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Robotic prostatectomy and lymph nodes dissection
Prostate Cancer | Last Active: Oct 30, 2023 | Replies (21)Comment receiving replies
I had this done 6 months ago. All nodes were negative. I have had some lymphedema in my right leg since then...water retention/swelling in the ankle and lower calf due to the change in the lymph drainage from the leg. I manage it with exercise and compression stockings.
Before I retired, I was a gynecologic surgeon. With that knowledge, it was inconceivable to me that I would undergo the risk of major cancer surgery without removing the lymph nodes which drain the prostate area...that's how cancer starts its spread through the body. Not having the information obtained (cancer present in the nodes or not) precludes knowing whether further treatment might be needed in addition to the surgery. Removing the lymph nodes is part of why they call the surgery "radical".
Compared to the after effects of 3 months of improving urinary incontinence and on-going erectile dysfunction, the lymphedema was the least of the surgery's impact on my life since.
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I read your comments about the removal of your negative lymph nodes/glands to avoid major cancer surgery. I was diagnosed 10 years ago with prostate cancer. My psa was a 21. So I opted for radiation seed therapy, my psa stayed under a 5 for ten years. A month and a half ago my psa went up to a 13. So I had a PET scan done, and it found two spots both less then a cm a piece. But they dont/can't say it's cancer, the doctors are calling them suspicious for now. For a month and a half I've been taking 1000mg of Abiraterone, and 5mg of Prednisone, with one injection on Lupron. Since that month in a half, my psa is at 0.3 now.
But my concern is at times I feel a little funny/weird down in my right side my leg and in my pelvis area, the same side of where my cancer was In my prostate. The feeling in my pelvis isn't pain, but I know it's there. Sometimes the feeling will shoot down the inside of my right leg. My concern is how will I know if these suspicious spots are cancerous? My oncologist told me they are to small to do a biopsy at this point. Also I wanted to know if the doctors, or my oncologist will be willing to just wait and see what develops with my psa numbers?
Or can the doctors do a laparoscopy surgery? Or just take to out the cancerous cells/tumors? Or do they take out some surrounding lymph glands? To get it all? How will this affect the way the lymph glands to the pelvis area and the leg area. I know these are a lot of questions guys, but the unknown can be stressful. I fo have a appointment the first week on November with my oncologist, in which I will ask these questions as well, I just wanted to reach out to my community of men that may be or have experienced cancer in tge lymph node glands?? Thanks all of you, and trusam1 for your patience to allow me to inquire about this possible further treatment.