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I'm 45 years old and was just diagnosed with prostate cancer. Last PSA was 5.75 and the cancer was found on the third biopsy. It appears the tumor is very small and contained (out of 12 tissue samples, 3 showed positive, all in the same area on right side). The biospy report showed a rating of 6/10. The urologist said 6 is the lowest and typical number he sees. Fortunately, I have a urologist who specializes in robotic surgey and I am told he is one of the best in the world (over 800 surgeries performed) with 80-90% full erectile recovery and 95% full urine control for patients 60+ years old (at 45, the erectile control stat still doesn't settle too well!).
No time to waste. I have to schedule surgery within a couple of weeks, but I'd like to know if there are any promising alternatives I should investigate?
Greatful for your help,
Steve
In Reply to: Just diagnosed w/prostate cancer - alternatives? posted by SteveZ [4805.2967] on December 01, 2006 at 15:09:07:
I just wanted to say that I am sorry that you have to deal with this.
I don't know what the best alternative is for you. I know that when my father got prostate cancer he did his research, spoke with other prostate cancer survivors about their courses of treatment and ultimately opted to have a radical prostatectomy. That may not be right for you though.
Why do you have to rush to a decision? My father's situation sounds as though it involved a larger tumor and a higher PSA level. Perhaps, it has to do with locations of tumors and such, but my father had at about two months of researching and talking with others, before ultimately making his decision. Is there a reason that you must decide in the next couple of weeks.
In Reply to: Re: Just diagnosed w/prostate cancer - alternatives? posted by P [20.1955] on December 01, 2006 at 15:23:47:
The recommendation is to have surgery within 3 months of diagnosis. This particular doc is already scheduling into the end of Jan. as he is in very high demand (most patients are from outside the area). If it goes longer than 3 months, hormone treatments are the course of action until surgery. I definitely don't want to take that course.
Thank you very much for your reply.
In Reply to: Re: Just diagnosed w/prostate cancer - alternatives? posted by SteveZ [4805.2967] on December 01, 2006 at 20:11:59:
You may want to look into cryosurgery. I am not sure if it would be good for you particular case, but it was my understanding that the cryo had better results as far as side effects.
Good luck - I hope things go well for you.
~~~8>
In Reply to: Just diagnosed w/prostate cancer - alternatives? posted by SteveZ [4805.2967] on December 01, 2006 at 15:09:07:
Hi, Steve.
It would be presumptious of me to try to make a recommendation from here. However, I can say what I would do in your shoes:
1. I would not be rushed into any approach without more information than you have given me. Especially with prostate cancer there is no rush!
2. Much depends upon the cell type and your hormone levels. What are they?
3. I would gather all of my records regarding this in my hand and see a specialist in the most modern approaches to this condition at a teaching medical school hospital. IF he comes up with the same approach THEN consider the doc you are presently considering.
4. Remember that "To a hammer, everything looks like a nail!" Your surgical specialist will therefore recommend surgery when your best chance may be either hormone therapy or radiation of a combination of both.
Let us know what you learn.
Walt
In Reply to: Just diagnosed w/prostate cancer - alternatives? posted by SteveZ [4805.2967] on December 01, 2006 at 15:09:07:
Flaxseed oil with cottage cheese was taken by a man diagnosed with this when he was about 70. He's now in his 80s and doing well.
There are 2 or 3 Yahoo groups forums on FSO + CC (Flaxseed oil with cottage cheese) and many or most have reversed their cancers and are doing fine.
Some people get great results with IV vitamin C.
Many people reverse cancers just by changing their lifestyle and diet.
In Reply to: Just diagnosed w/prostate cancer - alternatives? posted by SteveZ [4805.2967] on December 01, 2006 at 15:09:07:
read 'Recalled by Life' by an MD who treated his own prostate cancer with a macrobiotic diet. You can probably find a copy on half.com
In Reply to: Re: Just diagnosed w/prostate cancer - alternatives? posted by ANN [1003.516] on December 02, 2006 at 08:11:38:
Ann,
This was pancreatic cancer--a cancer that is many times more dangerous than prostate cancer.
