Connect
I want to learn more about side effects of robotic prostatectomy
Hi all:
I am 65 and have recently been diagnosed with prostate cancer. I am stage 2A with a Gleason score of 7 (3+4). The MRI found one small lesion, but two biopsy samples were positive. One in each lobe.
I am reluctant to have the surgery due to the possibility/probability of ED and incontinence issues.
I am very interested in hearing from guys who have opted for active surveillance verses surgery (and why they made that choice), as well as men that have had the robotic surgery to hear what their recovery was like.
Any help is greatly appreciated. Thank you.
Like
Helpful
HugInterested in more discussions like this? Go to the Prostate Cancer Support Group.
Connect
@diverjer Thanks for that and it truly is to be available for the grandchildren and sharing the legacy of our time on the planet..
@sandguy glad it was not your experience. I had no intention of discouraging anyone from surgery in fact I specifically encouraged the surgery as it is worth all the down side to get rid of cancer! Thanks for you pointing out your concern. The surgery is worth it if you need it’
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionI was 70 when diagnosed with two cores of cancer, one @ 3+4. This was after 2 MRIs were negative. After consultation with 3 doctors and family, decided on RP. Surgery went fine with no unusual side effects. I had zero incontinence issues. However, my post pathology report showed my cancer as 4+5. For the past 2 1/2 years my PSA has been < 0.01. Based on my experience, I’m glad I chose surgery. To you, make sure you are comfortable with your biopsy results. As you see, mine were not the same. Best wishes!
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
3 ReactionsMilkerbn
Last January (2025) at 72 years old a prostate biopsy showed that I had a significant 4+3 tumor on the right side and a smaller 4+3 tumor on the left side. In February I had a PSMA pet scan that showed no cancer outside of the prostate. My highest psa had been 10.3. Due to riskier 4+3 cancer and its large size I chose RP which was completed on May 5. Surgery revealed that I had a very large prostrate almost 3 times as large (83g) and that it protruded up into the neck of the bladder. So as part of the surgery the surgeon had to reconstruct the neck of my bladder adding about an hour to the surgery time. Overall the surgery went fine even with this difficulty. The post surgery biopsy of the prostrate showed that I did not have clear margin on the right side and that the cancer had actually spread outside the prostrate to both of the seminal vesicals. The cancer was also identified as cribiform and intraductal. Surgeon was able to save the nerve on the left side but not on the right side and the seminal vesicles are removed as part of the RP. As a result of these biopsy results I was rated a high risk and pTb3.
Post surgery recovery followed the normal path but I had to wear the catheter for 14 days due to the bladder reconstruction.
Ok, current condition 9 months post surgery. I had very little incontinence from the very beginning and so am mostly back to normal. ED is still here and doing penal rehab with daily 5mg cialis and vacuum pump so still hoping for the best. Use Bimix injections (Trimix too painful) with good results. Good news is that 4 PSA tests post surgery all show no detectable PSA so I am very hopeful for the future. So with the results showing significant cancer that had spread outside of the prostrate (which was not evident in the PSMA pet scan probably due to their very close relationship with the prostrate) and the nature of the cancer I am very happy having had the RP. Not happy with the ED but that is part of the process and recovery, but I am alive and right now cancer free. Hope this helps. Rick
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 Reaction@rkenitz
It took 3 1/2 years after my radical prostatectomy before my PSA started rising and I had salvage radiation. I have BRCA2, which causes the cancer to come back. You had intraductal and cribriform Which makes the likelihood of reoccurrence extremely high. When someone has those two things there is no treatment that is known to completely resolve it.
Did you get a decipher test? That may give you an Idea about your reoccurrence chances, And timeframe.
It’s great to hear you’re doing so well. With the drugs, we have today day you can live quite a long time, They’ll probably have new treatments that can take care of whatever happens in your future. That’s what I’m hoping for.
Hi @mikerbn,
I am scheduled to go RARP on 26 Mar. Send me a private message so can remember to give you feedback once I am out of the surgery.
@dinu
I am scheduled for April 6th. Good luck to you and best wishes for a swift and complete recovery.
Hi:
I want to thank everyone that took the time and kindness to reply to my post and share their stories. My genomic test came back with a score of .86. Therefore I have decided to go forward with RARP. I am scheduled for April 6.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
4 Reactions@mikerbn
will keep in touch. Do you know if you are getting single port or multiple port?
@dinu
Multiport