I wanted to give everyone an update since many of you asked for one, and you all were so helpful and concerned. I got a second opinion and it basicly verified the first opinion. Surgery seems to be the option for my age (low 50's) with the chance of a long life. Little blue pills will be the order of the day to keep blood flow (use it or loose it) if and when natural function comes back. I could choose to have nothing done but I would be dead in about 10 to 15 years, as per the DR. So I will still be here after the surgery and wait for the healing before I test the waters again. Thanks again for all the support and warm wishes, You all are the best.
Good luck, silvertongue1, I don't want to confuse the issue but feel you should have another perspective. My brother-in-law, who's just turned 65, was diagnosed with prostate cancer nearly ten years ago. He really studied the options and, given the potential side effects, he opted not to have surgery. He tried nutritional therapy for a while, administered by a real MD, not a quack, which may have helped. Bottom line, his cancer has not grown or spread and his PSAs are fine. He believes that, given the advances in surgical treatment, he was wise to wait as long as possible, hoping for a completely side-effects-free proceedure. The disease is much less agressive when it first presents, and it's when/if it recurs that it's most nasty. So you may have a while to wait, if you choose to. In any case, best of luck and I hope not to have added to any confusion but felt obligated to share what I know.
As far as the robot surgery, they cannot save the nerves as they are in a membrane over the prostate so if the cancer is on one side they hav eto take the nerves there also in case the cancer has spread to the membrane. The recovery time is about the same, inspite of what robotics tell you. Puck, That info is great and I hope everyone at least considers it, I would under other circumstances, but, too many doctors in the family harping on me.
You should absolutely consider the robot, in of course very experienced hands. Two acquaintances have had prostatectomies by the head of urology at the Indiana University Med School. "He said (approximately) "I've done 1500 by hand and now 2000 with the robot. There's no doubt that the robot is better than I am.'
The Mayo is not an option, sorry. As far as the robot vs hand surgery, with hands on surgery, the surgeon can feel for any abnormalities that the robot cannot. Also in a survey of patients post surgery, 40% of robot patients were dissatified with the procedure. I know that some of that is swayed because some Dr.s will steer a patient to robotics to make a number. I know someone who had it done and they didnot get all the cancer and now he is on hormone therapy for the rest of his life. Thanks again for the imput.
Ok, That sounds dirty. But, in all seriousness I have done. Many, Many prostate surgeries, The good ol fashioned way and with the robot..
A few things to remember. Dying because you want to protect what you percieve as offending your man hood is not ever worth it... What you have going on is very treatable...
The surgeons that use the robot are amazing. it is a very minimally evasive surgery. As far as surgery goes.. Most surgeons are guys and they get it..They work very hard at protecting all things that are important to you as a man.. I promise you that your recovery time will be less then you expect and more then you expect.. At the end of the day.. well worth saving your life................
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