Guest guest Posted June 27, 2007 Report Share Posted June 27, 2007 Excuse me if I come on a little strong in my feelings about surgery. I fully recognize that it is a viable method of treating PCa. But I think that there are risks with surgery that may not be worth it compared to other possibilities. Al I have said before, and at the risk of stirring up another firestorm, the skill of the surgeon is all important, and he had better be having a very good day when he does this highly complicated procedure. Surgery---Yes, well before you decide on any treatment method, I suggest that you get the book entitled " You Can Beat prostate Cancer, and You Don't Need Surgery To Do It. " by Bob Marckini, available on Amazon.com.; & Noble.com ;or www.protonbob.com. Even though it is pro proton beam, there is a detailed rationale of pros and cons of every other accepted treatment and an excellent " roadmap " in this decision making process that we all must either make or have already made. $20 well spent, and it will provide many answers not available without hours upon hours of research. The book has been recommended by many many well known authorities. Fuller > > again: > I would highly suggest considering surgery at then > abolute best overall treatment option. > I have attached a number of excellent links to go to > and start collecting data. > > Primary focus at this point: After reviewing these > sites also purchase ,it sounds dumb but it is an > excellent and far above average quality book, " > Prostate Cancer for Dummies " It has no hidden > agenda...just facts. > > Set up appointments with at least 2 surgeon/urologists > that specialize in prostate surgeries and two > oncologist with lots of experience with PCa. > > I had surgery and and have had many face to face > discussions with guys who have had the whole range of > types of treament. I'd be happy to discuss any facet > of it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 27, 2007 Report Share Posted June 27, 2007 We each need to survey all of the available treatment options, educate ourselves and weigh the pros vs. cons for our own individual situation. Please don't let this valuable forum spiral down the tubes or turn into one where one person foists their opinion or personal agenda on another. Treatment options are like " junk " in the addage: " What is one man's junk is another man's treasure... " Dutifully yours and happy Wednesday, Mick -- Abilene, TX > > > > again: > > I would highly suggest considering surgery at then > > abolute best overall treatment option. > > I have attached a number of excellent links to go to > > and start collecting data. > > > > Primary focus at this point: After reviewing these > > sites also purchase ,it sounds dumb but it is an > > excellent and far above average quality book, " > > Prostate Cancer for Dummies " It has no hidden > > agenda...just facts. > > > > Set up appointments with at least 2 surgeon/urologists > > that specialize in prostate surgeries and two > > oncologist with lots of experience with PCa. > > > > I had surgery and and have had many face to face > > discussions with guys who have had the whole range of > > types of treament. I'd be happy to discuss any facet > > of it. > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 28, 2007 Report Share Posted June 28, 2007 Anytime I see a statement like this: " > I would highly suggest considering surgery at then > > abolute best overall treatment option... " I WILL respond! And YES: > " We each need to survey all of the available treatment options, educate ourselves and weigh the pros vs. cons for our own individual situation. " > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 28, 2007 Report Share Posted June 28, 2007 again: Everyone is giving you the advice they feel was best for them. I would tell your husband to have surgery because that's what I did and I'm satisfied with the results. I don't know about radiation because I didn't have radiation. –it doesn't mean radiation would have been better or worse; I just don't know. The important thing is to find other doctors/opinions even if you are happy with the first one (and it sounds like you're not). I think that the most unbiased views and information can be found at a larger (usually university-affiliated) cancer center. After the initial diagnosis by my urologist, I went to University of Rochester's Wilmot Cancer Center at Strong Memorial Hospital and spoke with two oncologists. One was a PCa specialist and went over all the options he knew about and then reluctantly said that, given my stats, surgery might be my best choice for maximum effectiveness with minimal side effects. He was concerned that my clinical staging was borderline enough that the cancer could be extra-capsular (it was) and a surgeon could see the extent of the cancer and remove it… all in all less guesswork, again, because the partin tables showed less than ideal odds for me. He made me assume a worse case and I'm glad he did. He drove home the seriousness of what was going on –and how little was known about it. After that, I wanted the surgery to get more data as much as to get rid of the disease. The main takeaway from my experience is to talk with as many doctors and patients as you can. Do NOT stick with the first doc without exploring all the options. As I learned more, I became less fearful and more objective. Since everyone is plugging books, a good reference is Dr. Walsh's " Guide to Surviving Prostate Cancer " He gives a thorough, easy-to-read, explanation of prostate anatomy, cancer, metrics and treatments. Good luck and best regards, Tony Higgins > > > > again: > > I would highly suggest considering surgery at then > > abolute best overall treatment option. > > I have attached a number of excellent links to go to > > and start collecting data. > > > > Primary focus at this point: After reviewing these > > sites also purchase ,it sounds dumb but it is an > > excellent and far above average quality book, " > > Prostate Cancer for Dummies " It has no hidden > > agenda...just facts. > > > > Set up appointments with at least 2 surgeon/urologists > > that specialize in prostate surgeries and two > > oncologist with lots of experience with PCa. > > > > I had surgery and and have had many face to face > > discussions with guys who have had the whole range of > > types of treament. I'd be happy to discuss any facet > > of it. > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 28, 2007 Report Share Posted June 28, 2007 " We each need to survey all of the available treatment options, educate ourselves and weigh the pros vs. cons for our own individual situation. " > Enough said? Fuller > > > " We each need to survey all of the available treatment options, > educate ourselves and weigh the pros vs. cons for our own individual > situation. " > > > > > > > > > God rewards those that keep on keeping on. Stay positive. Think positive. Pray positive. And talk positive. > > > > --------------------------------- > Boardwalk for $500? In 2007? Ha! > Play Monopoly Here and Now (it's updated for today's economy) at Yahoo! Games. > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 3, 2007 Report Share Posted July 3, 2007 By the way, a new (second) edition of Walsh's book has just been published (June 2007). It's on amazon.com and is presumably in bookstores (or will be soon). Bill, NYC > > > > > > again: > > > I would highly suggest considering surgery at then > > > abolute best overall treatment option. > > > I have attached a number of excellent links to go to > > > and start collecting data. > > > > > > Primary focus at this point: After reviewing these > > > sites also purchase ,it sounds dumb but it is an > > > excellent and far above average quality book, " > > > Prostate Cancer for Dummies " It has no hidden > > > agenda...just facts. > > > > > > Set up appointments with at least 2 surgeon/urologists > > > that specialize in prostate surgeries and two > > > oncologist with lots of experience with PCa. > > > > > > I had surgery and and have had many face to face > > > discussions with guys who have had the whole range of > > > types of treament. I'd be happy to discuss any facet > > > of it. > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You are posting as a guest. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.