Surviving Prostate Cancer without Surgery: The New Gold Standard Treatment That Can Save Your Life and Lifestyle [Paperback]

Michael J. Dattoli (Author), Jennifer Cash (Author), Don Kaltenbach (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 28, 2005

Unlike any other book on the subject, Surviving Prostate Cancer Without Surgery provides the most up-to-date information and lifesaving advice from three essential points of view -- physician, nurse, and patient-survivor. Three leading cancer care specialists guide readers step by step through diagnosis, treatment and recovery, covering both the physical and emotional challenges of the disease. The authors share their knowledge and experience as members of the prestigious Dattoli Cancer Center & Brachytherapy Research Institute of Sarasota, Florida.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

Patients who have been diagnosed with prostate cancer owe it to themselves to become fully informed about the disease and to know all their treatment options. As reported by the authors, the good news is there has been great medical progress in recent years and prostate cancer is now a highly treatable disease, one that can be cured without major surgery and its high risk of complications. Their book surveys the results of recent studies of all primary treatment options and discusses the pros and cons of each, addressing both cure rates and quality of life issues.

For most patients who are diagnosed early, the choice of treatment most often comes down to radiation versus surgery (radical prostatectomy), either with or without some form of hormonal therapy. Surviving Prostate Cancer Without Surgery provides the latest medical data and explains why more men are now avoiding surgery and instead choosing state-of-the-art radiation therapy such as seed implants (brachytherapy) and IMRT (Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy).

From the Author

According to Dr. Michael Dattoli, "Recent advances in the delivery of high energy photons, ultrasound imaging, and computerized treatment planning have essentially turned the tide against what was previously thought to be a disease most effectively treated by means of radical surgery. In just the past few years, we have seen a revolution in this field. One of the reasons that we were inspired to write on this subject is the fact that many surgeons have not kept up with the changes and are misinforming patients about their treatment options. We believe at this time that an overview of prostate cancer care and treatment from a non-surgical perspective, as presented in our book, is crucial for every patient wishing to receive the highest standard of care."

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Product Details

• Paperback: 284 pages
• Publisher: Seneca House Press / Pathway Book Service (dist.) (March 28, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0964008882
• ISBN-13: 978-0964008885
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.5 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,074,387 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

84 of 85 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Highly recommended, April 10, 2005

By 

Al in NYC (New York, NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Surviving Prostate Cancer without Surgery: The New Gold Standard Treatment That Can Save Your Life and Lifestyle (Paperback)

Like the previous reviewer ("Peace of Mind"), I found solid reassurance in this book but for different reasons, not the least of which is knowing that I chose the right path for myself.  I'm a retired lawyer and I was treated successfully with radioactive seeds and IMRT over two years ago at New York's Memorial Sloan-Kettering. My PSA has since fallen almost all the way to zero and as far as I know, I'm now cancer-free.  I've probably read most of the popular books about prostate cancer, those by radiation oncologists like Dr. Dattoli, as well as those by urologists like Dr. Walsh, and also a fine book by an oncologist, Dr. Stephen Strum, who specializes in hormonal therapies.  Aside from having an interest based on my own case, some years ago I happened to represent a patient who brought a malpractice suit against his urologist because the radical surgery had unfortunately resulted in a serious complication for which there was no remedy.  We've all heard those terrible stories, but this really was a case where the cure was probably worse than the disease.

Regardless of your opinion about malpractice, all doctors who treat prostate cancer have biases that are based on their own specialties. They recommend what they know how to do because of their training, and not always with the best interest of their patients in mind. It's more than a little unsettling for patients to realize that regardless of which type of treatment we choose to have, there's no 'magic bullet' and there will always be some chance that our cancer may come back.  As a radiation therapy "team," the three authors of this new book offer a very thorough and balanced presentation of this whole complicated field. What helped me the most was learning that I still have quite a few treatment options if my cancer should ever return, including being "re-seeded," or cryotherapy, or even having the dreaded prostatectomy. 

I think both surgical patients and radiation patients stand to benefit from Dr. Dattoli's discussion of the treatment options after recurrence.  More recently diagnosed patients should also benefit from the unusually clear comparisons of the various treatments in terms of their cure rates and side effects. Those critical comparisons are based on the results obtained by the very best practitioners of each type of treatment (radiation, surgery, etc). As anyone who's gone through it knows, the decisions aren't easy.

This book is very readable, with diagrams, graphs and photos to illustrate the important points in each chapter.  The authors also offer a lot of helpful advice for the wives of men with prostate cancer, especially useful in this age of Viagra and Cialis and other lifestyle issues (like cutting the red meat out of our diets!).  I don't think that anybody should make a treatment decision based on one doctor's opinion or on one book, but this one comes across as fair and informative even though it's written primarily from a radiation point of view, since radiation is the most widely used prostate cancer treatment and also one of the options after surgery fails.  Highly recommended if you're searching for answers and a healthy perspective. 

