experience ?

Hi PWS1,

I can't answer for your choice, but the experienced ones here place a lot of value on the particular surgeon, how many procedures, outcomes, comments from patients. I've been able to find good general info on surgeons and # of procedures done, but, not so much on outcomes or side effects.

As a lot here have said, losing the cancer is #1, choosing a procedure based on desired outcomes I don't think is as important as the rep of the surgeons or...getting clear of the cancer.

I'm a newbie here. Search out the experienced posters. A wealth of info here. I'm only starting to it figure some things out.

PS: Ever have a problem with pain in the perineum? Mine's been excruciating at times.

M

To me Mr 400 sounds experienced enough. However if you decide to wait for Mr 1500, it's unlikely to make your condition any worse. PCa is generally slow growing and a two or three-month delay is unlikely to make a difference. Gives you a little more time to enjoy what you have left!

I'm a bird-in-the-hand guy, so I'd go with Mr 400 -- provided everything else stacks up.

Mikey -- sometimes I have a pain in the ass, but it's not medical

Dear PWS 1:

Pertaining specificically to your question regarding experience, thie info below is copied and pasted from a topic I posted in November.  Statistically speaking, this would indicate that your 400+ guy probably has the requisite experience.  However, the real question is your confidence in his ability to do the job for you.  Also, with your Gleason and PSA hopefully you have taken the time to explore all treatment options.

Tudpock

I subscribe to John Hopkins health alerts on "Prostate Disorders".  The following is quoted from today's bulletin and emphasizes what many veteran HW members have advised re surgical experience:

The importance of surgeon's experience as it relates to prostate cancer outcome is underscored by the results of a study reported in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute (volume 99, page 1171).

Researchers analyzed the outcomes of 7,765 radical prostatectomies performed by 72 surgeons between January 1987 and December 2003 at four major academic medical centers. "Biochemical" recurrence was defined as a postsurgery PSA level greater than 0.4 ng/mL followed by a subsequent higher PSA level. The analysis took into account patient and tumor characteristics, such as pre-operative PSA level and Gleason grade. The men's PSA levels were measured every three to four months in the first year after surgery, twice in the second year, and annually during the following years.

The researchers found that surgical outcomes improved along with the number of radical prostatectomies a surgeon had performed, leveling off only after about 250 surgeries. The five-year probability of experiencing a recurrence of prostate cancer was 18% for surgeons who had performed only 10 operations compared with 11% for surgeons who had performed at least 250 surgeries.

Bottom line on prostate cancer surgery: The results suggest that you can improve your odds of a successful outcome from radical prostatectomy by taking time to find a surgeon with extensive experience.

My surgeon actually did 4 surgeries the day he did mine. He is now over 1500. I have mixed emotions about assembly line mentality. Ultimately, I decided that the reason he was able to do that is because of his skill and the demand for his services. I would say regarding him that he was always a gentleman that seemed in every respect to be genuinely concerned. He is also a young man (around 40), extremely bright, knowledgeable, and of course obviously very capable of handling DiVinci equipment as second nature.

There was a local DiVinci guy where I live that had done about 500 at the time I chose my surgeon. I am very sure either one would have been fine, I went with the one I went with because of his reputation. I decided he is able to do what he does and maintain an impeccable reputation because he is that good. I do think you must be very convinced, not just OK with the person who works on you. I felt at the time of my surgery and still do that I went with the best. I wish you blessings in your decision - I know it is hard and whatever you decide will be fine.

bump for chinito

thanks for bumping up the thread...how do i find out the drs reputation other than from what he says...the dr has quite the bio, but only 50 davincis...