Brachytherapy

Hello to fellow PC sufferers, families, & friends

I have -- after much research and thought -- elected to go with brachytherapy as my option. I know a lot of men have gone this way and am looking for some feedback. I am especially interested in the short and long term side effects of BT.

We flew behind the 123's in Vietnam while they were spraying Agent Orange -- O2 A's -- we were their
'eyes' so that they didn't run into anything because they kept right at tree top level. That sh** came into the cockpit and got all over us -- Monsanto told everyone that it was 'harmless' -- lying sob's.

Hung out with 8 other pilots over there -- I am the only one left. Most died from really strange cancers/diseases. darn I miss them. Think the only reason that I am still alive is because of my genes -- my parents are from the Ukraine where everyone lives to be over 100. (My parents are 96 and 92 years old -- BTW my father was at Guadalcanal from the day we landed until the day we pulled out).

I have PC -- but caught it really early -- always got my PSA checked frequently. I did the David Drew Clinic physical 2 years ago (complete physical -- I mean complete -- cost $4400). 2 years ago everything fine -- then PSA went from 441 to 586 in one year. Had prostate biopsy -- two out of twelve positive -- Gleason scores 3 + 3/ 4 + 3.

Have elected for brachytherapy -- it appears to have the lesser amount of side effects versus radiation therapy or prostatectomy.

I realize that all men get PC eventually if they live long enough. I got mine early probably thanks to Monsanto, Dow, and Bayer.

Sorry to be so long winded -- if you have time would appreciate hearing about your experience.

THANKS

Andrew

Thanks so much!!

I meant 4.41 to 5.86. (Can you imagine someone with a PSA of 586.0 -- ouch).

I guess I am also confused why anyone would go with radiation therapy or a prostatectomy if they had the
option for brachytherapy -- side effects seem so much less severe. I don't know.

Thanks again.

Beeman

PSA levels can climb into the hundreds and even thousands. It is a very scary place to be.

As Jim said, there are two types of brachytherapy: low-dose radiation (LDR) with radioactive seeds and high-dose radiation (HDR) in which the radiation is inserted into the prostate and quickly withdrawn. Typically, when someone uses the term "brachytherapy" they mean LDR, so if I had to guess that's what you're thinking of having. But it is an important distinction. That said, you asked about side effects and they are pretty similar for both flavors of brachy--mostly burning and urgency for a short period afterwards.

I'm also a supporter of brachytherapy (I had HDR brachy as one of my combo treatments), although I'm learning that there the right treatment depends on the person, their preferences and sometimes even their location. Good luck and do keep us posted as you move forward...

Beeman,
I am five years our from my LDR brachy treatment. My treatment was a one time procedure which required one night's hospital stay. I missed 3 days work and 1 week at the gym. My psa is less than 0.1 and has been for several years. I am continent and my sex life has never been better. Every time make love with my lovely girlfriend I am eternally grateful that I made the choice that I did. For the life of me, I don't know why more men don't take advantage of this treatment. You will be extremely happy with the choice that you've made.
I know very little about HDR brachy, but from what I've read here, the results are excellent as well.

Mr. Andy
Thanks

beeman said...
..As far as a second opinion I enrolled in a study -- I think this pretty much confirms what I suspected....

Ummm, while that is more than many people will have, you may find it worth your while and $250 for Epstein at Johns Hopkins or Bostwick to get a second opinion on the pathology of the biopsy.

If you were graded up or down, on your gleason score that may well change various considerations for treatment.

This is a somewhat murky path even at best and more information helps clear the picture up.

ETA - Since I am new, if any of the more knowledgeable members disagree, that will not hurt my feelings in the slightest and only help me have a better understanding.

Post Edited (Ken) : 12/3/2015 7:44:54 AM (GMT-7)

Hi Beeman,
I also had AO exposure, but have a hard time blaming it for my PC. Getting old was most likely the primary cause.
Had LDR with IMRT about 6 1/2 years ago. For the Brachy went in at 9 am and was eating lunch at noon, played golf the next day. 6 weeks of frequency and urgency that didn't affect daily activities. Absolutely zero side affects after nearly 7 years, never had any ED. Psa is .05 so I'm pretty happy.

HDR one year ago for me and I'm doing well. 💪💪💪

Beeman
I would have had brachytherapy but due to ten years of BPh it was considered inappropriate for me.
Bob

I had HDR brachy as a mono-therapy in October 2014. So far, so good, I am happy with my treatment decision. Whether you go with permanent seeds or HDR, do your research and go with a doctor who has a lot of experience.

Ii must agree with Tud! There is plenty of research to show very little seed migration with unstranded seeds and almost none with stranded seeds. Your BT guy did a less than professional job imho.

Tudpock18 said...

vaportrail said...


X-ray shows about half the seeds migrated big time...
-

Vapor, many of us brachy patients here had "stranded seeds". That process virtually eliminates the potential for migration.

However, if it's really true that "half" of your seeds migrated then something went seriously wrong. Even w/o stranding, the level of migration should be very low. Does your RO admit to a botched job?

Jim

I shouldn't have said "big time"... I guess that means the seeds aren't even still in the prostate gland?

Anyway, a good number of my seeds are horizontal, and towards the bottom of my prostate. Not where they should be, obviously.

I'm a veteran, and the VA sent me to an outside RO that specializes in breast cancer brachytherapy, but I was assured, that he was also and expert with prostate cancer as well, having directed the prostate cancer brachytherapy program at a local hospital for over 25 years. I think he has 4 clinics here in the valley?


His office has been trying to get the VA to authorize a follow up appointment, but I got denied...

I just saw the x-ray at the VA's urologist clinic. They have an attitude with me, acting like it was a huge mistake to have radiation instead of surgery, at my age. And saying that since the seeds migrated, it may be the reason my rectum issues.

But the way I see it, my tumor had already taken up half my prostate, and my 4+3 status means I would have a good chance of needing salvage radiation after surgery anyway... So I chose ebrt and seeds.

I don't know if the seeds were stranded or not. I just can't imagine a highly regarded RO with nearly 30 years experience that doesn't use the latest type of seeds-