Re: A case for WW?

[Guest guest]

Hi Kojo,

I think surgeons the world over are pretty gung-ho about operating as soon as possible. The news of my positive biopsy, Gleason 7 (4+3) was broken to me in 2 minutes flat by my urologist/surgeon on 28th July this year and he wanted to do a radical prostatectomy by the end of August. When I brought up concerns of impotency he said 'Oh, no problem; we can give you implants'. Well I'm 48 and not ready for such drastic action, plus with his approach I don't think he would be too concerned about nerve sparing once he got me open! He didnt even offer an MRI.

I've since seen an oncolgist at my insistance and she advised making a decision within 3-4 months (but I'm Gleason 7 not 6 like you). I didn't need all that time to make the decision as my 90 minute MRI (with anal antenna) showed a definite 1cm tumour I've decided to go for IGRT starting 8th September. Obviously your treatment decisions are your own to make but I wouldn't let yourself be panicked into something you're not happy with by an over eager surgeon. I think mine was plain 'scalpel happy'.

Best of luck,

Malaga, Spain

Re: [ProstateCancerSupp ort] www.watchwait. com

In a message dated 8/29/2008 5:45:41 A.M. Eastern Standard Time, lasalandramj@ yahoo.com writes:

I am a new member of this support site, but have my own web site dedicated to watchful waiting. If you are interested in WW, whether you are doing it now or are considering it following a recent diagnosis, I invite you to check out my site. It not only tells my own story, but has links to numerous studies and articles in the media, as well as a list of supplements to take and more. Check it out. www.watchwait. com

Hi :

I'm not finished examining your site, but some of the things you say I've heard elsewhere, and seem more appropriate in my case. I'm 73. recently had a biopsy, have a PSA of 6, am healthy, and my prostate is 22MM. I get my results on Sept. 3rd, and I've asked the group for comments but have received no replies. Unless the results say "aggressive" I will probably WW. and will be looking for suggestions. Thanks and bye for now.

Emile

Internal Virus Database is out of date.Checked by AVG. Version: 8.0.100 / Virus Database: 270.6.10/1638 - Release Date: 8/27/2008 7:06 PM

[Guest guest]

Hi Kojo,

I think surgeons the world over are pretty gung-ho about operating as soon as possible. The news of my positive biopsy, Gleason 7 (4+3) was broken to me in 2 minutes flat by my urologist/surgeon on 28th July this year and he wanted to do a radical prostatectomy by the end of August. When I brought up concerns of impotency he said 'Oh, no problem; we can give you implants'. Well I'm 48 and not ready for such drastic action, plus with his approach I don't think he would be too concerned about nerve sparing once he got me open! He didnt even offer an MRI.

I've since seen an oncolgist at my insistance and she advised making a decision within 3-4 months (but I'm Gleason 7 not 6 like you). I didn't need all that time to make the decision as my 90 minute MRI (with anal antenna) showed a definite 1cm tumour I've decided to go for IGRT starting 8th September. Obviously your treatment decisions are your own to make but I wouldn't let yourself be panicked into something you're not happy with by an over eager surgeon. I think mine was plain 'scalpel happy'.

Best of luck,

Malaga, Spain

Re: [ProstateCancerSupp ort] www.watchwait. com

In a message dated 8/29/2008 5:45:41 A.M. Eastern Standard Time, lasalandramj@ yahoo.com writes:

I am a new member of this support site, but have my own web site dedicated to watchful waiting. If you are interested in WW, whether you are doing it now or are considering it following a recent diagnosis, I invite you to check out my site. It not only tells my own story, but has links to numerous studies and articles in the media, as well as a list of supplements to take and more. Check it out. www.watchwait. com

Hi :

I'm not finished examining your site, but some of the things you say I've heard elsewhere, and seem more appropriate in my case. I'm 73. recently had a biopsy, have a PSA of 6, am healthy, and my prostate is 22MM. I get my results on Sept. 3rd, and I've asked the group for comments but have received no replies. Unless the results say "aggressive" I will probably WW. and will be looking for suggestions. Thanks and bye for now.

Emile

Internal Virus Database is out of date.Checked by AVG. Version: 8.0.100 / Virus Database: 270.6.10/1638 - Release Date: 8/27/2008 7:06 PM

[Guest guest]

>

> Subject: A case for WW?

