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Seed Implant Successful Treatment & Introduction

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Prostate Cancer
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Posted 7/19/2014 12:26 AM (GMT 0)
I am 61 years old and was diagnosed with prostate cancer with a Gleason score of 6 my PSA was 7.2 when it was detected and then dropped down to 4.0 after another PSA test. I had no symptoms to indicate any issues. I was diagnosed in Nov. of 2013 and was scheduled for surgery near the end Jan. of 2014. Upon visiting my primary care doctor for a pre op exam, he was not happy with my choice of treatment options. He said of course I could choose any of the available options but if it were him he would use the seed implants. I was not offered the seed implant option because my cancer was fairly aggressive. I was offered external beam radiation and this is why I originally opted for surgery. My urologist told my that anything I did now would be good so as a result I opted for the seed implants. I had the Volume Study performed at the Chicago Prostate Center in early Feb. 2014 and had the seeds implanted Feb. 27th. My first PSA test score was 1.6 and my primary care doctor put me fish oil twice daily. I went back to the Chicago Prostate Center on July 14 and my PSA test score was .06. I have virtually no side affects (save the normal frequent urination the first 2 months) from this procedure and am able to maintain a normal sexual lifestyle as before the procedure. Please see Dr. Moran at the Chicago Prostate Center for more details as it could really make a difference in treating you the patient and not just treating the cancer.
Posted 7/19/2014 2:51 AM (GMT 0)
I think your primary care doc is a real asset to you! Why were you "not offered the seed implant option because my cancer was fairly aggressive.". With a Gleason of 6 and PSA dropping back to 4? I'm pretty sure I wish I had had your primary care doc to advise me. My PC was def aggressive at G9 and PSA rising steadily, but I still wonder if I should not have gone the RT route, or HT/RT. Many are quite happy with the surgical route, maybe I will be someday. And I can't complain about my < .01 PSA for now, that's hard to beat. But, I just think I would probably do it more like you did, so good on you! Then again, I did not have a crystal ball. When my surgeon told me he felt odds were good it was still contained, and IF it was he could offer me a cure, well that was a strong influence. But it was not contained( 1 tiny foci margin and SV+), so, there you go. Some testosterone block to shrink it, then seeds+EBR, probably would have given me just as good or better cure odds. Since it was not contained, I'm thinking better. I think you made a good choice.
Posted 7/19/2014 12:03 PM (GMT 0)
Environ,
Glad to hear of your success, but not at all surprised. I only wish that more guys would consider brachy before jumping into surgery.
Posted 7/19/2014 12:05 PM (GMT 0)
Hello and welcome. I'll echo what BillyBob said about your PCP's fantastic insight and guidance. With your PSA readings and Gleason 6 you would have had a number of treatment options open to you. So glad you found Moran and the CPC; I am an extremely happy 'alumni' now 22 months post treatment and things continue to go great. Best wishes to you, and I would encourage you to "Pay Forward" to help others that will unfortunately come our way.
Posted 7/21/2014 3:40 PM (GMT 0)
Glad to hear the great news. Congrats!!
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