Guest guest Posted December 30, 2007 Report Share Posted December 30, 2007 I saw my urologist today- I was happy to get confirmation that my cancer is very early stage. The bad news was the doctor's recommendation that I not choose surgery because I am diabetic and overweight. Anyone here in similar circumstances? Happy New Year. Ari Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 30, 2007 Report Share Posted December 30, 2007 Ari Don't despair there are treatments such as Brachytherapy that have similar success rates, plus many see less complications and side effects. There are also newer ones like proton beam that those who have had it speak highly of, though it may be expensive and only available in a few places in the USA. Look through all the options, you have time to do so. PCa & diabetes I saw my urologist today- I was happy to get confirmation that my cancer is very early stage. The bad news was the doctor's recommendation that I not choose surgery because I am diabetic and overweight. Anyone here in similar circumstances?Happy New Year.Ari Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 30, 2007 Report Share Posted December 30, 2007 > I saw my urologist today- I was happy to get confirmation that my > cancer is very early stage. I'd suggest getting copies of the test results. The devil is in the details, not statements like " early stage. " > The bad news was the doctor's recommendation that I not choose > surgery because I am diabetic and overweight. Does " overweight " mean " obese? " If so, there seems to be a higher risk. See, Kristal AR et al., " Obesity and prostate cancer mortality. " Future Oncol. 2007 Oct;3(5):557-67. Pub Med ID 17927521. Pub Med is at www.pubmed.gov " We now have good evidence that obesity increases the risk of aggressive prostate cancer, but reduces the risk of low-grade, nonaggressive cancer. " and Gong Z et al., " Obesity is associated with increased risks of prostate cancer metastasis and death after initial cancer diagnosis in middle-aged men. " Cancer. 2007 Mar 15;109(6):1192-202. Pub Med ID 17311344. " CONCLUSIONS: Obesity at the time of diagnosis was associated with increased risks of prostate cancer metastasis and death. The increased risk of prostate cancer death or metastasis associated with obesity largely was independent of key clinical prognostic factors at diagnosis. " So far as diabetes is concerned, I plead ignorance. I do understand that its development can be a concern when on ADT (androgen deprivation therapy). Ask the medic who is treating for the condition. Unfortunately, there are no guarantees. Regards, Steve J " As a physician, I am painfully aware that most of the decisions we make with regard to prostate cancer are made with inadequate data. " -- L. " Snuffy " Myers, MD Medical oncologist. PCa survivor. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 30, 2007 Report Share Posted December 30, 2007 Hi Ari. When I was diagnosed, I was about 33 lbs overweight at 5' 11 " and 213 lbs, when looking at my BMI. I started working out and watching my diet before surgery and will continue doing so after the surgery. Having said this, if you are significantly overweight, you may say that he does not know what he is talking about. Please just read what I have to say before drawing any conclusions. I don't know how overweight you are, but keep in mind that in many cases, PC is very slow growing and if you are correct, and you have a " very early " stage (it would be good to know more about what the pathology report showed), you may want to consider taking some time to do " active surveillance " for at least a few months. People that know me know that this is not usually what I recommend, but in your case it may be a good option. Regardless of the PC diagnosis, now is the best time to start thinking aggressively about your weight situation. You now have at least two life threatening conditions (diabetes and PC) that have been shown to be associated with obesity. If you don't already have high blood pressure, that could also be around the corner. My wife was significantly overweight and had diabetes and high blood pressure, as well as plantar fasciitis and other health issues. She was taking all kinds of medications to fight these health issues. She fought the diet fight for most of her life, tried to increase her exercise, went to weight loss clinics, etc. After years where nothing worked, she finally decided to have gastric bypass surgery. She has not only lost most of her weight, and very close to her goal weight, but she has been cured of diabetes and high blood pressure, as well as her plantar fasciitis. She no longer has to take any medications. This all took place in less then a year. Regardless of how you approach the weight loss, I am just saying that you may want to take a few months and aggressing (under a doctor's care) try to deal with the weight issues. Doing so may have significant impacts on your PC treatment options, but also may save your life from complications due to diabetes, regardless of what you chose for treatment regarding PC. Please don't take this as anything but my attempt to give you some thoughts from my point of view. Remember that it is always your responsibility and choice as to how you decide to treat your PC. Best regards, Ted G. > > I saw my urologist today- I was happy to get confirmation that my > cancer is very early stage. The bad news was the doctor's > recommendation that I not choose surgery because I am diabetic and > overweight. Anyone here in similar