"The Book"

I am 3/4 of the way done with Patrick Walshs book "guide to Surviving Prostate Cancer. And now realized. Am reading the second edition published in 2007, and there is a third edition published in 2012. :-(

I'm sure a lot of guys here have read it. Is it worth my time downloading the third edition? I don't care about the $15, more about my time.
I know there have been advances from 2007 to 2012, but not sure if I want to go thru the whole book again to look for changes

Any feedback appreciated.

Pratoman -

Our own Purgatory (senior poster here on this forum) wrote up a good quick summary of the differences between the 2nd and 3rd editions of this book in a thread here a while back:

www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=35&m=2459378

(Especially see his post "Monday Evening Update").

Reading through his thread should give you a better idea of whether acquiring the 3rd edition is worthwhile.

I don't read books on PC myself for that reason. Even between the time they are written and they are published, there may be important changes in the field. Between 2007 and 2012 there were major changes - too many to summarize here. Since 2012, the FDA has approved Xtandi and Xofigo, and there has been improved knowledge of diagnostics and treatments (e.g., CHAARTED). I rely almost entirely on journal articles.

- Allen

Prato, I suggest a good John Grisham novel or such!

Cheers, Doug

Doug, point well taken. And I know you are 100% correct. But for whatever reason I just can't stop reading about the topic that I am currently focused on. I hope at some point I will get there mentally.

Thanks Favidand thanks for posting the review of the third edition, I did read it, and that entire thread. O am going to take your advix. I agree it's a very comprehensive primer. I also did not find it TOO biased. The ROS at hopkins were quoted many times in the book.

Prato - "Re "Invasion of the Prostate Snatchers" thanks Jim For the suggestion. I pretty much know Scholz's approach"

Glad to see you're still keeping an open mind...... Good luck tomorrow - hope your visit goes well.

Try keeping an open mind.....

Maybe because it is a surgery book, but surprised no mention of all in this thread at least (not sure about the book itself) of the advanced PCa drugs that were in the pipeline or new in 2012 and in the marketplace today like Zytiga, Xtandi, Xofigo, Provenge, etc..

As previously mentioned chemo had progressed from treatment of last resort to one that should be considered earlier thanks to the 16 or so months survival advantage.

LupronJim

Dr Patrick Walsh is best known for his pioneering work (25-years ago) in the development of what is formally known as "the anatomic approach to radical prostatectomy," which involves nerve-sparing techniques that have reduced the probability of impotence and incontinence.

His surgery techniques radically changed things.  Men with PC my grandfather's age (I'm mid-50's now) virtually all came out of surgery impotent, and very frequently incontinent.  The nerve-sparing technique has incrementally evolved and improved since then, but his work was revolutionary.

He wrote a book which is widely considered a comprehensive overview for newbies, but lacks is many areas some of which have been mentioned here already.  I think you've graduated beyond "newbie," Pratoman.

Perhaps more interesting is to understand Dr Walsh's contemporary perspectives...

In a big league (my phrase) panel discussion (with Drs. D'Amico, Carroll, Klotz and Walsh) on the topic of "Management of Early Stage Prostate Cancer," (like you have, Pratoman), at the 2010 AUA Meeting, Walsh famously commented:

     "If you are going to do an unnecessary operation, it is important that you do it well." 

Pick a good surgeon, Pratoman.

 

Pratoman said... Jack, I assume by your comment you are a fan of AS or radiation for treatment of early stage PC, and that the operation may be an unnecessary one? No, your assumption above is incomplete.   Active surveillance (AS) is not a treatment for prostate cancer. It is a means by which to manage risk for prostate cancer progression in men with low-risk disease.  AS is a means by which to defer unnecessary treatment indefinitely (forever), or until it becomes necessary (for the subset of men for whom it will become necessary ). Also, both radiation and surgery fall into the common category of “aggressive treatments.” I’m a “fan” of pursuing the appropriate course of action for each unique case.   Too often today physicians resort to treating (radiation or surgery) every man with PC as though they will die from it , although the vast majority of them are not in danger of dying.   I do not feel I am sticking my neck out far in saying that based on everything you know about your case so far, you are not in danger of dying of PC. I’m a "fan" of gathering the appropriate data, then making a data-driven, evidence-based decision.   You are, on the one hand, on the right path for a low-risk man to have a mp-MRI done (did I read that correct, that you are scheduled for mp-MRI?) so that THEN you can make a proper decision.   You seem, however, to have made a decision for aggressive treatment BEFORE having the appropriate data.   (Although, I’ve been out of town for a while, and maybe something transpired while I was out that I haven’t picked-up on...I scanned a few threads, but certainly didn't read them all.)   Post Edited (JackH) : 12/7/2014 11:53:54 AM (GMT-7)

Let me save you the money on Walsh's book(s).

There are many ways to deal with pc, but only one is the correct way. Want to guess which?

FWIW, even in the event that your biggest worries come true (which for the record, is highly doubtful), you still have very little risk of dying of PC and you will still be able to walk your daughter down the aisle at her wedding. (Well, unless maybe she's only 8 right now...)

Michael_T said...
FWIW, even in the event that your biggest worries come true (which for the record, is highly doubtful), you still have very little risk of dying of PC and you will still be able to walk your daughter down the aisle at her wedding. (Well, unless maybe she's only 8 right now...)

Nice that you remembered that I said that thing about my daughter . It was quite a few posts ago. BTW she just turned 32. It's time.