The Strum and Walsh books

I have been doing quite a bit of reading (as I said elsewhere, information overload has arrived). I think the two that I've seen recommended the most are the Strum and Walsh books.

Both books are very good.

Frankly, I find the Strum book a bit deep at times. He seems to  express strong opinions at times, but, heck, he is certainly an expert.  I do find the Walsh book much easier to read. I guess it's a question of style. Walsh seems to have a slight bias towards surgery (and towards Johns Hopkins) but that's his specialty. He doesn't seem to say much about ROBOTIC surgery, but since it is basically the same surgery I assume his surgical comments are on target even if it is done robotically.

I'd appreciate the views of my esteemed forum brothers regarding these two books. I know there are a dozen other worthwhile books, but for now I'll stick with these two.

Mel

Both books and some others are very good on PCa. I have read both and many others, Dr. Strum (past co-partner was Dr. Scholz also)has personally seen about every scenario presentation patient case on PCa and has had to treat these people, he knows all about all the treatments and they are listed in his book, he says all treatments have their place in PCa, that is rather honest and shows some unbias, he also knows the experts pathology guys probably personally(as he uses their expertise on evalutating his patients) and Barantz (combidex) and others. His book was 'The Book' used by USToo.org(prostate cancer support group nationwide thing) in Arizona(group) back in 2003-5 as their text book per se. Sure I guess I would be biased as I endorsed his book also and my comments are on the inside cover on 2nd Edition with a photo, along with some other PCa fighters like Terry Herbert, Richard Weigle, Judy Thurman (husband died of PCa)...of whom I met on the internet years ago. In my situation this book has been my best info I could find, as I was not a candidate for successful surgery.

Now for someone whom is a likely successful patient for surgery you should own both books or you could skip Dr. Strums book, but if you fail surgery you would pay dearly to read his book thereafter. See what Terry Herbert says on the back cover...his website is www.yananow.net (prostate cancer group) I have talked with Terry over the years, he knows plenty about PCa, ask him on his website if this book is all that good, I doubt he changed his thoughts on it.

Anyone whom is seriously looking into surgery should have Walsh's book and others on surgery methods etc. Learn from many sources and compare, you will know which books are no so good after you read 4-8 or so.  Knowledge is power and conquers fear (like Andrew has said).

 

Post Edited (zufus) : 12/6/2009 7:54:15 PM (GMT-7)

Zufus:

Which of the ugly mugs is yours in the book?

(First name?)

Mel

Mel, et.al,

Walsh is obviously very accomplished and as he says in his book, prefers "open" surgery so he can feel the subjects of his efforts. Most men in this forum refer only to 2 techniques: 1) open, or 2) robotic/da Vinci. It should be understood that daVinci is a form of laproscopic surgery. Many docs, including mine and at Washington U. prefer non-robtic laproscopy so they can also feel the gland. Surgeon friends of mine in other fields have told me that many facilities "push" daVinci as a marketting effort to be on the cusp of technology, so to speak. Of course many men here have gone through it but non robotic laproscopy is also another alternative. (It is lso one less hole in you.)

Ted