prostatectomy
prostatectomy questions and answers
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Q: Prostatectomy, How long untill I can get an erection If the nerves were spared and why so long a recovery.?
I had a Prostatectomy 7 weeks ago. I feel great. I have a little incontinence. I can't get an erection. Cialis didn't work. I understand that the nerves have been manipulated and stretched. How long will it take and is there any treatment I should follow to help this ED ???
A: Prostatectomy is surgical removal of part of the prostate gland (transurethral resection, a procedure performed to relieve urinary symptoms caused by benign enlargement), or all of the prostate (radical prostatectomy, the curative surgery most often used to treat prostate cancer).
This procedure is just as curative as radical retropubic prostatectomy but is performed less often because it does not allow the surgeon to spare the nerves associated with erection or, because the incision is made above the rectum and below the scrotum, to remove lymph nodes. Radical perineal prostatectomy is sometimes used when the cancer is limited to the prostate and there is no need to spare nerves or when the patient's health might be compromised by the longer procedure. The perineal operation is less invasive than retropubic prostatectomy. Some parts of the prostate can be seen better, and blood loss is limited. The absence of an abdominal incision allows patients to recover more rapidly. Many urologic surgeons have not been trained to perform this procedure. Radical prostatectomy procedures last one to four hours, with radical perineal prostatectomy taking less time than radical retropubic prostatectomy. The patient remains in the hospital three to five days following surgery and can return to work in three to five weeks. Ongoing research indicates that laparoscopic radical prostatectomy may be as effective as open surgery in treatment of early-stage disease.
I think you should consult your Oncologist about the problem you have as he is aware of the proceedures done on you and he will be the best person to follow up with. -
Q: How could a patient who's had a full/radical Prostatectomy years ago, show a high PSA level again?
Okay, we know that PSA (Prostate Specific Antigen) is produced by prostate gland cells (the epithelium) hence it is reasonable to think that the cells will continue to manufacture PSA even if they are in locations outside the prostate? Having said that, does an elevated level of PSA in a prostate cancer patient in remission and with full/radical Prostatectomy indicates the presence of a metastatic tumor somewhere? If NOT how and why could the PSA levels be so elevated in the above described patient? Your informed comments will be greatly appreciated - Thank You.
***guitargadfly - Thanks for your concern and your kind answer. I am not the one afflicted with this horrible disease, but an older and very dear friend of mine. He has already suffered tremendously because of it. And now him and his wife are all worried to pieces with his latest elevated PSA results.
A: Because PSA is specific for prostate, I'd be very concerned about recurrence or metastasis.
There could have been invasion of the tumour that was missed, or early, previously undetected metastasis at the time of surgery.
My best to your friend... good luck with a bad disease.
Q: Radical Prostatectomy/ How much does it cost if i don't have insurance?
If I need a radical prostatectomy (prostate removal) and I don't have insurance, how much is it going to cost? and How long do I have to stay in the hospital and how much is that going to be?
A: I can give you the upper end of the costs - I had the Di Vinci robot surgery at John Hopkins. All in, it was about $45,000 - about 31K for the hospital, 13K for the surgical team, and the rest was misc. tests and such before.
If you have the surgery in the morning, you are generally discharged the next day. You wear a catheter for about 2 weeks, and are restricted to lifting no more than 10 lbs for about 4 weeks.
If you have a desk job, you can return to work in 3-4 weeks post surgery. After about 6 weeks, you are pretty much free of restrictions.
Q: What is the da Vinci Robotic Prostatectomy procedure?
A: You can read about it here including watching a video about it
http://www.akurology.com/robotic.shtml
Q: Can you have an epidural during a prostatectomy (removal of the prostate) ?
A close relative of mine is having the surgery and he wanted to no but we searched the internet and had no luck.....if you know anything it would help alot.....Thank you......
A: yes my wifes grandfather had this done recently
Q: how can i have children when a Radical prostatectomy has been done without adopting?
i was told there was a proceeder that i can have so that they can get sperm from my body does anyone know what this proceeder is called??
A: dang that new to me. I haven't heard of that process.
Q: Anyone out there had a robotic prostatectomy? Prostate Cancer removal. How long was ED present?
I am interested in hearing from individuals who have used Robotic Surgery for prostate cancer removal. I would like to know your age at time of surgery and the lenght of time E.D. was present. Has anyone returned to normal or can say they have had a full recovery? Thank you for your time!
A: I mentor guys with prostate cancer. I had it four years ago at 51 years old and had a radical prostectomy. Two weeks later my surgeon became one of the only ones doing robotic removals.
I have talked to him at length about the benefits. He said, because of the new accuracy he will never go back to the old surgery method. However, he made it clear, that he and most others have a hard time getting the hang of the robotic procedure, and usually need re-training.
So, don't be one of your doctor's first patients.
I have talked to several guys who were very happy with their robotic procedures. Their recovery time is about 3-4 weeks instead of 6-8 weeks.
But, no matter what any doctor tells you E.D. is going to be your biggest issue afterward. Only about 25% of patients fully recover. I'm at about 90%, and all the viagra in the world isn't going to help me (done them all, hate them all).
Incontinence shouldn't evern be a concern if you have a top notch surgeon at a major center doing the work. I was at UC Irvine medical center. My doctor's name was Alhering.
The trauma of surgery, robotic or not ,will take its toll. I also had my limph nodes removed, so there was additional trauma.
But, I wouldn't change a thing. I'm in good shape - for the moment.
Q: Care of the patient with Radical Prostatectomy?
