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User
Posted 13 Mar 2017 at 11:36

I was diagnosed a month ago showing T2c 4+3, 3+4 Gleason 7  PSA 9. From the outset I favoured the Robotic procedure on the basis that it was less invasive and should it fail I could then have radiation. HDR Brachytherapy was the other front runner but apparently I would have to take Tamsulosin for life and it makes me feel terrible so I'm back to surgical options. I'd like to hear from anyone whose had the Robotic guided surgery or anyone who thinks I should go for the Brachytherapy. So hard making life or death decisions!

Edited by member 13 Mar 2017 at 12:59  | Reason: Not specified

User
Posted 14 Mar 2017 at 11:34

Statistically, RALP is slightly more likely to result in incontinence, ED, etc. The attraction is the shorter inpatient time and quicker physical recovery. Open RP and RALP have almost identical outcomes in terms of positive margins, 10 year survival and biochemical recurrence

"Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards." Soren Kierkegaard

User
Posted 13 Mar 2017 at 12:40

Hi, I had a robotically assisted prostatectomy in July last year. At the time it was my least preferred option but the radiology and surgical consultants both thought it the best option given my age (I was 41). I appreciate everyone's experience of any given treatment will vary but I'm so glad I went down this route in the end. It takes a while to get over the surgery and the first couple of weeks with the catheter were at times horrible but for me it was definately the right choice. I may have been exceptionally lucky but I managed to regain continence a week or so after the catheter removal and the ED took about 6 months to almost fully recover from. There's obviously no way of knowing what the outcome of any treatment pathway will be but I thought it might help to share a postitive experience.

Andrew.

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User
Posted 13 Mar 2017 at 12:40

Hi, I had a robotically assisted prostatectomy in July last year. At the time it was my least preferred option but the radiology and surgical consultants both thought it the best option given my age (I was 41). I appreciate everyone's experience of any given treatment will vary but I'm so glad I went down this route in the end. It takes a while to get over the surgery and the first couple of weeks with the catheter were at times horrible but for me it was definately the right choice. I may have been exceptionally lucky but I managed to regain continence a week or so after the catheter removal and the ED took about 6 months to almost fully recover from. There's obviously no way of knowing what the outcome of any treatment pathway will be but I thought it might help to share a postitive experience.

Andrew.

User
Posted 13 Mar 2017 at 12:40

Hi Nigel

Welcome

Can you clarify

T2c    4+3, 3+4   Gleason 9 ?  is that a typo   (Obviously don't want to assume 4+5)

and your PSA (+ any history?).    

Visit my profile - ie  I had RP and my brother will have RT - both Gleason 7. (4+3)  We made our decision on input from Consultant, MDP and partners.  I favoured surgery (age 60) and not RT. He (age 69 at dx) favoured RT and not RP, both fit and well and no other health issues.  However he had had a TURP and seems the risk of longer term incontinence was higher his consultant told him re. surgery.

     

 

Gordon

 

 

 

User
Posted 13 Mar 2017 at 12:58

Hi Gordon

Oh sorry its PSA thats 9 and Gleason 7. Thanks for your reply.

N

User
Posted 13 Mar 2017 at 13:21

I had HDR Brachy. in July last. Absolutly no problems (minor ED), and only took Tamsulosin for 1 month.

User
Posted 13 Mar 2017 at 15:14

My husband had Gleason 7 (3+4) and he had permanent seed Brachytherapy. e ws on Tamsulosin for a few months but no longer needs them.

Did they say on what basis you would need to take them for the rest of your life. Do you have other health issues relating to your bladder?

We can't control the winds - but we can adjust our sails
User
Posted 13 Mar 2017 at 16:40
Hi.

I had keyhole surgery 2 years ago aged 58. I just deemed that if I had something bad inside me I wanted it out. Having never having a serious illness I was worried about being operated on but it was not as scary as my imagination had blown it up to be. I find it hard to find the scars now. The catheter was the worst bit as stated in an earlier post. Pain was minimal. I am now fully continent. The ED is something I haven't worked on but it isn't a problem. I'd rather be alive. All my PSA results post op are un-recordable.

Wishing you well for the future.

Paul

THE CHILD HAS GROWN, THE DREAM HAS GONE
User
Posted 13 Mar 2017 at 17:22

Thanks for all the replies , I found it all useful.Good to feel support from others in the same boat.

User
Posted 13 Mar 2017 at 18:31

Hi Oldfox, I had robotic surgery 31/2 years ago. Read my profile.

Best

Flexi

User
Posted 14 Mar 2017 at 10:50

Hi Stuart, Just read your story.What a journey! I thought RALP led to fewer complications but not in your case it seems. It all sounds very scary. Hope you continue to make progress. all the best. Nigel

User
Posted 14 Mar 2017 at 11:34

Statistically, RALP is slightly more likely to result in incontinence, ED, etc. The attraction is the shorter inpatient time and quicker physical recovery. Open RP and RALP have almost identical outcomes in terms of positive margins, 10 year survival and biochemical recurrence

"Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards." Soren Kierkegaard

User
Posted 16 Mar 2017 at 14:05

Hi
I had Robotic Jan 4/17 at Leicester with nerve sparing and at 55 and this was my first op and a stay in hospital
I was 3+7 Gleason
Psa 3.7
The service and support and surgeon was excellent.
Catheter removed after two weeks strange sensation but you have to look at the bigger picture and it was ok don't worry about blood in urine in the early days or the blood thinning injections for a month .
I'm pretty continent and my Gentleman's Sausage is coming back !!
8 weeks later my psa is 0.1
So I may have to be zapped at some time
All the best

User
Posted 17 Mar 2017 at 07:33

Hi Oldfox,

 

I had my Brachytherapy in September turning down a full robotic job as felt it was less invasive and my readings where low.PSA 2.19 Gleason 3+4=7.

Right or wrong i am know up to six months with PSA down to 0.81 from 2.19 no problems with bowls or passing water just a little slow but OK, so fingers crossed we may be going the right way.I did think after the brachytherapy had i made the right choice at the time but only time will tell me that..

I also take Tamsulosin and hope to get off them once i see the specialist again, i also take blood pressure tablets and would like to lower the dose on them if possible but thats another story.  

 

Good Luck John.

User
Posted 17 Mar 2017 at 07:34

Hi Oldfox,

 

I had my Brachytherapy in September turning down a full robotic job as felt it was less invasive and my readings where low.PSA 2.19 Gleason 3+4=7.

Right or wrong i am know up to six months with PSA down to 0.81 from 2.19 no problems with bowls or passing water just a little slow but OK, so fingers crossed we may be going the right way.I did think after the brachytherapy had i made the right choice at the time but only time will tell me that..

I also take Tamsulosin and hope to get off them once i see the specialist again, i also take blood pressure tablets and would like to lower the dose on them if possible but thats another story.  

 

Good Luck John.

 
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