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Would you go ahead with a Prostate removal?
Long story... 69 year old Male
I've had a enlarged Prostate for a few years....PSA has been as high 16's and as low as 5.27 on finasteride.
3 biopies the last one MRI-computer guided they only found a couple small lesions but no cancer... that was 2 years ago
July this year in the middle of the night..I couldn't pee... went to the ER
they did the optilume processor and catheterized me and sent me home...3 days later they removed the catheter and that night I stopped peeing again....Back to the ER..back in went the catheter..this time 7 days in.... 2 day after removal I couldn't pee back to the ER
and I went to see my Doc within a week..They taught me to self catheter until I could see the surgeon ... I catheterized a couple times and then I just said nope..lets wait and see and it was fine, no problems for a 10 days...Saw the Surgeon he set up my next appointment for Oct 7th..for all the test...
He does the robotic..removal through your penis Yikes...lol
So I've only had to catheterized one time in the last 3 weeks but I do get blood once in a while and I think maybe it was a clot that caused that...
My question is this.... Since everything seems to be working and if it does stop I know how to self-catheterize ...Should I go to the extreme and remove the prostate..if they don't find cancer on the 7th..I mean I don't know if they are looking or doing a MRI or ?..
I just feel like maybe I'm going to far and maybe the end results will be worse then the present problem..which other than maybe stop peeing, there isn't nothing new.
One other kicker.........I've hit my Out of Pocket max with my INS..so this would be 100% paid......LOL jeeezzz
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Wherever (Center of Cancer Excellence) or whatever procedure you choose
whoever is the most important: The skill of the healthcare provider ranks the highest among considerations.
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1 Reaction@casd57
I think I would still want a second opinion from a urologist at a center of excellence.
Surgery may be right, or it may be too much. I wish you the best in your search for the answer to your problem.
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3 Reactions@casd57 are they in the same hospital, practice? I’d get independent second opinion from another hospital. Preferably a Center of Excellence.
@malligood
Yes they are..and you make a good point..
On my next visit I'm going to ask for more cancer screening. Because at this point if there is no cancer and my urination problem is under control.. I'm about 80% sure I'm going to avoid prostate surgery... Why poke the beast 🙂
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3 Reactions@casd57 You need more information regardless. I agree with others that I would want an outside of your facility second opinion at center of excellence or CCC facility. I would be interested in how they remove a prostate through your penis. Usually they cut the urethra near the bladder neck then sew it back up after removal with a cath in place. I don't see where in your post that you mention cancer. BPH can be ablated without removing the prostate and without the side effects of removal. I hope you get it sorted out and don't have cancer.
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1 ReactionI hope I never have to make the choice.
Yea.....Well the con's out weight the Pro's in my situation ....unless cancer shows up.. So this is probably going to be an easy choice.
Just got to get through the Oct 7th testing..cystoscopy..and whatever else they dream up.. But before then I want to see if they can screen for cancer... maybe a MRI ??
@casd57 Has your PSA been increasing (general rule of thumb is to double the reading if on finasteride)? That would be a reason for a MRI, and if lesions are found follow up with a fusion biopsy.
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1 ReactionI would think a center of excellence would do an MRI immediately, if not I would insist on it. This will be a big piece of the puzzle regarding treatment. Once you see the results of an MRI then you can make some real decisions. I think you are right about NOT removing the prostate. There are just too many other options to consider. Best wishes.
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1 Reaction@copyman
My BPH was noted on a CT scan a year ago. Been on disasteride and 5mg Cialis since then. Getting another and a Cystoscopy in a couple weeks. Not really bothersome yet, but if needed would opt for something less than TURP.