Newly Diagnosed With Prostate Cancer Why Choose Robotic Prostatectomy
When first diagnosed with prostate cancer, its common for men to wonder what the future will hold. Certainly, a prostate cancer cure is a top priority, but then what?
Dr. David Samadi understands that men want to know:
-
Will I have sex after prostate cancer?
-
How will sex after prostate cancer be different?
For many men, prostate cancer treatment choice determines these answers.
If you select robotic prostate surgery your chances of enjoying sex after prostate surgery are very high. Robotic prostatectomy is a minimally invasive prostate removal. It is considered one of the best treatment options for prostate cancer due to its success rate and fast recovery rate.
The da Vinci robotic prostate cancer surgery system enables the surgeon to make precise movements. This ensures cancer-removal efficiency and sparing of the nerves and muscles that are responsible for the sexual function.
However, it is absolutely critical to choose a robotic surgeon with a high case volume and extensive prostate surgery experience. The robot does not perform the surgery and technology is no guarantee of success.
Dr. Samadi explains how the preservation of sexual function is possible:
If my only responsibility was to remove the cancerous prostate, my job would be much easier, he acknowledges, But patients deserve much more than that. It was paramount that I find a way to remove the prostate gland without damaging functions critical to a comfortable and enjoyable life after recovery.
Dealing With Erectile Dysfunction: For You And Your Partner
The following information is based on the general experiences of many prostate cancer patients. Your experience may be different. If you have any questions about what prostate cancer treatment services are covered by your health insurance, please contact your health care provider or health insurance provider. This education material was made possible by a Grant from the California Department of Justice, Antitrust Law Section, from litigation settlement funds to benefit Californians diagnosed with cancer or their families.
Update On The Longest Longitudinal Study Of Men Undergoing Radical Prostatectomy
In 1982, Dr. Herbert Lepor;was a co-author of the landmark publication study describing nerve-sparing anatomic radical retropubic prostatectomy, which greatly improves oncological and functional outcomes.
Dr. Lepor initiated a prospective Institutional Review Boardapproved outcomes study in October 2000. The study examined factors such as survival and disease recurrence as well as functional outcomes such as lower urinary tract symptoms, urinary continence, and sexual function following nerve-sparing anatomic radical retropubic prostatectomy.
Since then, more than 2,000 men have been enrolled into what has become the longest longitudinal study of men undergoing radical prostatectomy. More than 90 percent of men enrolled in this study were reported alive 10 years after radical prostatectomy, and aging exhibits effects independent of functional outcomes.
Read Also: Does An Enlarged Prostate Affect A Man Sexually
S Men Can Take To Improve Or Recover Orgasms
This doesnt mean that some men dont have difficulty experiencing orgasm after radical prostatectomy. The missing sensation of fullness and the lack of ejaculate are big changes. But there are some things you can do to correct the problem, according to Dr. Kacker.
Men can achieve an orgasm on their own with manual stimulation or with a partner through manual or oral stimulation. Just remember that an erection is not needed. Using a vibrator on the head of penis is often helpful. Vibration can stimulate the nerves in the penis and increase the signals being sent to the brain.
Can I Have An Orgasm Without An Erection
Yes. An erection is not necessary for orgasm or ejaculation. Even if a man cannot have an erection or can only get or keep a partial erection, with the right sexual stimulation you can experience an orgasm. Your orgasm has little to do with your prostate gland. As long as you have normal skin sensation, you can have an orgasm.
Also Check: Does Enlarged Prostate Cause Constipation
What Is The Life Expectancy After Prostate Removal
. Besides, can you live a long life after prostate cancer?
You can live a long time with prostate cancer, maybe even decades. If you catch and treat it early, you might even be able to cure it.
Secondly, can you still get hard if you have your prostate removed? When you have a radical prostatectomy, you have surgery to remove your prostate gland. These nerves, blood vessels, and muscles may be weakened when you have surgery for your prostate cancer. However, you may find that you cannot have an erection even a year or more after surgery.
Moreover, what happens if you have your prostate removed?
Side effects of prostate surgery. The major possible side effects of radical prostatectomy are urinary incontinence and erectile dysfunction . Men with stress incontinence might leak urine when they cough, laugh, sneeze, or exercise.
Are you ever cured of prostate cancer?
The short answer is yes, prostate cancer can be cured, when detected and treated early. The vast majority of prostate cancer cases are discovered in the early stages, making the tumors more likely to respond to treatment. Treatment doesn’t always have to mean surgery or chemotherapy, either.
Will Radiation Therapy Cause My Hair To Fall Out
Only people who get radiation to the scalp or the brain may have hair loss. Others wont. If it does happen, itâs usually sudden and comes out in clumps. In most cases, your hair will grow back after therapy stops, but it may be thinner or have a different texture.
Some people choose to cut their hair short before treatment begins to make less weight on the hair shaft. If you lose hair on top of your head, be sure to wear a hat or a scarf to protect your scalp from the sun when you go outside. If you decide to buy a wig, ask the doctor to write a prescription for one and check to see if its covered by your insurance or is a tax-deductible expense.
