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| I started this post as a reply to one of the threads below, but decide to start a new thread. If you are tired of hearing about the subject, pass it on by.
When they are grading a biopsy, someone looks and the samples under a microscope and grades them visually. If your biopsy comes back positive, ask them to send the samples to Johns Hopkins for a second opinion. before you decide on a treatment. They are concidered the experts on grading prostate samples. Dont worry about hurting the drs feelings. Just do it
Because I was a G7, I wanted confirmation on it before I did surgery. If it came back a G6 from JH I might have done Active survelience instead. They confirmed what the other lab said, And I found some comfort in that I was making the right decision to treat it. I had nightmares that I would wake up from surgery and they would say "we took it out and didnt find anything". They always do a grading of the prostate after removal, and in mine what they found confirmed what the biopsy said
When they mention PC surgery, they are talking about is Da Vinci robotic surgery. a multi armed robot that is controlled by the surgen does the surgery. There are some good videos on youtube demonstrating how it works. They can put a grape in the bottom of a milk bottle, the robot reaches in with 2 arms, peels the grape, then puts the skin back on and sews it together.
If you are thinking about surgery, you want a surgeon who has done hundreds, if not thousands and does them on a regular basis. Do not be afraid to ask these questions, and if you dont like the answer find another suregeon who has. This is a very delicate surgery. you dont want the dr at the local hospital who only does one or two a year. People think since you only spend one night in the hospital and go home the next day its a simple surgery. it is NOT! You only have one chance to get it right. BE YOUR OWN ADVACATE! Dont be afraid to hurt the Drs feeling if you dont like the asnswer your getting
Also ask them if they can do nerve sparing when they do the surgery. They will probably answer they will try. they wont know until they get in there. There are nerves wrapped around the prostate like a spider web, sometimes they can save them, sometimes not. This determines some of the post surgery side effects.
For those considering Radiaton ask them if they will aslo be doing hormone theropy along with the radiation. A lot of times they do. Make sure you understand the side effects of that
Some guys used to have radioactive seeds implanted. problem was you couldnt have your grandkids sit on your lap for a couple of years. dont know if they even do that anymore
As Ive said before research ALL the treatments and do whats right for YOU
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What to do after a PC diagnosis