PSA levels post HD Brachytherapy

User

Posted 21 Jan 2019 at 12:51

I was diagnosed with localised PCa in August 2017. After due consideration I decided to go the route of HD Brachytherapy + Radiotherapy. The Brachytherapy was carried out January 2018 and my RT finished in February after 15 sessions. I finished HT (bicalutimide) in June.

Since finishing my treatment I have had 3 PSA tests. One after 6 months, one at 10 months and the last one at 1 year. The results came back as:- 0.27, 0.41 and 0.8. I was concerned that the figures were rising but was assured there was nothing yet to be worried about.

Has anyone had a similar treatment route and could compare their experiences regarding PSA response.

Thanks, Peter

User

Posted 21 Jan 2019 at 17:40

Hi Peter, your PSA rise is perfectly normal and is a result of the HT leaving your body and testosterone being produced. As you still have a prostate, the healthy cells regenerate post-RT and these produce PSA.

There would only be a concern if your PSA rose over 2.0 and then continued to climb.

"Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards." Soren Kierkegaard

User

Posted 21 Jan 2019 at 18:57

Hi Macc Pete,

a recently diagnosed friend of mine is about to have the seeds and RT.

Can you please tell us about how RT affected your every day way of life?

dave

All we can do - is do all that we can.

So, do all you can to help yourself, then make the best of your time. :-)

I am the statistic.

User

Posted 22 Jan 2019 at 11:25

Hi Lyn,

Thank you for your reply. I should have realised that as the prostate recovers it would push up the PSA especially as I had also stopped taking the Bicalutimide, which was presumably holding it down. I feel more reassured that things are on the right path.

Thanks again,

Peter

User

Posted 22 Jan 2019 at 11:48

Hi Dave,

I had the HD Brachytherapy, not the seeds, which meant there was a high dose of radiation directly into the prostate for a short length of time and then the source was removed. I then followed up with 15 treatments of external beam radiotherapy to the prostate and pelvic area.

I was fairly side effect free directly after the treatment apart from tiredness. However after about 6 weeks I found that I was having problems going for a pee. I didn't actually have retention but had the urgency to go and found I couldn't or could only pee a little. It was also very stingy and unpleasant. I spoke to the specialist nurse at the hospital and also the Radiotherapy team. They advised me to increase the Tamsulosin I was taking to help improve the problem. I started taking one tablet in the morning and one in the evening which helped. After 2 weeks I was reasonably OK.

I am back to just one tamsulosin in the mornings now and my peeing is fairly ok. I still get a little burning occasionally but it is easily tolerable.

I have had some ED but that seems to be improving now and fortunately I've not had any other problems.

I am happy I took this course of treatment and hope that your friend has a very positive outcome.

Regards,

Peter

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