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Prostate surgery surgeon questions

Posted , 7 users are following.

mark_fastco
mark_fastco

I have decided to get the surgery to take out my prostate but I am told that in order to get the best chances of retaining sexual function in minimizing nerve damage is by having a surgeon with a lot of experience obviously in this robotic surgery. Does anyone know the best way of locating the best surgeon and the most experienced?

0 likes, 13 replies

13 Replies

  • miketytus
    miketytus mark_fastco

    Posted

    Hi mark

    i we through this two years and selected guys hospital in London. There are several good surgeons there. I did a lot of research on the Internet and also asked my local GP.

    best of luck 

    mike

  • alfred5
    alfred5 mark_fastco

    Posted

    Hello. You can google best surgeons for prostate removal. But you will have ED to start with. Some people will get it back over time. I have seen many comments on the uk prostate cancer forum. There are lots of men on there sharing their experiences. Good luck.
  • Roger2Dodger
    Roger2Dodger mark_fastco

    Posted

    Where do you live? You can search the internet for a surgeon that does the da Vinci R obtic Surgery. As far the best surgeon, that would be a matter of opinion.
  • gale10132
    gale10132 mark_fastco

    Posted

    I know you said you have decided to have your prostate removed but have you given consideration to other options less evasive. Do you self a favor and read and study the pros and cons of each procedure. Do not immediately jump to removal.  Perhaps other options will be more benifitial to saving your sexual functions. I chose proton radiation and had no effect on sexual performance. 
    • barney34567
      barney34567 gale10132

      Posted

      What was your Gleason score?

      How long ago did you have proton therapy?

      have you had any PSA test since you completed proton therapy? And if so, what is your PSA?

       

    • gale10132
      gale10132 barney34567

      Posted

      My PSA increased gradually from 1.5 to 7.8 over five years. My Gleason was 6 / 4.3 with three core samples out of 12 showing cancer. I decided on proton due to what I felt was the lowest risk of after effects which worked out great. I had the treatment in Aug. 2014. My PSA went down to 4.5 after the treatment, then 2.4 after six months, and .98 after one year. It is now .48 at 18 months. It is expected to drop to around .2 at the two year period. I had the treatment at Univ. of Florida Proton Center which I recomment highly. 
    • barney34567
      barney34567 gale10132

      Posted

      Thank you for your reply. Did you say Gleason 3+3 or 4+3?

      I too am looking at proton therapy if  in case my biopsy confirms the MRI which indicates cancer. Did the proton therapy result in any sexual dysfunction?

      I haven't heard of university of Florida proton center, I only heard of and looked into Univ TX MD Anderson.

      good to hear you're doing well.

    • gale10132
      gale10132 barney34567

      Posted

      I have had no adverse effect on sexual dysfunction. I visited MD Anderson but chose UF Proton Center due to it being closer to me and their patient high service levels which was not the case with MD Anderson. UF Proton Center was very proactive in showing their center, helped with housing, entertainment and patient well being. We virtually had something to do each day. There were lunchs, dinners, tours, golf etc. to keep one busy. All activities were open to spouses. I cannot recommend them more highly. They are now treating many foreign patients and expecially young children but one proton bay is used just for prostate treatments. 
  • barney34567
    barney34567 mark_fastco

    Posted

    A) I agree with gale. Look at proton therapy. It apparantly helps you retain sexual function, unlike surgery. 

    For that matter look at other options too.

    B) For surgery, where I am, Australia, there is no evidence that robotic surgery has  a better outcome than open surgery. None. The only question you need ask is " which surgeon has operated countless times". A surgeon that has performed 200 open surgeries is to be preferred over someone who has done a dozen robotic surgeries.

    C) look at the alternatives to surgery before settling on surgery.

  • gale10132
    gale10132 mark_fastco

    Posted

    Mark, 

    I would also like to add that a good number of gentlemen that was going through proton radiation were fellows that had incurred surgery. If any cancerous tissue remains after surgery

    it has a good chance of coming back. 

  • charles61038
    charles61038 mark_fastco

    Posted

    Mark,

    You don't say what your PSA and gleason score is for your prostate cancer. And are you in a high risk group? I would agree that surgery would be your last choice... unless you have a very aggresive type of cancer. Did your urologist and/or primary care physician recommend sugery? You should explore all your alternatives. And there are many depending on the cancer you have. Cyberknife, Brachytherapy (low dose radiation seed implants), There is also the seed implants along with external beam radiation for more advanced cancer. Also Proton radiation, and external beam radiation. All treatments have some side effects, but most are temporary and tolerable. Do some research on all options. And no matter what treatment you choose, find doctors who have performed that treatment many times successfully. Good luck to you.

    Charles

  • miketytus
    miketytus mark_fastco

    Posted

    Hi mark

    there is no right answer to which treatment to have. I have had surgery by robotics and the only side effect is minor erectile dis function, this  is solved with a tablet. Be guided by you specialist and as previously stated pick a consultant who has done the procedure a number of times. I was my surgeons 1,000 operation.

    mike

    .

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