Also Check: Prostatitis Symptoms Mayo
How May Erectile Dysfunction Affect My Sex Life
Most men find that their sex life is different after prostate cancer treatment. Some men question their manliness when they cannot have an erection or find that they are not interested in sex. This can happen even if you are not currently in an intimate relationship. You may find this upsetting. Even if one of the medications or erection aids is helpful, having sex using these things may take some getting used to. It may not feel entirely natural. You can talk with your doctor or healthcare team about these feelings. Counseling may also help.
If you have an intimate partner, it is important for you to talk to your partner about how you are feeling. There is an old saying that a problem shared is a problem halved. Not everyone wants a sexual relationship. Dont try to guess or assume what your partner wants. Have an open and honest discussion with your partner.
This may seem unnecessary in long-term relationships as people tend to assume they know all there is to know about their partner but this is not always the case. With time, you and your partner may be able to find satisfying ways to have a sex life even though you have erectile dysfunction. Your partner will also have concerns about your sex life as well as concerns about your health. Talking about your feelings is very important during this time.
How Does Nofap Truly Work What Are The No Fap Benefits
Fine, but how does nofap make you successful?
Pretty simple. If we look at people who stopped masturbating and quit porn for good, we see them thrive. There is not a single person who said their life got worse when they stopped masturbating. Not one!
Show me one if you know them. Ill wait.
But how does nofap do that? You keep your life-force in, your body doesnt need to produce sperm all day, it can use the energy for other stuff in your body as I mentioned above.
You are less irritated, generally, because you dont do your basic survival instinct with pixels on a screen and shoot it down the toilet.
You become more confident since you know yourself. You arent a loser who cant get laid and masturbates to porn. Because, well, its embarrassing, isnt it? You dont go out and freely tell people you rub one out every day, do you?
So there is something inherently negative about it.
As opposed to having actual sex which you are totally fine telling people about. There IS a difference. This is where men that have sex every day are Testosterone monsters and men that fap every day are weak losers. Hard to grasp, but it is reality.
Then how does no fap make you successful again? By not being a sore loser mentally, and by having a physical body that can make use of the energy we all possess.
This isnt external validation. I am not judging you. Nobody is. YOU do it. You know very well you sort of feel depressed, hate yourself, feel weak.
Read Also: Does Cialis Shrink The Prostate
How Is Prostate Cancer Treated
For many;men with prostate cancer, treatment is not immediately necessary.
If the cancer is at an early stage and;not causing symptoms, a policy of watchful waiting or active surveillance may be adopted. This involves carefully monitoring your condition.
Some cases of prostate cancer can be cured if treated in the early stages. Treatments include surgically removing the prostate, radiotherapy and hormone therapy.
Some cases are only diagnosed at a later stage when the cancer has spread. If the cancer spreads to other parts of the body, typically the bones, it cannot be cured and treatment is focused on prolonging life and relieving symptoms.
All treatment options carry the risk of significant side effects, including erectile dysfunction and urinary incontinence. For this reason, many men choose to delay treatment until there is a risk the cancer might spread.
Newer treatments,;such as;high-intensity focused ultrasound ;or cryotherapy, aim to reduce these side effects.;Some hospitals may offer them as an alternative to surgery, radiotherapy or hormone therapy. However, the long-term effectiveness of these treatments are not yet known.
You May Like: Prostate Cancer Shortness Of Breath
Sex After Prostate Surgery And Achieving Orgasm
Sex after prostatectomy is an important concern for most men. The total removal of the cancerous tissues is the primary goal, but the quality of life after prostate surgery is also important. Worrying about ED makes men be nervous and anxious when thinking about undergoing radical prostatectomy.
However, whilst most patients focus on erectile dysfunction, orgasm is somehow under-considered. But is it possible to achieve orgasm after prostatectomy? Erections and orgasm are equally important for a healthy sex life.
The good news is that sex after prostate surgery is very possible and enjoyable for most men. This is due to the newest robotic technologies that are nerve-sparing and preserve the sexual function.
Dr. Samadis robotic prostate surgery, SMART Surgery, was explicitly designed to spare the tiny nerve bundles surrounding the prostate in order to preserve sexual potency.
Men who undergo Dr. Samadis robotic prostate surgery have a reasonable chance of regaining complete erectile function for sex after prostate surgery.
You May Like: What Happens To The Prostate Later In Life
What Is Advanced Prostate Cancer
When prostate cancer spreads beyond the prostate or returns after treatment, it is often called advanced prostate cancer.
Prostate cancer is often grouped into four stages.
- Stages I & II: The tumor has not spread beyond the prostate. This is often called early stage or localized prostate cancer.
- Stage III: Cancer has spread outside the prostate, but only to nearby tissues. This is often called locally advanced prostate cancer.
- Stage IV: Cancer has spread outside the prostate to other parts such as the lymph nodes, bones, liver or lungs. This stage is often called advanced prostate cancer.
