At stage T2A, what procedure, knowing there is a risk of the cancer moving to other organs, would you do?
Radical Prostatectomy - 85.7% - 6 votes
Interstitial Brachytheropy - 14.3% - 1 votes
Posted 2/4/2007 9:06 PM (GMT 0)
February 4, 2007
Hello to all.......
This is my very first time of writing on this website. I have found it to be very informative so far.
I was diagnosed as having prostate cancer two weeks ago. I am in the process of trying to decide between two plans of action to get this under control.
My Gleason score is 3 * 3 and my stage is T2A and my age is 55.
The first plan is for radical prostatectomy for which I understand involves a four day hospital stay, not driving for four weeks and being off work for quite some time.
The second plan of action is for interstitial brachytherapy but I can not find out much information on this.
I have read lots of books and have checked out quite a few websites, however, there is just not much info stating short term and long term side effects. I do know it is done as an outpatient but I do not have much information other than that.
So, those of you that are in the know, please write me back and give me the pros and cons.
Thank you.......Santa Soccer Mac
biker90
Veteran Member
Joined : Nov 2006
Posts : 1465
Posted 2/4/2007 9:28 PM (GMT 0)
Hello Mac,
Sorry you have to be here but this is a great for support and information.
Several of us have had "open" surgeries and other have had the robotic surgeries. I chose "open" because I wanted the doc to get up close and personal with my problem without going through any intervening technology. That way he could apply all his experience and skill directly to my problem. My wife and I were very comfortable with my doctor. He was open and honest about my prognosis, answered all our questions without talking down to us and explained all our options without downplaying any of them. It worked very well!
I didn't lose enough blood to require a transfusion. I was in the hospital for less that 2 days, had very little pain, had the catheter out after 6 days and could hold my pee as soon as the catheter was removed. I went back to work teaching math part-time in less than 4 weeks. This has been my experience and I'm sure that others will share theirs.
Once you make your decision on a treatment option, don't look back. On the day my wife and I decided on RRP all the fear and doubt vanished. We concentrated on building and maintaining a positive attitude. That is all we can take with us into the OR.
Good luck and all our prayers and hopes are with you...
Jim
bluebird
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Joined : May 2006
Posts : 2543
Posted 2/4/2007 9:28 PM (GMT 0)
Santa Soccer Mac & Family,
A “Special” Warm Welcome to You!
I know we can “all” make Your Journey smoother just by being here for you!
This is truly a great forum!!! ~ You have joined! You are now part our forum family ~ a group of wonderful individuals who are so willing to share their journey with you!
It helps “all of us” ~ to help you ~ if we know where you are on your path.
So ~ Please stay with us and take our hand when you need it! Keep posting.... OKAY!!
KNOWLEDGE IS POWER... and POWER conquers fear
YOU MAKE THE DECISIONS… YOU HAVE OPTIONS…
~ and ~
Your decision will be the right decision for you!!!
We invite you to visit our personal thread listed in our Signature below…
This will let you know why we responded with a vote for Radical Prostatectomy.
Our thoughts and prayers will be with you as you continue your search for answers…
In Friendship ~ Lee & Buddy
“God Bless You”
It's a little prayer ~ "God Bless You"
...but it means so much each day,
It means may angels guard you
and guide you on your way.
(Direct Link ~ just click on the title below and a new window will open!
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Helpful Hints for New Members... Hope this helps you! :) Updated 02-05-2007
spinbiscuit
Veteran Member
Joined : Apr 2006
Posts : 818
Posted 2/4/2007 9:38 PM (GMT 0)
Welcome macsoccer1,
Have you considered the daVinci procedure? It reqiures only a day or two in the hospital, recovery time is less than half of what you mentioned, and will likely not involve a blood transfussion. In my opinion the daVinci procedure will soon become the gold standard for Prostate Surgeries to echo the opinon of another member of our group. Others will also offer their sage advice shortly. I wish you the best of luck on your search.
Glen
lawink
Veteran Member
Joined : Oct 2006
Posts : 621
Posted 2/4/2007 9:54 PM (GMT 0)
Hi there and welcome!
At your "tender age" of 55, I'd be in favor of either open surgery or the da Vinci to get the cancer out; get a pathology report and get on with life which in this day and age should then be extended by 25 or more years.
Good luck and keep us posted as to your decision and date of procedure.
;o) Linda & Bob
naimnut
Regular Member
Joined : Jan 2007
Posts : 93
Posted 2/4/2007 11:05 PM (GMT 0)
Soccer Mac,
Here is another vote for da vinci. You don't mention where you are, geographically, so that could be a factor.
