I just got diagnosed a few days ago with prostate cancer, Gleason score of 6-7. I have had the j-pouch for a little over 20 years and have had my issues with pouchitis, etc. I'm 64 years old, and I think in reasonably good health otherwise.
Has anyone here had recent experience with the various treatments?
Thanks,
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Hey!
Have you been able to identify a doctor who can remove the prostate?
My father was diagnosed a few weeks ago. The cancer hasn’t spread, but he needs to do something soon.
He wants to pursue the prostate removal, but his doctors in Dallas don’t have experience with it in J-Pouch men and don’t want to do it.
Thanks for your help!
Mike
Are you doing better???
I’m in Orange County ca. Just got diagnosed with prostrate cancer looking for a surgeon myself. Have you had any luck locating one?
Hey @sahbumnim! So sorry for your diagnosis! Trust you’re on a platform where you’re not alone!
My father was diagnosed at the end of June! After searching and being referred to numerous doctors, we found a few! The one we went to and had great success with was Dr. Jeffrey Karnes at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN!
When we spoke to him in August he admitted prostatectomies in J-Pouch patients weren’t all that common, but mentioned he had actually successfully performed 2 in the last 6 weeks (look at God’s timing!)! We knew right away this was our guy!
My father gets his updated PSA in 35 days or so (to confirm he’s cancer free), but we’re praying and claiming he is in fact cancer free now!
Will certainly be praying for you! You WILL be just fine! @sahbumnim
I am sorry to hear that honey! I hope everything goes well for you! I hope the surgery you get is a success!
Please let us know how everything goes, sending love your way <3 
Thank you for the prayers
Hello, Is there a follow up on this subject? What was the outcome of the surgery? My husband too has prostate cancer and is running out of options.
Thank you!
Hey! My father had a successful prostatectomy in September of 2021. His 3 subsequent PSA tests have confirmed that there is no cancer. He’ll have another PSA in the next month or so. We’re praying that test confirms he is still cancer free.
Jeffrey Karnes at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN did my father’s prostatectomy. There are others we consulted with that can do the procedure as well.
What are some of the questions you have that I may be able to answer?
Thank you so much! We are in LA. The docs here (UCLA and Cedars) say the prostatectomy is not an option because of adhesions and difficulty getting to the prostate. They say that if they do it, they run a high risk of incontinence. He had radiation once and the cancer came back (Gleason 4+3). He is taking hormones, and the PSA is coming down but has terrible side effects. We are considering either a Tulsa Procedure or a second round of radiation (salvage). Both are risky. He is 78 and otherwise in good health. Plays golf 5 days per week, travels and has a very positive attitude. I think surgery may be an option - but not here; a consultation with your doctor may be a great option us. We cannot find a surgeon in LA that has done the prostate removal with a patient on a j-pouch! Thanks again.
I have a jpouch and had a successful prostectomy in December. My surgeon is the best in the world out of USC Keck Urology. Indibar Gill
We already spoke to him! He thought (6 years ago) that the surgery would be too tricky - had never done a j-pouch prostatectomy and may just have to open him and close him up. He thought there was a high risk of failure. He has lots of adhesions. But then again, it is 6 years later and maybe it is time to talk to Gill again. Sorry to ask, but are there any incontinence issues for you?
thank you!!!!
No incontinence.
many thanks!
My dad doesn’t have any issues with that, thankfully.
Dr. Karnes warned that there was a chance of permanent incontinence and a chance that the j-pouch could be violated. These were the same reasons 3 “top rated” doctors in TX refused to do the prostatectomy on my father. However, as stated, my father’s procedure was a huge success! My father’s numbers were astronomically high. So high, one doctor said that surgery was a futile attempt at removing the cancer, because although imaging showed the cancer hadn’t spread, it more than likely had with a PSA score of 24.
On the surface it made sense, but we kept the faith and got a successful result!
Best of luck with the next PSA and thank you for sharing your information.
Thank you! Will be praying for you and your husband! Don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions! God bless
Got my pouch in 2003. Had my prostate surgically removed 01/2021. Dr. Bo Shen at Columbia Presbyterian NYC is following my pouch. Prior to surgery I consulted with radiology/freezing/surgery. The consensus was surgery. Dr. Joel Decastro was my surgeon. He had prior experience with pouch patients. Very pleased with him. A couple months later I started having incomplete emptying and pouchitis. Defocagraphy and manometry determined my pouch had lost the support that my prostate provided to the pouch. My pouch was also twisting when emptying. Citroen covered the pouchitis. Dr. Shen placed rubber bands in my pouch to expand it, and create scar tissue inside. The purpose was to create scar tissue inside and stiffen the pouch. The bands come out while defecating. Was also prescribed bio feedback physical therapy to retrain my pouch to work properly with my anus. Early in the PT but I have seen some relief. In the middle of all that i learned I had a bacterial infection from yersinia. Most often caused by consuming undercooked pork. Symptoms resembled pouchitis. Still, I am glad I had my prostate removed. Best of luck.
