Newly Diagnosed, Sharing My Research Notes, Getting Robotic Surgery

[jazj]

I know there are probably many others on here more knowledgeable but for what it's worth, I wanted to share my research notes from probably about 100 hours of reading in hopes that someone now or in the near future might find them as a useful adjunct to their own research. I feel I got a really good handle on understanding the whole situation now and can communicate with Specialists on a very technical level and gain additional confidence in my treatment decision(s). Not intended to start any debates on topics just want to try to give others starting on their journey with PCa ideas of things they might want to look into themselves.

drive.google.com/file/d/18Q...

My profile should show my background but I'll copy it here. In a nutshell I'm Gleason Grade 3+4 with all scans (Bone CT, 3T mpMRI and latest PMSA PET scan technology) showing nothing outside the capsule. But with a PSA 31. Urologist says I may be a "Red Herring" as he expected to see more on the highly sensitive PMSA PET Scan with that high of a PSA. At my age, 53, Robotic Prosatectomy appears to be the wise choice as a first course of action hopefully nerve sparing. Having it done by Dr. Lin (Chief of Urology) at University of Washington (aka Seattle Cancer Care Alliance) who does 20+ of these a month.

I am still considering going to California (UCLA / UCSF) where they have the Single Port Davinci instead of the Multiport. However my conclusion thus far consulting with two Urologists is they think the benefit of single port doesn't really justify the hassle of traveling. The additional small scars are not a concern as I virtually never go shirtless in public and when I do, I'm in the pool or ocean. The main benefit appears to be because it's a little less invasive, the recovery is moderately easier meaning, first few days a little less pain and the single port is typically done as an outpatient where multi-port they like to keep you in the hospital for a night (at least at UW). All other outcomes are basically the same from what I understand thus far.

[bkjamjets]

Thanks for your post jazj ! I haven’t had my first biopsy yet and I’m lurking here educating myself. Currently with J Corman at Virgina Mason, and of course will end up at UW/SCCA for at least a second opinion. We’ll see. I’ll check your link out, Ben

[MNFarmBoy in reply to bkjamjets]

I suggest you also read the reply from Tall_Allen to an ~identical posting in the "Advanced Prostate Cancer" forum, pointing out the poor success rate for nerve sparing RP, at (copy & paste URL into browser):

healthunlocked.com/advanced...

(I was surprised to not see such a reply from Tall_Allen here, so I searched further, and found the above.)

Best wishes for a good outcome!

[Aodh]

Thanks for taking the time to share, it’s appreciated. The Google link doesn’t work, if you intended to share that also.

Hugh

[leach234]

Robert Reiter at UCLA is an excellent surgeon. So is Thomas Ahlering at UCI in Orange, CA. Both world class.

[Hiker64]

Jazj, I can tell you that I had the multi-port surgery and felt no pain from the additional incisions or even from the larger one at my navel. Believe me, the catheter will get your undivided attention! As for scarring, I'm 9 months out and I can't see the smaller incisions at all and can barely see the navel one. My prostate was 35 cc so maybe the navel incision was smaller but I'm thinking with a single port it would have to be larger. One word of advice,,,they had me eat something right after my surgery as a prerequisite for going home. Go very light on that! When they do any type of surgery that disturbs your digestive tract it sometimes goes dormant for a couple of days. Anything you eat wants to come back up. I had a very miserable night and day afterwards trying not to vomit. Best of luck to you!

[dentaltwin in reply to Hiker64]

My experience mirrors yours. The scars were insignificant, and now (3 1/2 years post-surgery) I really would have to search for that navel scar. Interestingly though, the port wound by my navel itched quite significantly for a few months.