Markus
Posted 2/5/2007 1:51 AM (GMT 0)
THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR INPUT ...BUT THE DA VINCI WAS NOT EVEN TOLD TO ME. WELL IT IS TIME FOR ME TO DO SOME MORE HOMEWORK. I LIVE IN OHIO BETWEEN CLEVELAND AND COLUMBUS..
HAVE A BLESSED DAY.
SOCCER MAC
Tamu
Veteran Member
Joined : Oct 2006
Posts : 626
Posted 2/5/2007 3:51 AM (GMT 0)
macsoccer1,
Welcome to the forum. The majority of us here have gone the surgery route so you may get limited info on Brachytherapy here. If you have not been there go to www.yananow.net and when you enter the site go to Mentor Experiences. Scroll down and you will find the stories of men that have elected treatment for PC. These are listed by type of treatment and there are several that have gone the Brachytherapy road. As to surgery, I was told not to drive for two weeks. I was in the hospital for a total of 30 hours, not days. I was up and walking 6 hours after getting to my room from recovery. I had no pain and never took any pain medication. On the second day after surgery I walked half a mile. The next day it was a mile but that was too much and I was exhausted. While the Da Vinci has many benefits the one thing you have to watch out for is that you feel well enough to do things but you still had major surgery and while on the outside it does not appear that way on the inside there are a lot of things going on in the healing process. Do your research and educate yourself. Get second, third or more opinions on a specific method of treatment. Once you decide on a course of treatment get a provider of that treatment that you have total confidence in. The key for you is to know that the cancer you have is curable.
Tamu
PianoMan
Regular Member
Joined : Feb 2007
Posts : 365
Posted 2/5/2007 4:47 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Mac Soccer-- I suggest that you purchase Dr. Peter Scradino's Prostate Book. Dr. Scardino is a renowned prostate surgeon from Memorial Sloan Kettering. his book is very informative and discusses all the options out there,. I found it very helpful and encouraging when I was going through the acrobatics of deciding how I wanted to treat my PC.
Best of luck in your decision.
snowman
New Member
Joined : Feb 2007
Posts : 4
Posted 2/5/2007 5:00 AM (GMT 0)
Check out Dr. Patel at the Ohio State University James Cancer Center in Columbus.
bluebird
Veteran Member
Joined : May 2006
Posts : 2543
Posted 2/5/2007 8:18 PM (GMT 0)
Hi~ Santa Soccer Mac,
Check this Thread out...... very good information!
(direct link ~ just click on the title! Reminder to click on the REFRESH icon once there)
JustJulie's Brachytherapy Journey
M. Kat
Veteran Member
Joined : Jul 2006
Posts : 715
Posted 2/6/2007 3:14 PM (GMT 0)
Soccer Mac, now I'm throwing in another option - proton therapy. http://www.protonbob.com/proton-treatment-homepage.asp. Jeff chose to have radical (open) surgery because he wanted the prostate out of there and his doctor had it a few years ago. he was very comfortable with his doctor and the hospital was only an hour away. he was out of the hospital 36 hours after surgery and returned to work 12 days later. he also did not need to take pain medication. take your time and remember that this is the hardest part - making your decision. God bless, kat
Posted 2/7/2007 2:51 AM (GMT 0)
WE WENT TO THE SURGEON TODAY AND FOUND OUT MY PSA WAS A 5.2 BACK IN OCTOBER BUT THAT THE CANCER HAS PROGRESSED. THIS SURGEON DOES THE SEED IMPLANTS BUT WOULD NOT EVEN TALK about THE IMPLANTS AND WE THINK HE FEELS THAT WE NEED TO TAKE A MORE ACTIVE APPROACH. HE MENTIONED DR. PATEL IN COLUMBUS WITH THE DA VINCI SYSTEM OR HAVING THE TOTAL PROSTATE REMOVED SURGICALLY IN THE STANDARD WAY. SO THEY ARE IN THE PROCESS OF GETTING ME AN APPOINTMENT IN THE NEAR FUTURE WITH DR. PATEL.
THE BOOK BY DR. WALSH DOES NOT MENTION THIS DA VINCI SYSTEM AT ALL..........IS THAT BECAUSE THE PROCEDURE IS TOO NEW? ARE THERE ANY BOOKS OUT THERE ON JUST THE DA VINCI PROCEDURE?
THE DOCTOR SAID TODAY THAT IF I AM NOT HAVING ERECTION RESPONSES BEFORE SURGERY THAT I WILL NOT HAVE ANY ERECTION RESPONSES AFTER SURGERY. IS THIS TRUE?
IS IS NORMAL TO HAVE SO MANY MOOD SWINGS RIGHT NOW?
IT IS A VERY CONFUSING TIME FOR ME RIGHT NOW AND I WOULD APPRECIATE ANY INPUT THAT YOU MAY HAVE! THANKS!
SOCCER SANTA MAC