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Posted 2/16/2009 7:55 PM (GMT 0)
Just diagnosed a month ago, psa 4.3, gleason 6, t1c. Have been told I am not a candiddate for seeds because I have a existing BPH problem and taking flomax. The seeding will only make my uninary problem worse.

Anyone with a similar diagnosis? Did anyone opt for the seeds anyway?

Posted 2/16/2009 8:05 PM (GMT 0)
Welcome to Hw, new friend. I am glad to see ya, and hate you have to be here. There's loads of resources and experience here, so you should shortly get some replies to your particular situation. In the meantime, welcome. A signature with the pertinent details of your journey so far would be useful. Go to Control Panel, then Edit Profile, and scroll down to make one.

who told you the seeding would be worse? A Urologist or a Radiation doc? You should probably be asking a Radiation doc about it, as they have the most experience and specialize in it.
Posted 2/16/2009 8:46 PM (GMT 0)
Welcome from me also,

I cannot coment on your specific question, but as James as alluded to, Drs. tend to prescribe in their area of specialty. I would seek other opinons. And please post a signiture, you do it from the control panel and it will help those replying to you.

Best wishes. Scott
Posted 2/16/2009 8:58 PM (GMT 0)
hello and welcome, tough. glad and sorry you are here at the same time, as usual to all our new friends. but certainly glad you found us. we have one or more very experienced with "seeding" so perhaps they will pick up on you here and give their advice. hope we can help you.

david in sc

ps. if you dont mind, how old are you, and where do you hail from?
Posted 2/16/2009 10:10 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks guys! Just updated my profile. Has anyone used dr Peter Carroll at UCSF in San Francisco?

Chuck in Nor Cal
Posted 2/16/2009 11:48 PM (GMT 0)
 

 Check out the chart at http://www.prostate-cancer.com/index.html

It could be useful as a starting point of inquiry but never as a serious final choice determinate.

Posted 2/17/2009 12:03 AM (GMT 0)

Hello tough:

Sorry to have you here with us but I'm sure you will get plenty of advice as you travel this unfortunate journey.

David in SC gave me my cue to come in...I have had a recent experience receiving brachytherapy (seeds) and will try to answer your question.  And the answer is that your doctor has given you the generally accepted opinion about getting seeds with a BPH condition.  To quote www.prostate-cancer.com:

Those with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) are not candidates for prostate brachytherapy. The urinary side effects associated with brachytherapy are exacerbated if the patient already has BPH.

Of course you can always go to a radiation oncologist for another opinion, but this is the prevailing wisdom.

Tudpock


Posted 2/17/2009 12:30 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks for finding this, Tudpock!
Posted 2/17/2009 1:02 AM (GMT 0)
Dr. Peter Carroll is the head of the group at UCSF and very well respected by his counter parts accross the Nation, I have a lot of confidence on this team at UCSF.

Good Luck on your journey, and I might run into you at UCSF.
MB
Posted 2/17/2009 3:56 AM (GMT 0)
Hello nails , peter carrol was my second choice for a robodoc,he is VERY experienced with outstanding credentials ,and has very good outcomes ask some of the men on here ,  depending on your age and health, robotic might be a viable option.i went with kawachi at c.o.h. and traveled 400 miles to do it ... id do it again the same way in a minute,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,dirt scool
Posted 2/17/2009 12:41 PM (GMT 0)
Hey nails,
Welcome and yes, i was also ruled out from rad or brachy for the same reason -- very large (140 ml) prostate size. (You recall the little prostate model mock-up in the Doc's office only shows examples up to like 80 mls yah??). I had also looked around/reading and it seems that 60 mls is about the cut-off for acceptable Rad -- others might chime in on their experiences. (normal prostate is 20-30 mls). The doc can offer to try to shrink the size with androgen/avodart therapy for some months if it is close to the acceptable size ( not sure what risk is in waiting many months to do so?).
So for me I had the one choice only really. In some ways that was a blessing. Plus the thought of 7 weeks of rad treatment instead of the one-stop shopping of surgery seemed a nuisance. (OK seeds is usually one-stop too). Just 14 days out from surgery now and feeling OK (cath out tomorrow - yesssss!).
Keep thinking about it and reading..
Jim
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