circumstances? > Happy New Year. > Ari > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 30, 2007 Report Share Posted December 30, 2007 > > I saw my urologist today- I was happy to get confirmation that my > cancer is very early stage. The bad news was the doctor's > recommendation that I not choose surgery because I am diabetic and > overweight. Anyone here in similar circumstances? > Happy New Year. > Ari > Ari I had surgery 9/18/07 Iam Diabetic type 2 High blood presure and overweight 5'10 " 210lb at time of surgery . had no problems had surgery at U of Michigan Dr Brent Hollenbeck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 30, 2007 Report Share Posted December 30, 2007 Ari - The _good_ news is that, for early-stage prostate cancer, the effectiveness of brachytherapy ( " seeds " ) is getting close to the effectiveness of surgery. As far as I know, brachytherapy is possible even if you're overweight and diabetic [but I could be wrong about that]. So you _do_ have a good option available. As with any therapy, you should look around for someone with _lots_ of experience. Brachytherapy techniques have been evolving rapidly; the best people are really expert in their seed placement. > > I saw my urologist today- I was happy to get confirmation that my > cancer is very early stage. The bad news was the doctor's > recommendation that I not choose surgery because I am diabetic and > overweight. Anyone here in similar circumstances? > Happy New Year. > Ari > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 30, 2007 Report Share Posted December 30, 2007 Ari, My surgon said that he did a guy the week before me that was over 300 pounds and several other guys that were overweight as well. I had mine done in a university hospital where they have five DiVinci robots where my surgon does two to four a week.. Don't know anything about the diabetes factor. Not that RP is the only way to go. There are other treatments that have results as impresive as RP. Take your time and do your homework and pick the treatment and doctor that is right for you. Good luck. Rick PCa & diabetes I saw my urologist today- I was happy to get confirmation that my cancer is very early stage. The bad news was the doctor's recommendation that I not choose surgery because I am diabetic and overweight. Anyone here in similar circumstances?Happy New Year.Ari Never miss a thing. Make Yahoo your homepage. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 30, 2007 Report Share Posted December 30, 2007 Hi- Thanks for the responses- encouragement and suggestions. To be fair to my dr, he did suggest I take my time and consider all the options, then return to him to talk about choices. He's very supportive. The main thrust of my posting was to check out his statement about the problem with surgery. I'm planning to see some other doctors, including my endocrinologist, in the next few weeks. Keep strong! Ari ________________________________________________________________________________\ ____ Never miss a thing. Make Yahoo your home page. http://www.yahoo.com/r/hs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 31, 2007 Report Share Posted December 31, 2007 Ari, I suggest that you look at proton beam therapy. Cure rates as good as any of the other treatments and very few of the after effects. It is often lumped in with other types of radiation treatments. So look for seperate data, rather than radiation as a whole. Have a good New Year. d. > > Hi- > Thanks for the responses- encouragement and > suggestions. > To be fair to my dr, he did suggest I take my > time and consider all the options, then return to > him to talk about choices. He's very supportive. > > > The main thrust of my posting was to check out > his statement about the problem with surgery. > I'm planning to see some other doctors, including > my endocrinologist, in the next few weeks. > > Keep strong! > Ari > > > ________________________________________________________________________________\ ____ > Never miss a thing. Make Yahoo your home page. > http://www.yahoo.com/r/hs > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 31, 2007 Report Share Posted December 31, 2007 Ari: I am a 50 yo Type 1 diabetic...LRP on Oct. 16 (Dr. - Cleveland Clinic - Weston, FL)...100% continent and having significant progress in overcoming ED with meds and pump...no naturally occurring erections as of yet. My only issue with the diabetes was BS control immediately following surgery while in the hospital. My BS was extremely high and the staff was not checking often enough. I use a pump and was able to gain control as soon as I started my selfcare about 12 hours after surgery. You have already received a bunch of good feedback...educating yourself and getting a second opinion seem sound...Based on your weight (in one of your emails), I know you may be asked to lose some weight but it doesn't seem that you should be eliminated as a candidate. I know that Dr. also has performed the procedure on "bigger" guys. Good luck...I pray that you arrive at a comfortable decision and that you have a much healthier 2008.Dane PCa & diabetes I saw my urologist today- I was happy to get confirmation that my cancer is very early stage. The bad news was the doctor's recommendation that I not choose surgery because I am diabetic and overweight. Anyone here in similar circumstances?Happy New Year.Ari Never miss a thing. Make Yahoo your homepage. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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