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Rene:
I'm attempting to get an authoritative answer from an author who thoroughly researched your question. See a copy of my e-mail below:
Today at 8:09 PM
D. M.
I'm in Texas without a copy of Marckini's book. I would appreciate knowing what he says about the DISAVANTAGES of surgery in order to answer a wife's question she raised on YANA.
I hate to inconvenience you like this. but I would like to answer her question. She is particularly interested in the likelihood of ED if her husband opts for surgery.
Regards Don O.
P. S. Maybe another participant on this site can provide us with MarcKini's research findings on this topic.
Rene:
I asked Bob Marckini if he could help me respond to your question; his response appears below:
"Huge mistake to do surgery for a Gleason 3+3 in my non-medical opinion, Don. One thing they should consider is Active surveillance. With surgery, including (and maybe especially) DaVinci robotic surgery, the likelihood of impotence is about 75% and incontinence about 35%."
Mr Marckini also sent references to 17 technical articles describing outcomes of surgery and proton therapy. If there is any interest on your part I will do my best to see that you get them.
Regards Don O.
When I was diagnosed in early 2014 my wife and I went on a search for information. Talked to our family Doctor, a radiologist, a urologist (laperoscopic) a urolologist (robotic) and several friends who had been through what we were going through.
In our quest for information we found a book called "The Decision" by Doctor John McHugh. He is a urologist who had Prostate cancer. The book is not about Prostate cancer per se but is about how he made his decision on what treatment to undergo. His decision making process helped us reach a treatment plan that was the best for us ... and probably saved my life.
Through all of this process keep this in mind. What worked for your friend or other Prostate cancer patients might not work for you. You must know your cancer details, you must understand the benefits and risks of each treatment, you must know your underlying health issues and you must know what you are willing to live with.
Doctor McHugh's book will lead you through the process of making the best decision for you.
I have a couple of suggestions, from when I was in your situation in 2008. I'mow starting my 6th year following my Proton Radiation treatments and my PSA is 0.09. (You can find this also under my history page.)
I found a couple of books that were of great value to me. The first is by Robert Marckini, about Proton Radiation, which was my choice of treatment 6 years ago, and I went down to the Proton Center at the University of Florida at Jacksonville. Very powerful book which sent me in the right direction. Basically the proton beam travels only 1/2 of the way through the body, and when it reaches the target point in the prostate gland it explodes, instead of going completely through the body. A lame description I know but you can research a better definition.
Another book I examined was Dr. Patrick Walsh's Guide to Surviving Prostate Cancer. Written in 2001 and updated in 2007, I suggest this book as it is, or was, the bible regarding prostate surgery, and it provides a number of drawings of the prostate area which show how delicate this operation is. Beginning on page 273 of this 500 plus page book there are 8 drawings of the surgery required for the removal of the gland. I found it very sobering to see these drawings, believe me. And one other book from 2005 is a Primer on Prostate Cancer, written by Stephen B. Strum and Donna Pogliano.
