Good Evening

Good evening and welcome to HW. Sorry you have to show up here, but glad you came. There's lots to do here, so dig in. First thing could be making up a signature with the particulars of your trip so far. Go to the Control Panel, then Edit Profile, scroll to the bottom and fill in the signature box with your stats and history. Again, welcome.

Welcome grouchytx,
You have arrived at what I consider the best forum on the web for patient to patient discussion of this disease. We have members at all stages who have undergone all the different treatments encompassing successes and complications. The input from people who have already been down the road you are on is invaluable. Many are extremely knowledgeable and all are keen to help. I have seen many come to this forum full of anxiety and woe (we have all been there) and within a week of speaking with members their entire perspective of this disease changes. No question is off limits so if you have any ask away.
Bill

Welcome Grouchy to HW, glad you were able to find us.

You stats are pretty serious. With your Gleason and PSA so high, why did you turn down surgery? Certainly not questioning your right to choose what you want. In my area, based only on the stats you provided, seeding would not have been reccomended. You show a Biopsy Gleason of 5+3 = 8, that 5 component is some extremely serious and agressive cancer cells as you know.

Perhaps you can share some more about your situation.

This is a great place for support, no matter what treatment plan a person takes. We have several men that did "seeding", so I am sure they will add some advice on the subject.

David in SC

Glad you found the best site in the E-world..Good luck to you...God Speed

jnm

Grouch,

Like us all, the hardest decision was what to do and where. You made the decision and there is no looking back. Bet wishes in your treatment.

Ted

There is nothing wrong with your decision and protocol and it has a good statistical record and for even a high risk patient (as to control and long term side effects)...the key in any treatment is the expertise of the one doing such. It is quite likely you will do well as to possible side effects from this and might even have manhood intact down the line and continency, so there are some positives to look towards (coming from this dark horse-LOL).

I would presume you are getting IMRT radiation via photon rays and not using any outdated machinery like EBRT machines. New patients whom likely know little or nothing on radiation there are various types of machines available, 3 possible rays that can be used against PCa and they have differences within them. Type of delivery, exposure time-rates-amounts are variables that the rad-onco doc could advise you about, if interested. With seeds and exterior radiation it can be done, seeds first or outside radiation first (there are discussions on the merits of even that). Total body exposure to radiations, has a limit also as to the safety range and you could ask your doc are you getting the absolute max within those limits, if your case merits such, not all cases would merit such. You can read about side effects that are considered the normal course of action so you know what you can probably expect. It can be better than one might anticipate, in the old days radiation was bad with alot of collateral damage and patients with issues thereafter...I believe that is not what is the norm today and now.

Zufus-aka Neutrondbob: radiation & hormone therapies (patient-victum-LOL) -glad I found an excellent rad-onco doc with alot efforts (multiple opinions), Dx-2002 (total urinary blockage to emergency room) bpsa 46.6 12/12 biopsies 75-95% range in all of the 12 cores, with gleason scores found 7,8,9's on both sides of the gland, ct and bone scans showed clear (not definitive enough either is the way it is on such). Radiations:
2-machines used: Cyclotron-Neutron rays 10 sessions and then IMRT-photon rays about 20-25 sessions, got maximum rates I was told and asked for such. Still here and doing fine at this juncture...so coming up on 8 yrs., hopefully that inspires your case. One opinion I got was from Dr. Menon 1st DaVinci doc in USA, he said blunty...I will not do surgery on you... He did not want the money nor probably the failed patient to show up a few weeks later. I valued his frankness and non-sugar coated opinion. The other surgeon I saw the day before his opinion was guaranteeing me a cure and 1% chance of incontinence. So, I was not shopping for the opinion I wanted to hear but for the truthfulness of what am I dealing with, maybe some see the value of second opinion(s).
Best to you

Post Edited (zufus) : 11/1/2009 7:36:23 AM (GMT-7)

Thanks to all of you for your comments and welcomes.

To answer a few of the questions:

I turned down the surgical options for a couple of reasons, the #1 being the probability of impotence.  Also the surgeon, who has a very good record and reputation stated that with my levels it would also be necessary to do the hormone and radiation treaatments.

I appreciated the link to the other site and will check it out.

The daily treatments are being done with IMRT.  Perhaps I am deluding myself, but I truly believe that the doctor I chose is pretty much on the cutting edge of treatment therapies.  As I mentioned, he pushed for also doing the hormone thing. He told me that statistics showed a 15-20% better success rate with it,  but I rejected it based on impotence.

I look forward to hearing from y'all.

Bill

Bill, I was just thinking the same thought. Of course I respect any decision you or another brother makes, whether I agree or disagree, its your life and your body.

But I hope your primary goal and purpose of your treatment is what is the best chance and opportunity to rid your body of prostate cancer. There isn't any treatment out there that won't have side effects, and with surgical approaches, you are going to hit those side effects of incontinence issues and ED right away, where as in the radiation and hormone methods, they will come later.

I am old school in my approach, I still agree with the thinking of my own medical team. Cancer first, Incontinence second, ED third.

Good luck to you.

David in SC

Dear Grouch:

Don't let anyone tell you that your choice of treament is incorrect.  There seems to be a myth (probably perpetuated by surgeons) that high G patients should start with surgery.  In fact, as zufus pointed out, there is plenty of data that indicates that your selection of radiation and seeds in high G patients provides good results.  I can, however, understand that your docs prefer to add HT to make sure but there IS a good chance of success with the path you have chosen.  And...as you well know...your SE's are likely to be much milder than if you had started with surgery.

Good luck and please let us know how you progress.

Tudpock