John
Chandler lives in the USA. John was 65 when he was diagnosed in February 2001.
He was staged T1c with a PSA of 3.8 ng/ml (free PSA 9%) and Gleason Score of 3+3=6
- one core positive (31%) from ten cores. His current PSA is less than 0.04 ng/ml.
Here is his story:
I
had surgery (an open RRP) at Johns Hopkins on July 31, 2001 at age 65, done by
Dr. Alan Partin. The pathology report was favorable: all surgical margins negative,
Gleason score still 3+3, no extracapsular extension, seminal vesicles and lymph
nodes negative, both nerve bundles spared. I had an excellent recovery in all
respects.
My
PSA has been undetectable. In my opinion, surgery is one viable treatment for
early-stage PCa, IF it is done by an "artist" such as Dr. Partin...
My
PSA continues to be undetectable. I maintain what I regard as the best list of
supposedly good RP surgeons in the U.S. and Europe. I also maintain lists of U.S.
specialists in imaging, radiological oncology, and medical oncology.
I
e-mail these lists to anyone requesting them. (Of course no guarantee is made
concerning the performance of any given physician.)
Latest
PSA was in December 2006: <0.04 ng/mL, "undetectable".
For
me, surgery by an "artist" or "magician", Alan Partin, was the right choice, but
I never recommend any one treatment to any man. Study, choose, and don't look
back! WW is certainly an option for early-stage PCa, particularly if imaging is
used annually.
If
a man chooses surgery, I don't think anyone could find a better surgeon or physician
than Partin: "Dr. Partin is a doctor's doctor." to quote Dr. Charles "Snuffy"
Myers, eminent PCa medical oncologist.
I
have annual PSA tests, and my PSA is still undetectable. My prostate cancer was
caught early enough that I might be cured, although we won't know that until I
die with an undetectable PSA ;-) .
I'm
still working full-time at age 72, and I still enjoy my work.
Good
luck and best wishes to you!
John's
e-mail address is: jpc@cs.okstate.edu
