Why isn't the prostate always removed?

mikee219

Regular Member

Joined : Jan 2009

Posts : 53

Posted 1/12/2009 11:20 PM (GMT 0)

Hi all,

I haven't gotten that far in my research. I would think that it would be beneficial in every case to take the darn thing out. Don't cancer cells keep spreading from it or is it (the prostate) so far gone by that point that it can't hurt you any more than it already has?

Thanks for info on this and thanks again to everyone who responded yesterday. It really got me out of my depression.

Mike

livinadream

Veteran Member

Joined : Apr 2008

Posts : 1382

Posted 1/12/2009 11:37 PM (GMT 0)

Mike I to wondered about this prior to my surgery. Then it was explained to me that once it spread there was no benefit to removing it so why put you through the side effects of incontinence. I actually had this exact situation happen. During surgery a lymph node disection was performed it came back positive in three nodes and the surgery was aborted. I support this thinking however there are doctors that say there is benefit to removing it. I say it is a personal decision. Hope this helps.

peace and love
dale

Purgatory

Elite Member

Joined : Oct 2008

Posts : 25448

Posted 1/12/2009 11:48 PM (GMT 0)

Mike, the way Dale just described is exactly what my own dr/surgeon told me when I asked that question early on. If the PC is contained within the prostate, then obviously in most case it makes best sense to remove the entire gland so that it can't spread. Hope you are feeling better about things.

David in SC

mikee219

Regular Member

Joined : Jan 2009

Posts : 53

Posted 1/12/2009 11:57 PM (GMT 0)

Thanks David. The support I got last night was incredible. I felt so much better as I was reading and responding to posts. There is a lot of love and caring here.

Mike

Tony Crispino

Veteran Member

Joined : Dec 2006

Posts : 8160

Posted 1/13/2009 12:00 AM (GMT 0)

Well there is more compelling evidence to remove a prostate in later stages, now. We had this discussion just the other day about debulking a tumor. But it isn't just debulking anymore, evidence is showing that removing a prostate can help delay the onset of refractory disease. Refractory means, Mike, that the cancer no longer reponds to hormone therapy. But, you still need more information, and get that pathology report and post the facts about that tumor. We'll point you to some good reading.

Peace,

Tony

mikee219

Regular Member

Joined : Jan 2009

Posts : 53

Posted 1/13/2009 12:02 AM (GMT 0)

Thanks, Tony. Will do

Peace.

Mike

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