CNN ARTICLE

[luvbunda41]

Did anyone read the latest article about prostatectomys. It basically said surgery should be done only in extreme cases. The research concluded that only 1 out of 41 men will die from prostate cancer. I suspected this all along. Doctors!

[PerPlexedGuy]

I agree whole heartedly, the whole reason I think that they don't bring up that only 30% of guys that go through a so called "nerve sparing prostatectomy" is because no one would get it done and probably live with the condition or look for other alternative treatments, I know I would have and definitely not had the surgery!

[CHPA]

in my humble opinion, cancer of any variety is an extreme case and a 1 in 41 chance of dying is hardly trivial.

I had surgery three years ago at age 57. It was the right choice and everything is fine now.

[luvbunda41 in reply to CHPA]

I agree with you but they should have given me the right to choose, not tell me I had less than 5 years to live. It is my life not theirs. I should have made the decision myself.

[CHPA]

I’m not sure where you are writing from nor your diagnosis. I’m my observation, I’m the US, doctors can’t tell you what procedure you get and don’t get. The patient decides. Now your comfort in male such a technical decision involves how much you trust your doctor and how much research you choose to do. I for one, felt fine with my decision three years ago and I’m done with it now. And if 5 or 20 years in the future the procedures change then fine. I’m comfortable I made the right decision when I made it.

[luvbunda41 in reply to CHPA]

I am writing from Los Angeles. My Dr. gave me the impression that death was imminent. (It was not). He told me I had 5 years left. (I did not). Even after I hesitated, he painted a scenario in which I would have died slowly. Years after the surgery, I spoke to another Dr. and he told me that based on his review of my chart, I would have lived another 20 years, without surgery. My Dr. did not tell me all the facts and for that I will never ever trust a Dr. with a medical decision in my life.

[CHPA in reply to luvbunda41]

I’m sorry you feel regret. Lots of good medical centers in LA. I’m in PA and likewise have choices. I spoke with several patients I knew and was comfortable with what my doc told me. But to anyone reading, do your own research

[PerPlexedGuy in reply to luvbunda41]

Amen, I agree

[PerPlexedGuy]

I wish that this information would have been available in 2019 before I had my prostatectomy surgery, it would have never been done! I feel that the medical community kept this information from being known because a lot of guy's would have felt the same way.

[JRPnSD]

Not exactly. Having my prostate removed...probably saved me. GL9 and entering at Stage 4 (PC in lymph nodes). I did this to remove the major source of PC...mainly contained... recurrence occured in 6 months and PSA was doubling monthly. ADT brought me to undetectable....radiation added a level of agressive treatment needed.....and now 4 years later....no ADT for over a year...and no PSA. I wouldn't have done anything different. I am alive...I get erections...have sex...normal energy and activities. Thankful it was an option as part of getting me here. It wasn't easy...but I needed a plan with a back-up. I worked hard to get here. I am now a volunteer patient advocate and advocate for everyone being educated...and having choices. No silver bullets here. F#ck Cancer!

[man0 in reply to JRPnSD]

Out of curiosity, may I ask your age (at time of surgery)?

And, what % would you say your erections are compared with your pre-surgery ones? (I recently watched a short video from Prostate Cancer Foundation where one doctor said a typical patient, if his erections returned at all, could see 70-80% of pre-surgery ones. I was very surprised mostly because I had never heard any "statistic" like this before from any medical authority.)

[luvbunda41]

you get erections. Your medical team deserves an award. Who did your surgery. My erection ended the day after my surgery at the age of 49

[Cancer2x in reply to luvbunda41]

Ditto. No erections from day of surgery, likewise at age 49. Over 27 years ago. My doc never even mentioned the catheter for a few weeks after surgery, (that was quite a surprise!), let alone impotence or any penile rehab. I trust any doctor today about as far as I can throw a grand piano.

[luvbunda41 in reply to Cancer2x]

Some Dr’s are terrible

[Martiniolives]

There have been many times I rethink the robotic surgery I had 5 years ago. If I had to do it again I’d consider Cyberknife. I think I was “scared” into thinking just remove the cancer. Since then I have experienced incontinence and virtually get no erections. I miss ejaculating semen . I get orgasms but they are not like the ones where you cum. Guys out there before the surgery explore options get several opinions

[Tom-slick]

Depends on the cancer. If you have a fast growing type of cancer, and a high Gleason score, then I would definitely seek treatment. Once the cancer gets outside the wall of the Prostate you really jeprodize your mortality. Nerve sparing robotic surgery was my choice. My sex life is pretty good for 78 years of age… once a week. In many aspects, never better. Trimix keeps me in working order.