....

> I am not oblivious to the seriousness what's at hand here. My

> point being? If there is no sign of aggressiveness, need I

> rush?

Kojo,

I am not a doctor or an authority of any kind and have no

expertise with which to advise you.

That said, I will go on to express my layman's opinion of your

situation.

Urologists often advise surgery in doubtful cases. Maybe they

want the business. Maybe they have deep faith in their ability

to cure you with few side effects. Very likely, in your case,

at your young age, they think treatment will eventually become

necessary and the chances for success are best when the cancer

is small, so let's do it now and get it over with. In some ways

it's the same thinking that led doctors a few generations ago to

remove children's tonsils or appendixes (appendices?) at the

slightest sign of infection.

It seems to this layman that you do not need to rush.

Furthermore, if and when you do decide on treatment, you don't

necessarily want to be treated by the same doctor who diagnosed

the problem. Prostate treatment, either by surgery or

radiation, is a real specialty and the specialists who do 50,

100, or in some cases 200+ procedures per year, have better

outcomes than ordinary urologists who spend the great majority

of their time seeing patients for more routine diagnosis and

treatment.

An ordinary dentist can determine that you need a root canal

and, in a pinch, he can probably do it for you. But an

endodontist does five or more every day and is a much better bet

for getting the job done safely, effectively, and with minimal

side effects. I believe that the same is true of any kind of

surgery, and especially major surgery like prostatectomy.

I would suggest that you spend some time educating yourself

about PCa and its treatments. I wouldn't fixate on this. There

are other things to do in life besides obsess about our health.

But you've got time to become an educated patient.

I'd also watch it closely, getting regular PSA tests and, if

there's a significant change for the worse, consider action.

But I personally wouldn't advise rushing into treatment.

I also like the ideas already given to you to get second

opinions on the biopsy slides. Be aware however that the second

opinions will almost certainly not be in the nature of advice.

What the pathologists will do is evaluate the cells seen on the

microscope slides and say how many are cancerous and to what

degree. They won't give you advice on whether to seek treatment

or not - leaving that to your local doctor.

Best of luck.

Alan

[Guest guest]

>

> Subject: A case for WW?

....

> I am not oblivious to the seriousness what's at hand here. My

> point being? If there is no sign of aggressiveness, need I

> rush?

Kojo,

I am not a doctor or an authority of any kind and have no

expertise with which to advise you.

That said, I will go on to express my layman's opinion of your

situation.

Urologists often advise surgery in doubtful cases. Maybe they

want the business. Maybe they have deep faith in their ability

to cure you with few side effects. Very likely, in your case,

at your young age, they think treatment will eventually become

necessary and the chances for success are best when the cancer

is small, so let's do it now and get it over with. In some ways

it's the same thinking that led doctors a few generations ago to

remove children's tonsils or appendixes (appendices?) at the

slightest sign of infection.

It seems to this layman that you do not need to rush.

Furthermore, if and when you do decide on treatment, you don't

necessarily want to be treated by the same doctor who diagnosed

the problem. Prostate treatment, either by surgery or

radiation, is a real specialty and the specialists who do 50,

100, or in some cases 200+ procedures per year, have better

outcomes than ordinary urologists who spend the great majority

of their time seeing patients for more routine diagnosis and

treatment.

An ordinary dentist can determine that you need a root canal

and, in a pinch, he can probably do it for you. But an

endodontist does five or more every day and is a much better bet

for getting the job done safely, effectively, and with minimal

side effects. I believe that the same is true of any kind of

surgery, and especially major surgery like prostatectomy.

I would suggest that you spend some time educating yourself

about PCa and its treatments. I wouldn't fixate on this. There

are other things to do in life besides obsess about our health.

But you've got time to become an educated patient.

I'd also watch it closely, getting regular PSA tests and, if

there's a significant change for the worse, consider action.

But I personally wouldn't advise rushing into treatment.

I also like the ideas already given to you to get second

opinions on the biopsy slides. Be aware however that the second

opinions will almost certainly not be in the nature of advice.

What the pathologists will do is evaluate the cells seen on the

microscope slides and say how many are cancerous and to what

degree. They won't give you advice on whether to seek treatment

or not - leaving that to your local doctor.

Best of luck.

Alan