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Prostate Cancer
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Posted 10/4/2007 1:50 AM (GMT 0)

My husband was recently diagnosed with prostate cancer. We have a wonderful doctor (Dr. L. Bans) and were thinking originally of having the radical prostatectomy. We would like to also meet with a physician in the Phoenix area who has extensive experience in the da Vinci robotic surgery. He will recommend, as well, but we'd like to hear from those here who found success in robotic in Phoenix. Does anyone have suggestions.

3.4=7. Gleason 7. Throughout prostate. PSA 8.5.

Livingthedream

Posted 10/4/2007 5:01 AM (GMT 0)
Hi   ~   livingthedream,   Caring Enough to Share….. A    “Special”   Warm Welcome   to   You!     This is truly a great forum!!! And we hope you will join us on this road to HealingWell …..   KNOWLEDGE IS POWER... and POWER conquers fear   We gain knowledge from members like you.   Willing to share their experiences so we can pull what we need to make our journey smoother.   As your time permits…. Please ~ share with us the path you took to get you where you are today.     v           bluebird ~   Co- Moderator for Prostate Cancer Forum http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb179/mamabluebird1955/mamabluebirdWelcome.jpg v           IdahoSurvivor ~   Co- Moderator for Prostate Cancer Forum http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1160/1313099593_9f819e3ff8.jpg     (Direct Link ~ just click on the title below and a new window will open! Reminder … click on the REFRESH icon once you get there) Prostate Cancer Resources, Helpful Hints, and Topic Thread Links (Located at the top of the Prostate Forum : )
Posted 10/4/2007 5:08 AM (GMT 0)

Hi livingthedream,

A very warm welcome to you!  I think the key factor to the da Vinci robotic surgery, as with any surgery, is the experience of the surgeon.  If you feel comfortable with the number of surgeries and low rate of complications, you should be pretty good to go.  My surgeon was very experienced and comfortable with the robotic surgery.  However, if she was more comfortable with another form of laparoscopic or open surgery, I may have gone that direction because of my trust in my surgeon and due to the recommendations I received for her from peers not in her office.

All the best in your decision making!

Perhaps someone will "chime in" here soon with recommendations for the Phoenix area.

All the best,

Idaho 


Posted 10/4/2007 12:52 PM (GMT 0)
I appreciate your comments and have heard from others that one's confidence in the surgeon, no matter which method, can be equally important if not more important to the type of surgery selected. I'm one of the type A personalities. Is it possible to do too much research? Also, when I read on the forums, "confined to prostate," I'm a little confused. We have another meeting to review the CT/bone scans and discuss our treatments, is that when we'll learn if it is confined, or is that really learned when the surgery is performed?

Livingthedream
Posted 10/5/2007 3:09 AM (GMT 0)

Hi livingthedream,

The pathology report from the original biopsy will indicate whether or not the doctor reading the slide believes that there was invasion of the tumor beyond the prostate.  However, the ONLY way anyone "knows" if there has been tumor penetration beyond the prostate is to have surgery.  Following surgery there will be a deep pathology of the prostate and it will indicate detectable invasion or not beyond the prostate.  Even this post-op report cannot guarantee there was no invasion, but the odds are very high that the cancer has been fully removed if the margins of the prostate are negative for cancer.

When you have radiation therapy as opposed to surgery, the prostate is effectively killed and the cancer along with it.  This is done by the doctor carefully estimating the extend of the tumor and protecting the body as much as possible outside of the prostate and focusing the radiation on the prostate and tumor.   Other's can "chime in" here, since I'm not an expert in the radiation therapy.

You're asking great questions, livingthedream.  Please continue to stay close and be engaged.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to you and your husband.

Kind regards,

Posted 10/5/2007 3:50 AM (GMT 0)
Thank you for your comments. I'm hoping to find the right da Vinci surgeon in Phoenix. We have a call in to Mayo here and am waiting. I'll keep reading!

Livingthedream
Posted 10/5/2007 3:54 AM (GMT 0)
Hey ~ The information (links) above are to help you get started on your journey. It is a journey best traveled with friends. Welcome ~ New Friend from all the members here... on HealingWell.com We are glad you found us... Stay Close and you will gain so much knowledge from the member's here who are so willing to share to make your journey a little smoother. Keep Reading!! In Friendship ~ Lee & Buddy
Posted 10/8/2007 9:38 PM (GMT 0)
Living the dream, Once a Doctor has performed some , they are usually on their own. It is pretty much standard for all of them. I think I was fortunate to have a surgeon who was training other surgeons in the procedure. I have heard of doctors assisting in five surgeries and then the doctor is doing them without assistant. I think you are bettter off to find a surgeon wgho has done maybe 75 or more. I don't think he has to have done 2000 to be proficient. Just my thoughts, keeping a ppositive attitude is very important in all of this. I am eight weeks post surgery and am working every day, DRY, w/ED and I don't know how long this will be, but my PSA is 0.000 and that is the important part at this time. God Bless and stay positive, Uncle Dan
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