When an early stage prostate cancer is found, it may be treated or placed on surveillance . If prostate cancer spreads beyond the prostate or returns after treatment, it is often called advanced prostate cancer. Stage IV prostate cancer is not curable, but there are many ways to control it. Treatment can stop advanced prostate cancer from growing and causing symptoms.
There are several types of advanced prostate cancer, including:
Biochemical Recurrence
If your Prostate Specific Antigen level has risen after the first treatment but you have no other signs of cancer, you have biochemical recurrence.
Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer
- Lymph nodes outside the pelvis
- Bones
Can Anything Be Done For Erectile Dysfunction Caused By Prostate Cancer Treatment
Yes, there are things you can try if you have erectile dysfunction after your prostate cancer treatment. You should keep in mind that the following things will affect your ability to have an erection after your prostate cancer treatment:
- How good your erections were before your treatment
- Other medical conditions you have like high blood pressure or diabetes
- Some types of medicines you may take such as medicines for high blood pressure or antidepressants
- Things you do in your life such as drinking or smoking
- Your age
- The type of prostate cancer treatment you had
It is important that you and your partner speak with your doctor or healthcare team about what you can do. Your doctor or healthcare team will speak with you about what might work best for you if you have erectile dysfunction. It is important that you speak with them since some treatments for erectile dysfunction can affect other medical problems you may have.
Types of treatment for erectile dysfunction include:
Also Check: Does Enlarged Prostate Cause Constipation
Drugs To Treat Cancer Spread To Bone
If prostate cancer spreads to other parts of the body, it almost always goes to the bones first. These areas of cancer spread can cause pain and weak bones that might break. Medicines that can help strengthen the bones and lower the chance of fracture are bisphosphonates and denosumab. Sometimes, radiation, radiopharmaceuticals, or pain medicines are given for pain control.
Side effects of bone medicines
A serious side effect of bisphosphonates and denosumab is damage to the jaw, also called osteonecrosis of the jaw . Most people will need to get approval from their dentist before starting one of these drugs.
Dont Miss: Does Enlarged Prostate Cause Constipation
Pain During Erection Or Ejaculation
Some men find that erections and ejaculating is painful after surgery, or during and after their course of radiotherapy.
Painful erections following surgery could be due to internal bruising caused by the operation. The tube which carries urine from the bladder to the outside of the body ;gets inflamed by the radiotherapy treatment.
This side effect should disappear a few weeks after you finish radiotherapy or as you recover from surgery. Talk to your specialist nurse for specific advice. If masturbation and sex is important to you, its important to keep stimulating the penis to keep it healthy. On the other hand, if erections are very painful, you might need to avoid ejaculation for a while and try again later.
The penile injections to stimulate an erection can cause painful erections in some men. This pain might lessen with continued treatment.
Recommended Reading: Does An Enlarged Prostate Affect A Man Sexually
What Are Other Possible Early Side Effects From Radiation Therapy
Other early side effects you might have usually depend on where you get the radiation.
Eating Problems
Radiation therapy to the head, neck, or parts of the digestive system can make you lose your appetite. But its important to keep eating a healthy diet while youâre having treatment to keep your body strong.
- Try eating five or six small meals spread out through the day instead of three large ones.
- Try new recipes or foods.
- Keep healthy snacks on hand. It will help you eat when youre hungry rather than waiting for mealtimes and maybe losing your appetite.
Mouth Problems
Before you start radiation to your head or neck, see your dentist for a thorough exam. Radiation can cause problems in your mouth that include:
- Mouth sores
- Trouble swallowing
- Jaw stiffness
Tell your cancer team about any of these problems so they can help you feel better. To help manage these side effects:
- Avoid spicy and acidic foods.
- Dont smoke, chew tobacco, or drink alcohol.
- Brush your teeth often with fluoride toothpaste and a soft brush.
Hearing Problems
Radiation therapy to the head can sometimes cause hearing problems. One reason might be that it hardens the wax in your ears. Let your doctor know if you have trouble hearing.
Nausea
Penile Rehabilitation After Prostate Removal May Include:
- Prescription medications. Medications, called phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors, work for many men unless their nerve bundles were damaged or removed. These medications include Viagra and Cialis.
- An injection. Your body makes prostaglandin E1, a substance that helps your body have an erection. A made-made version is now available. Your doctor can teach you to inject this at the base of your penis about 5-to-10 minutes before intercourse. The injection is virtually painless; this medication is also available as a suppository placed into the tip of your penis.
- Vacuum devices. These devices draw the air from around your penis. The vacuum created brings blood into your penis, creating an erection.
- Penile implants. A device is surgically implanted into your penis. Penile implants provide a lasting solution for ED, lasting 10 or 15 years. There are risks, but if none of the other penile rehabilitation methods work, many men agree that a penile implant is a cosmetically-acceptable solution for their prostate cancer-related erectile dysfunction.
Also Check: External Prostate Massage For Prostatitis