Prostate Cancer

[mustang-3537]

I'm 55, not 70, but got diagnosed with stage 2 prostate cancer last year. At my age it was recommended that the prostate be removed. Oct last year, I had it removed, April this year the middle incision broke loose and my intestines shot out. I had to have hernia surgery where they found a dense mass the size of a tennis ball, but did not remove it. I had surgery yesterday morning to drain the mass, which had grown to the size of a baseball and turned out to me Lymphatic fluid. I have been in constant pain the past month, and have lost about 50k in deductibles/lost wages in the past 2+ years.
At your age, if the Doc recommends sitting back and watching it for a few years, I highly agree. Prostate cancer is VERY slow growing, and could take decades to present a problem...Not knowing how advanced your cancer already is makes it hard to give any advice. I know I've been through HELL since the day they told me it was cancer.

Wow. You are a strong minded man. Thank you for sharing.

 

[GeauxLSU]

I am 71, have had about a dozen fraternity brothers with prostate cancer. Every one of them except one had surgery, most are doing well, 2 are under continuing care, hormone therapy. The one who didn't do surgery had radium seed implants about 5 years ago, he is still doing OK.

If I was in the OPs position I would chose the robotic/DaVinci surgery, very good outcomes, with much less stress, disruption of your system.

Get second/third opinions, knowledge is power, make an informed decision.

One brother has passed, but he waited until it had spread to his bones. He was macho, "no doctor gonna stick his finger up MY ass". Well, Bob, that was true, but in the end he was reduced to a whimper, begging doctors at Barnes Hospital in St. Louis for pain meds in his final days.

4 close to me, but younger at the time than op, all opted for surgery. They are all cancer free some now going on 20 years.

 

[mustang-3537]

My Dad was diagnosed with stage one I think at around 76 years old. They said wait and watch. Mean while he was recommended to a specialist in Florida, I think his name is Dr. Patel, Indian guy I think. Anyway he had surgery by laparoscopy through the belly button area. The cancer had grown to stage 3 and started to attach to organs. They did get it all and around 18 months later at this point is continued to be cancer free. He says every thing still functions as it should, he's just not going to father anymore children at this point. He's currently 79 years old now.
If you need anymore help, let me know and I'll try to get exact information.

Thank you for sharing. I hope your Dad does well.

 

[Psilloh1]

So I am in Medicine... There are Several schools of thought. It depends on your PSA and how aggressive your cancer is. Tradionally you start with:

1. A biopsy along with PSA determines Surgical vs Surveillance option
2. Treatment options are varied and based in consultations with your MD
3. Based on your Cancer and PSA score, it can be as simple as watching
4. Surveillance means it is early and they will do PSA every 6 months
5. They then can choose brachytherapy in conjunction with Radiation
6. They can do Surgical radical prostatectomy with radiation
7. They can do partial robotic prostatectomy with radiation.

Here’s what I want to leave you with... It is not if we all get prostate cancer but most likely when... Please take away that this does not mean it is terminal. If someone put a gun to my head and said pick a cancer it would be this.. If caught early you will live a long life. It is not the sentence that others get with Lung, Liver, Brain, Bone or Pancreatic.

Feel free to PM me anytime day or night. I would be more than glad to to talk live...

 

[mustang-3537]

4 close to me, but younger at the time than op, all opted for surgery. They are all cancer free some now going on 20 years.

Thank you for sharing that insight. Especially the DaVinci surgery option. I will read up on that.

 

[GeauxLSU]

Thank you for sharing that insight. Especially the DaVinci surgery option. I will read up on that.

Only one of the 4 had the DaVinci. It wasn't available at the time for the other 3. He had it only about 3 or so years ago. His recuperation was SIGNIFICANTLY less lengthy. Matter of fact, the others were mad at him.

 

[geezer]

If I was in the OPs position I would chose the robotic/DaVinci surgery, very good outcomes, with much less stress, disruption of your system.

Get second/third opinions, knowledge is power, make an informed decision.

I did DaVinci Robot. My PSA is now 0.0....Other complications, but I appear to be cancer free right now.


I forgot to add that I am perfectly normal now(as much as I was before)...Zero leakage, Zero erectile disfunction. Those two were VERY important to me after the cancer was gone.

 

[mustang-3537]

So I am in Medicine... There are Several schools of thought. It depends on your PSA and how aggressive your cancer is. Tradionally you start with:

1. A biopsy along with PSA determines Surgical vs Surveillance option
2. Treatment options are varied and based in consultations with your MD
3. Based on your Cancer and PSA score, it can be as simple as watching
4. Surveillance means it is early and they will do PSA every 6 months
5. They then can choose brachytherapy in conjunction with Radiation
6. They can do Surgical radical prostatectomy with radiation
7. They can do partial robotic prostatectomy with radiation.

Here’s what I want o leave you with... It is not if we all get prostate cancer but most likely when... Please take away that this does not mean it is terminal. If someone put a gun to my head and said pick a cancer it would be this.. If caught early you will live a long life. It is not the sentence that others get with Lung, Liver, Brain, Bone or Pancreatic.

Feel free to PM me anytime day or night. I would be more than glad to o talk live...

Thank you for sharing. Lots of info. My PSA came back 4.2. Slowly climbed each yearly physical. 4/12 biopsy cam back positive.

 

[mustang-3537]

I did DaVinci Robot. My PSA is now 0.0....Other complications, but I appear to be cancer free right now.

Great. I like to hear about success. Hope I can say that soon.

 

[Psilloh1]

I did DaVinci Robot. My PSA is now 0.0....Other complications, but I appear to be cancer free right now.

Intuitive is the Company Davinci is the Robot... Their stock is about $530 a share after a 3/1 split... 10 years ago it was maybe $100 bucks a share...

They are a great company...