72 of 73 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars For prostate cancer patients making decisions, April 16, 2005

By 

Buddy (Tampa, FL) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Surviving Prostate Cancer without Surgery: The New Gold Standard Treatment That Can Save Your Life and Lifestyle (Paperback)

I'm posting two reviews on here because the two books are mostly about the same subjects but from opposite points of view. I'm a new prostate cancer patient but my older brother went through it almost ten years ago and thanks to him I already knew a little about what to expect. He survived with surgery and so I haven't let myself get depressed about it, worried for sure, but so far not really down or bent out of shape.. I had my first PSA test back in 1998 and sort of expected it sooner or later, and then this year, bingo, it was my turn alright. But it wasn't my PSA that did me in, it was a lump my doctor found with the digital rectal exam. Then came the bad news I had a positive biopsy (and be forewarned, those biopsy needles turn your prostate into a pin cushion, which maybe is easier for some guys but still NOT a pleasant experience no matter what anybody tells you). I have to read a lot of technical books for my job and I plowed through these two prostate books just to be able to understand my own doctor's results and figure out what the hell to do next. One was Dr. Peter Scardino's surgical book and the other was Dr. Dattoli's radiation book. I think they're both good even with their "biases" and disagreements, and which one is better for you might just depend on who you believe more and what you want for yourself.

I think it's like both of these doctors say in their books, deciding the right treatment is like deciding between buying a Lincoln or a Cadillac. Only it's more of a gamble for us because we have to play the odds with being treated. What are the chances that I'll be cured? How likely is it that I'll have problems later on? It's all about percentages. My urologist told me I have a choice between prostatectomy and radiation (or else doing nothing). So I can either have my prostate cut out or I can have it zapped with radiation seeds. Fortunately, both are covered by insurance and for me it's turning out to be pretty much of a no-brainer because of my early stage and low risk that the cancer has spread. But if you're facing it, like every doctor will tell you, you've got to decide for yourself with your own PSA and Gleason scores and whatever your needs are and instincts tell you. There is a learning curve and both these books are a good way to start on it because they REALLY force you to test yourself and your doctors.

Unlike many other surgeons, my urologist does both the surgery and the seeds and he lets his patients decide which they want and tells them what his own results have been for each kind of treatment. No pressure either way. His results were published in the medical journals this year and that study might help you find your way through the maze to get a handle on where the books are coming from and where your own doctors are coming from. This was a big 12-year study by six urologists in their group practice who treated more than 1700 patients who had either the surgery or radiation. If you're interested you can find it on Google or Yahoo by searching under "Dr. Jerrold Sharkey" and the University of South Florida. Hope it helps. So cutting hairs, I guess I'd have to say Dr. Dattoli's book is a little more focused in for me and also he agrees more with my urologist so I'll give him the five stars and Dr. Scardino the four, with sincere thanks to both for being my devils advocates. My advice would be to read them both because the more knowledge that we have going in the better off we're likely to be no matter what happens later on down the line. Writing this was my own way of thinking it through again, hopefully for the last time, and I'll end by saying GOOD LUCK to all of us who find ourselves in this situation.

55 of 57 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A potentially lifesaving book brimming with information, May 7, 2005

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Surviving Prostate Cancer without Surgery: The New Gold Standard Treatment That Can Save Your Life and Lifestyle (Paperback)

Radiation oncologist Michael J. Dattoli, M.D., Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner Jennifer Cash, and prostate cancer survivor and executive director of the Dattoli Cancer Center and Brachytherapy Institute Donald Kaltenbach present Surviving Prostate Cancer Without Surgery, a potentially lifesaving book brimming with information on the treatment options for those diagnosed with prostate cancer. In addition to possible choices of radiation, radical surgery, or some form of hormonal therapy, Surviving Prostate Cancer Without Surgery offers the latest medical data on state-of-the-art radiation therapy such as seed implants and IMRT (Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy). From its title, Surviving Prostate Cancer Without Surgery may appear to strongly advocate non-surgical approaches, but in fact the title is simply a reaction against the long-standing favoritism of surgery to the extent of perpetuating myths concerning how effective it truly is. Surviving Prostate Cancer Without Surgery gives an evenhanded assessment of various options, including statistical data with an eye toward possible contradictions or innacuracies hidden within the numbers. The goal is to provide the reader with as much information as possible, in clear, easy-to-understand terms, concerning prostate cancer, how it can be treated, why some men are more or less likely candidates for surgery than others, the risks involved in different types of treatment including risks of temporary or permanent incontience or impotence and how to get help - not only medical help, but also emotional and financial help. A "must-read" for anyone researching or personally grappling with difficult questions and problems concerning prostate cancer, the better to confront one's doctor and discuss options with as much knowledge about the situation as possible. Highly recommended.