Walt
In Reply to: Just diagnosed w/prostate cancer - alternatives? posted by SteveZ [4805.2967] on December 01, 2006 at 15:09:07:
Look up http://www.oasisofhope.com. I have had friends that have done both conventional and alternative. The alternative ones fared much better. I know people who have gone to the above clinic and had spectacular results. An acquaintance scheduled their surgery 3 months out and went to the clinic first. He ended up not needing the surgery much to his Dr's amazement!
In Reply to: Just diagnosed w/prostate cancer - alternatives? posted by SteveZ [4805.2967] on December 01, 2006 at 15:09:07:
Hi Steve,
Most prostate cancers are slow-growing and many men have them identified after they have died of some other old age related cause.
Is yours known to be a rapid growing type?
If not, another opinion might be worthwhile.
http://www.drmirkin.com/men/8922.html
How many PSA tests and biopsies did you have and what was the reason for such an agressive approach?
Were there actual symptoms that prompted a search for PC? If it was only a high PSA AFTER a biopsy then another biopsy, and another PSA test which was even higher... they might be chasing their tails in a viscious circle.
here are some articles that explain the results of such a chase...
http://www.drmirkin.com/men/1557.html
http://www.drmirkin.com/archive/7009.html
You are going to love the following article...PRINT IT.
If you must do something... the least invasive and debillitating is the implantation of radioactive seeds into the prostate. Obviously, your present doctor does not know about this, or he would have told you.
http://www.drmirkin.com/men/9117.html
In Reply to: Re: Just diagnosed w/prostate cancer - alternatives? posted by SteveZ [4805.2967] on December 01, 2006 at 20:11:59:
Hi Steve,
Just wondering if you are in the Seattle Washington area?
Read the following article and you will see why I said that.
In Reply to: Just diagnosed w/prostate cancer - alternatives? posted by SteveZ [4805.2967] on December 01, 2006 at 15:09:07:
Hi Steve,
My dad had a very agressive cancer at about your age and had to have surgery. But normally prostate cancer doesn't grow that quickly, so I would guess that's why Dr. Stoll said it depends on cell type.
At 45 years old I would certainly look into every alternative available before doing the surgery.
Your doctors should be able to answer these types of questions. I think they are required to by law, but I don't know if that means much to them.
In Reply to: Re: Just diagnosed w/prostate cancer - alternatives? posted by Ron [1013.2966] on December 03, 2006 at 01:29:29:
I don't think mine is a rapid growing type. The cancer was picked up on the third biopsy, and, yes, my PSA scores did seem to jump every time I had a biopsy. I think the aggressive approach was because of my age and that I had ever increasing PSA scores and a %free PSA of 10 then 9 (less than 25 is a signal). The doc did mention the seed implant. The problem is, if that fails, or there is reoccurance, future options are very limited.
In Reply to: Re: Just diagnosed w/prostate cancer - (A question.) posted by Ron [1013.2966] on December 03, 2006 at 01:35:56:
No, I am on the east coast. Interesting article. It does point out a general them....what happens after 5 and 10 years?
In Reply to: Re: Just diagnosed w/prostate cancer - alternatives? Archive. posted by Walt Stoll [93.1889] on December 02, 2006 at 06:56:43:
I will get a copy of the pathology report. No tests for hormones levels have been done that I'm aware of...just PSA & %free PSA. What hormones should be monitored?
This doc is associated with a teaching hospital, but he performs this surgery 4 days a week, all day, so I can conclude that surgery is his bias.
There is a lot of info on the internet re: blood ph levels and cancer (all diseases). The jist is, get the ph where is should be and you have a much better chance of killing off the cancer cells....they cannot live in a slightly alkaline, oxygen rich environment. There are a number of internet sites, one in particular is by Larry Clapp....an impressive personality that cured his prostate cancer on his own. There are many other sites, but they all come down to pretty much the same thing, ph level. The theory is based on the work done by Otto Warsburg in 1931 for which he won a Nobel prize. The sites also stress wholesome food, exercise, and relaxation, just like you have talked about for years.
