Prostate Cancer Surgery

Question: What are some of the risks of having prostate cancer surgery? My Dad is going to be having prostate cancer surgery and I would like to know if I have to worry about anything?

Answer: I have been trying over the last few hours to answer this question but get the coffee break message - now I am trying this Huh! that worked so now click edit Complication rates can vary after prostate surgery. Complications can include such as blood clots, heart problems, infection, bleeding, incontinence and impotence.The mortality rate is very low, about 0.4%. The quality of life usually improves shortly after surgery, and recovery from certain complications, such as incontinence and sexual function, can continue to occur even over years.

Question: I have robotic prostate cancer surgery on the 21st. What should I do to prepare? My doctor seems to have no pre-op instructions but I'm sure I should do something.

Answer: What is it about the 21st? That's the day I also go "under the knife, as well. My doctor is using a perineal approach. I wish us both luck! The best site I can offer you is our Yahoo Prostate Cancer Support Forum. http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/ProstateCancerSupport Do a search within the forum. There are lots of good answers for you. According to my urologist and physiotrist there is not a whole lot that you can do for yourself aside from Kegel exercises. You may ask your surgeon if he advises you to self-donate blood... just in case... I am trying to prepare my mind, body, and spirit using meditation, pelvic floor exercises, and even biofeedback. Hey! It may not be effective, but at least I feel I am still in control and doing something is always better than not. I'm also a member of our local Man-To-Man Prostate Cancer Support Group. Check out The American Cancer Society for a group near you. Headscratcher

Question: What can I expect from rehabititation from prostate cancer surgery?

Answer: I had prostate cancer and had a retropubic radical prostectomy. I had to wear a Foley Catheter for two weeks. A pain in the a** emptying the bag all the time, They gave me two bags one for night time use, and one I strapped around my leg for traveling. Not much pain. My wife took care of my wound after the stitches were removed. I was up and around before I left the hospital.

Question: prostate cancer surgery question? my dad just had prostate surgery yesterday to remove it due to cancer , durning surgery they removed some lympnodes surgeon said they were enlarged...so they sending it off to be tested it will be 2 weeks before the results will be back...does this mean that the cancer has spread???

Answer: It does not necessarily mean that the cancer has spread. My understanding is that it is fairly typical to do that type of testing if surgery was opted by the patient. I have prostate cancer and did not opt for surgery, rather, radiation therapy. Did your father undergo prostacint scan?

Question: Sex after prostate cancer surgery? My husband had surgery for stage 1 prostate cancer about 2 weeks ago . I am not in a rush but I was wondering when the ability to get an erection comes back.

Answer: There is no common denominator. Sometimes things return to normal in a few weeks, sometimes the surgery causes permanent damage that makes it impossible to get an erection, and everything in between is also possible. You can test the waters as soon as the surgical wounds have healed and the pain has subsided.

Question: How effect is laser surgery in prostate cancer? I'm talking a very small cancer, 2.5mm, Gleason 7 age 56 male.

Answer: I'm not familiar with Laser Surgery as a means to cure prostate cancer. What I know of is IMRT or the intensity-modulated radiation therapy. This type of treatment offers precise delivery of radiation therapy and has lower exposure for healthy cells thereby reducing side effects. Doctors recommend this type of therapy for low-risk prostate cancers.

Question: Prostate Cancer Surgery? Please tell me your experiences and successes with ED after Prostate surgery. Does Viagra work? I would welcome any feedback from men and women.

Answer: In the hands of a skilled surgeon, an ordinary erection is still possible, if those two nerves are not damaged. And the trick is to choose a surgeon who does this surgery all the time. ( Had a girlfriend whose husband had to have that surgery. He went into USC or UCLA and interviewed several before he allowed one to do the surgery.... he was very insistant as to the surgeon's success rate..... And he was fine. ) It is my understanding that Viagra and similar medication are useless if the nerve(s) are cut.

Question: Recovery for prostate cancer surgery? My father was recently diagnosed and has to choose between radiation and surgery. He's leaning toward surgery. I am looking to hear from anyone who has had the surgery and, if so, what was the recovery like?

