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brachytherapy and BPH

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Posted 12/1/2012 12:55 AM (GMT 0)
If one has moderate BPH, does undergoing brachytherapy for prostate cancer lead to prostate shrinkage with reduced BPH symptoms after time?

Any information is greatly appreciated!
Posted 12/1/2012 6:38 PM (GMT 0)
Brachytherapy will not help with already present urinary symptoms, such as BPH. In fact, if severe enough..it would probably disqualify you from having brachy as your treatment plan.
Posted 12/1/2012 10:21 PM (GMT 0)
The reason I am asking is I thought the radiation would destroy the prostate and alleviate the problems of enlarged prostate.
Posted 12/2/2012 12:06 AM (GMT 0)
la pilot,
Brachy will reduce BHP, but will not help in other urinary issues such as strictures. Perhaps this is what Powelist was referring to. I can certaintly attest to Brachy eliminating BPH. I had a 60cc prostate which was reduced to 32cc with Casodex prior to Brachy. All symptoms of BHP have disappeared and the last DRE estimated my prostate size at 20cc at 3 years after treatment.
Posted Yesterday 12:48 AM (GMT 0)
John T,

You answered my question. The only symptom I have is peeing a couple times at night. My PSA is up to 5 now and I will be going in to have the prostate measured in a couple of weeks and then recompute for PSA density. Then decide if I need to go through on getting a biopsy (not looking forward to that).
And if cancer will probably go for LDR or HDR brachytherapy if eligible.

Lapilot
Posted Yesterday 3:13 PM (GMT 0)
Generally HDR brachytherapy can be used for prostates that are too large for LDR, or when there are pubic bone restrictions. As JohnT said, Cassodex and/or Avodart/Proscar can be used to shrink the prostate before brachytherapy. I was on HT for one month before starting IMRT and about two months before HDR brachytherapy. On the website wwwcetmc.com information regarding brachytherapy and enlarged prostates is provided.
Posted Today 3:36 PM (GMT 0)
Guys, Thanks for the information!

I am down visiting friends in Sarasota Florida (which by the way is home to Dattoli Cancer Center, famours for brachytherapy research).

When I get back home I will see urologist to measure my prostate for PSA density. I had PSA and %fPSA done (PSA 4.9, 16 %fPSA). Are there any other test prior to biopsy that can be done to predict cancer?

Thanks,
LaPilot
Posted Today 5:11 PM (GMT 0)
A PCA3 is a urine test done after the prostate is massaged. It is better than psa and predicting the presence of PC and also may indicate it's aggressiveness.
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