In Reply to: Re: Just diagnosed w/prostate cancer - alternatives? posted by Lurch [140.2967] on December 02, 2006 at 07:51:48:
Thanks. So much info to go through. This is all great info to research and to mention when I talked to various other professionals.
Thanks again.
In Reply to: Re: Just diagnosed w/prostate cancer - alternatives? posted by dmaryd [5278.2967] on December 02, 2006 at 18:03:52:
Thanks. I checked out the website and will call them.
In Reply to: Re: Just diagnosed w/prostate cancer - alternatives? posted by P [20.1955] on December 01, 2006 at 15:23:47:
If I elect for surgery, I have to schedule it now since the doc I am working with is highly sought after. He is already scheduling into the end of Jan. If I don't do something within 3 months, the doc wants to put me on hormone treatment in the meantime to hold things where they are until another course is decided upon.
I think I am going to schedule the surgery and also seek alternatives. If the alternatives work out, I will cancel the surgery.
In Reply to: Re: Just diagnosed w/prostate cancer - alternatives? Archive. posted by SteveK [4805.2967] on December 03, 2006 at 12:42:35:
Thanks, Steve.
The efficacy of any hormone approach depends upon your own hormone levels (testosterone, DHEA, etc.) and cell type.
I would be interested in the % of patients who come to this doc who have surgery recommended. Presently the approach for any particular case varies widely depending upon many factors. Eventually this will be sorted out but it has not yet been even remotely settled.
You say you are on the east coast. It just happens that I know of a compprehensive prostate cancer center on the east coast (New England area) that is not wedded to any particular approach.
Walt
In Reply to: Re: Just diagnosed w/prostate cancer - alternatives? posted by SteveZ [4805.2967] on December 03, 2006 at 13:22:46:
Steve,
ANY sales pitch that says "hurry"--especially with a cancer like prostate and ESPECIALLY when no cell types have been reported or hormone levels have been even done, would raise warning signs to me! Remember that this is only my opinion but I do not think that you have nearly enough information to base the direction of the rest of your life on yet!
Walt
In Reply to: Re: Just diagnosed w/prostate cancer - alternatives? Archive. posted by Walt Stoll [93.1889] on December 04, 2006 at 07:17:32:
I am in the NE area. How can I get the name and contact info for center?
Thanks
Steve
In Reply to: Re: Just diagnosed w/prostate cancer - alternatives? Archive. posted by SteveZ [7769.3143] on December 04, 2006 at 10:41:05:
Thanks, SteveZ.
I called my contact in MA about this to be sure I had the exact information and had to leave a message. If I do not forward this info within 48 hours, try again and I will jack him up.
Walt
In Reply to: Re: Just diagnosed w/prostate cancer - alternatives? Archive. posted by SteveZ [7769.3143] on December 04, 2006 at 10:41:05:
Well, Steve, here it is:
Contact Dr Lo at the Lahey Clinic. His phone number is(781) 744-8780. You should be able to go from there.
He will let you know what further information & records he needs to accept the referral. You might tell his office that, indirectly, this referral came from Dr Donald Read from Amherst.
Good luck. You will not be sorry you got this additionial opinion before doing anything irreverable.
Let us know what you learn.
Walt
In Reply to: Re: Just diagnosed w/prostate cancer - alternatives? Archive. posted by Walt Stoll [93.1889] on December 06, 2006 at 10:37:44:
Thank you very much. I will give him a call Thurs.
In Reply to: Re: Just diagnosed w/prostate cancer - alternatives? Archive. posted by Walt Stoll [93.1889] on December 06, 2006 at 10:37:44:
Thank you very much. I will give him a call Thurs.
In Reply to: Re: Just diagnosed w/prostate cancer - (A question.) posted by SteveZ [4805.2967] on December 03, 2006 at 10:52:05:
Hi Steve,
I guess the studies are not any older than the numbers mentioned.
We will have to wait to see what time brings.
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