Answer: I had my robotic prostatectomy surgery October 2005 in Detroit with Dr. Mennon. I am 48 years old, very good health, exercise regularly. My Gleason score was 6 and they were able to execute nerve-sparing procedures. If you "must" have your prostate removed, the Robotic method is the way to go unless there has been a new development in the last year that I do not know about. Henry Ford Hospital has a very informative website to give you all the information you need. There is another good facility in Columbus, Ohio. OSU – Both links are listed below The surgery was a piece of cake, six small cuts on my stomach, which healed quickly. I had a lot of pain in my shoulders from the gas, which they pump into me during surgery. Not everyone has this, but it took about 2 days for mine to go away. I had a catheter for 10 days, which was not fun, but after getting used to the routine empties and cleanings, it was not as bad as I thought it would be. I then had to use a heavy continence pad and progressed to a smaller pad as time went on (2-months). After 2 weeks I was feeling very good. Actually, one day after the catheter came out, I went back to my normal activities except exercise. No lifting. I was very worried about holding my water and began to wonder if I would ever be normal again. This is something you cannot rush! After two months, I was able to wear a very thin pad, which was only in case of an accident. After 3 months and up to today (8 months later), I am in complete control. If I am doing heavy lifting or stretch backwards with a full bladder, there have been a few times that I lost a dribble up to a teaspoon but have always been able to suppress it. Common sense says, do not drink a lot before going to bed, especially in the beginning. Now lets talk about the number one concern for most men. Erectile Dysfunction. I’ll be honest, nothing down there so far. Going into the ninth month, I have tried Viagra and there is still nothing, not even the start of something. I am very discouraged at this point. My wife keeps telling me it will get better. The doctors say a year but I think it's going to be longer. Remember, I was very discouraged about holding my water but "it did get better". I am very hopeful the erection will be the same. I have started research for alternative methods just in case, but I'm not ready to pursue them for quite awhile. It is tough to find someone to talk about this and be honest. Even Dr. Mennon and his team avoided the issue. I was asked, "Would I do it again"? My answer: Did I have a choice? I wanted the cancer out of me. If it had went to the bone or elsewhere, things would have been much worse. Prior to surgery, I remember my emotions running wild. To keep it short and without detail, even suicide was seriously considered. Man, I am glad I never pulled a stupid stunt like that. I really believe such a thought has entered all minds of men in this situation even if only for a minute. HEY DON'T DO IT. I kept telling myself, in a few months this will all be behind me. I was right! Life is great. I have a beautiful wife who loves me very much and I hope to be a grandpa in the future. To think I was willing to throw all that away, how foolish. I know this is somewhat crude, but lets not beat around the bush and tell it like it is. I wish someone had told me this prior to surgery to keep me from doing something stupid. Thank God I didn't. Life is good and I will deal with my one problem as time permits. I am very hopeful all will be normal again. If not, I have found there are many remedies to alter my problem. Good luck men, May God give you Strength. http://www.henryfordhealth.org/body.cfm?... http://medicine.osu.edu/news/article.cfm...

Question: Anyone have the robotic surgery to remove prostate cancer? my dad is researching this surgery and i am just curious to hear what other people's experiences are who have gone through this particular surgery. Recovery? Pain? etc. Thank you.

Answer: The Da Vinci robotic surgery system has several advantages over an open operation. Since it is essentially laparascopic surgery, it uses small holes for a camera and surgical tools. This allows major surgeries to be done without long midline incisions. This makes for quicker recovery times, less pain, less wound infections and faster healing. I've attached a link to their site. I hope this helps.

Question: Has anyone here had prostate cancer surgery. What was your experience?

Answer: yes I had, and I was out for about 2-3 hours and went to recovery, woke up all done took me to my room, felt nothing very heavily morphine sedated all first night, horibal drug induced illucinations, got through it though

Question: When Prostate surgery fails and the Cancer has spread how long will I live? The Doctor used a Scan that was done in August and operated in December. The Cancer had spread beyond the glands and is now terminal. Just wondering about a time frame to live.

Answer: Dad? Sorry that's just sounds way to familar! lol My father is going through the same thing right now to a tee! He found out August/september he had prostate cancer and had the operation in December. Yes it also spend. But anyways! What did your Doctor say? Did they start other treatment yet! Did they talk about hormome treatment or radiaion? Do not give up! Prostate cancer is one of the most treatable cancer! Everyone is different, and so we can answer how long you have. I don't want to give up on my daddy! so don't you give up either. :) When did you find out it was terminal? Pretty fast after operation in december? I am sorry though.

Question: Prostate Cancer - Surgery or Chemo? What would you do if you were diagnosed with Prostate Cancer? I am in early stages with a Gleason of 6 and PSA of 3.9 - 4.1.

Answer: With those Gleason and PSA results, you have a very good chance of cure with either a radical prostatectomy or radon seed placement. Chemotherapy is contraindicated.

Question: after prostate cancer surgery are you still fertile?

Answer: that depends on how extensive the surgery was. You need to ask your surgeon.

Question: Can a man still produce sperm after surgery to remove prostate cancer? In other words could a man father children after radical prostatectomy?

Answer: His testicles will always produce sperm. However, he may have to have the sperm removed surgically to fertilize an egg.

Question: can a man have sex after prostate cancer surgery?

Answer: If the nerves are undamaged then the man should still be able to achieve an erection. He may need medication such as viagra.

Question: How to decide, surgery versus radiation for prostate cancer, which has least side effects? PSA 6.25 and cancer rated 7

Answer: Your Age, How fast the PSA got to 6.25 and other factors are involved. My PSA went from 1.5 to 4.5 in 6 months. Biops showed a Gleason of 4+4=8. I opted for surgery only because if they get it all quick it can't come back. Any other treatment is just that, treatment not removal. My PSA at 6 weeks PostOp was 0. Doctor said it has to stay 0 for 4 years to be considered cancer free. Side effects are different for each man. My surgery was in July 07 and last week I bowled a 283 game with a 707 set. Working full time, and only side effect is wondering what next? You can read a lot here: http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/ProstateCancerSupport/