I need help. Well, actually, I am helping my mom gather research for a paper she has to do entitled "Care of the patient with Radical Prostatectomy". She is having trouble finding ANYTHING at all. We have both been to the library, searched online. Almost nothing. This is for Nursing, btw (RN)
A: http://www.webmd.com/prostate-cancer/Radical-prostatectomy
Q: If a doctor will do a robotic prostatectomy on a cancer patient, why not on a person without cancer?
A: A prostatectomy is a process of removing part or all of the prostate. Why on earth would you want to remove a healthy organ.
Do you know what the prostate does? Are you aware that without it a man's sexual activity is severely curtailed.
Sorry if I missed your point but it sounds like you want to render men impotent at 25 years of age as a means of stopping a certain type of cancer. It just doesn't make sense to me.
Q: Have you had a da Vinci Prostatectomy?
I have been diagnosed with Prostate Cancer and this is one of the recommended proceedures I have been given.
A: I had a Da Vinci RP procedure at UC Irvine Med Ctr (terrific place, great care, terrific surgeon) in Nov 2006. Only way to go, greatly preferred to open abdominal surgery because of fewer complications, I was only in hospital 30 hours, catheter out in 6 days. Another advantage of Da Vinci is that the surgeon can see the operative field at 10x to 12X magnification compared to 3X to 4X in the abdominal procedure --- this is important because more than anything else a radical RP is a delicate dissection procedure. Make sure your surgeon has had experience with the Da Vinci machine, my pre-op research found that the surgeon should have at least at least 100 Da Vinci procedures.
Q: Which is the better treatment option? Proton beam therapy or da vinci prostatectomy?
A: I had Proton Radiation at Loma Linda Universtiy Medical Center in Loma Linda California in 2005 and I think Proton Radiaton is great. I was never sick one single day during or after my treatments, I am not impotent nor am I incontenent... Proton Radiation has about a 90% cure rate and has little to no side effects.. My PSA is now .13 .. thats point one three!!!!!It was like I never had cancer, was not sick and am cured...Most usually it has -0- side effects.. There is a website called Proton Bob that tells alot about Prostate Cancer and Proton Radiation.. If you go to the website.. be sure and read the Patient Testimonial section.. Its great any one who has ever had Proton Radiaton is 100% sold on it.. and personally I would have it done at Loma Linda Universty Medical Center in Loma Linda California.. They pioneered it in this country 17 years ago..and due to their great success, 4-5 hospitals including MD Anderson here in Texas now offer it.. several facilities are currently under construction to do Proton Radiation.. and why not with a 90% cure rate and no side effects.. Also there is a new book out called YOU CAN BEAT PROSTATE CANCER written by Robert J Marckini a prostate cancer survivor that is great. It tells about Prostate Cancer and then gives detailed information about all of the different treatment options available today.. including the pros and cons of each treatment and the side effects of the various treatments.. The book can be purchased at several book stores including barnes and nobles..or it can be purchased on line at the PROTON BOB website..Any one with prostate problems should read the book before having treatments ..in my opinion,... If you have any questions you would like to ask concerning my experience with prostate cancer or Proton Radiation, please feel free to email me here on yahoo answers.. hope this helps have a great day..
Q: can someone tell me about prostatectomy and cathererization in prostate cancer?
A: I am posting a link to answer your questions. It will be easier than to write a long explanation here, especially since you didn't say what type of prostatecomy. It will also explain the foley catheter. If you have any other questions, feel free to email me. Here is the link:
http://www.healthsquare.com/mc/fgmc0820.htm
Q: Would like to hear results from anyone having robotic prostatectomy? Prostate Cancer removal.?
I would like to hear the outcome of any guys who have actually experienced robotic prostatectomy? Prostrate Cancer removal. No hype from hospital WebPages, I WANT THE TRUTH! How Old? Gleason Score? Recovery? Incontinence? **Erectile Dysfunction-how long and did you recover? Did you use anything for E.D. and did it work? Would you do this type surgery again? Thank you fellows, all info appreciated.
A: YUP! Been there and done that. Bladder too. 74
Physical recovery, 2-3 months, better at 5-6
Mental, 3 years depression.
No incontinence. Stoma and pouch.
No worry about ED. Divorced before recovery. Alone now.
Gleason score? No knowledge of that.
Meds won't work. Implant or pump, (works), are choices.
It doesn't quit, desire. Check with your doc. Good Luck and God Bless.
Again? Hmmm, knowing what I knew after surgery?. Nope!
Don't take me seriously. It's every ones choice to make.
You're welcome to contact me. eejayi@ yahoo.
Q: Why would a PSA score go from <.1 to <.2 5 years after a radical prostatectomy for prostate cancer?
The doctor said it occasionally happens and not to worry about it, but his response was internally inconsistent and he seemed evasive, so I became uncomfortable.
A: the way its written <.1 and <.25 may just be the lab and that is the lowest level that they measure with the test they use
Q: davinci prostatectomy?
has anyone ever had a davinci prostatectomy done. if so what were the risk and what was your experience after the surgery.
this surgery is not for me its for my grandfather he is really worried about the surgery. i am going to pray tonight for god to guide him in the right direction. he doesn't know if he'll have the surgery or not yet he is scared right now.
A: http://www.davincisurgery.com/procedures/urologic/prostate/davinci_prostatectomy.aspx This article gives a brief glimpse a the procedure. It is relatively new. With the old TURP about 95 % of the patients became permanently impotent due to the nerve damage. Discuss with your doctor about this side effect with the new surgery because in the past many doctors didn't mention this side effect. Not good. Go with the doc who has done at least 50 of them, don't be the first one on the surgical schedule and don't be the last case either. Get better really soon.