Time is running out for me to make a decision. My two choices are Proton Therapy or Robotic Surgery. My first choice is Proton Therapy primarily due to the non-invasive nature. I work for a medical company and have spent plenty of time in ICU and operating room theater environments, which makes me want to avoid. My one issue with Proton Therapy is an all-eggs-in-one-basket. On the chance, that cancer should reoccur surgery could be more challenging or a no option. Robotic surgery, although invasive, does allow for other options, such as radiation, if there should be reoccurrence. In addition, surgery does allow a look at the lymph nodes during the procedure. Whereas, with radiation does not or a separate procedure might be needed. My other concern with Robotic Surgery is the experience level. The learning curve on these machines is rather steep, so finding a surgeon who has hundreds of procedures under their belt with a good long-term success rate. I live in the Mid-Atlantic area, so any sites east of the Mississippi river are viable locations (Front-runners so far: Henry Ford, Detroit; Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland; OSU, Columbus, and Florida Hospital, Orlando, FL.)
Both options seem to have about equal results over the short term, and long term that is the major question, again if there is reoccurrence. Having worked in the medical field for almost twenty-five years, I have seen amazing advances in the cardiology field. I am banking that in the next five, seven, or ten years that advances in prostate cancer treatment options will be the same, where long term issues now will have viable solutions in the future. However, as with all things in life there are no guarantees.
Age: 52