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Positivity posts about Brachytherapy

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User
Posted 24 Mar 2021 at 13:06

Good afternoon,

wondered if anyone could share with me their brachytherapy journeys please? 
My dad who was diagnosed two weeks ago with T2, Gleason 3+4, bone scan clear, is undecided on treatment.

He’s been offered surgery (he’s ruled that out for sure), Pace-c trial (wasn’t enough info for him to consider), hormone therapy with brachytherapy or hormone with RT.

He doesn’t know anyone whose had brachytherapy, so thought I’d show him some of your stories if you’re comfortable sharing? 
He’s spoken to quite a few friends who have had RT, but I’m keen for him to hear other experiences for Brachytherapy please. (Low dose)..

THANK YOU all in advance.

 

User
Posted 24 Mar 2021 at 16:51

Hi Gemma,

I may be able to offer some help with Brachytherpy.I was diagnosed in April 2016 at the age of 70 and had Brachytherapy in September 2016.My PSA was 2.19 and Gleason 3+4=7 and 5 cores out of 20 positive.I had the operation at Mount Vernon going in on a Sunday premeds and operation on Monday and sent home on the Tuesday once i was passing's water ok.

If you click on my Avatar you can follow my journey and i would be happy to answer any questions if it helps.

Overall my journey was ok and less worrying than i thought it would be but of course everybody has different outcomes.

My PSA numbers have dropped on every test so far  and are at 0.08 and my Specialist signed me off in January 2021 with just yearly tests.

 

Regards John.

 

 

 

Edited by member 25 Mar 2021 at 17:06  | Reason: Day correction

User
Posted 24 Mar 2021 at 18:03
Have a look at Johsan's posts - her husband had successful brachy.
"Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards." Soren Kierkegaard

User
Posted 24 Mar 2021 at 20:27
Hi Gemma,

Welcome. I see that your father is considering Brachy. Here's a link to my post that summarises my experiences of HT/EBRT/ LDR Brachy. My Avatar gives a brief summary (click on the left)

https://community.prostatecanceruk.org/posts/t26895-My-HT-EBRT-LDR-Brachy-Experiences

As an update, I have virtually no remaining side effects since my treatment in Dec last year.. Last month I had my first meeting with the consultant since the treatment. He was very pleased with the procedure and subsequent scan. My first blood test gave undetectable psa, but I think that's only to be expected as the HT is still in my system. The crux will come in my next blood test scheduled for Aug....that's when I will become nervous awaiting results!

User
Posted 28 Mar 2021 at 11:36

I had my Brachy in 2018 and it has been successful. I didn't have the hormones though, they decided it wasnt needed. I had 72 seeds and a total of 72 Grays Units. I believe that is about the same dose as RT by other methods. EDIT I note that the amount of radiation by any method can vary. I suppose it depends on many factors. END EDIT

Side effects were managable, mainly bowel and bladder irritation, but they subdued eventually.

I was 76 years old at the time and I did not want major surgery, so an excellent result for me.

I also had advice from this forum, good job I did, thanks guys.

John

Edited by member 28 Mar 2021 at 11:43  | Reason: Correction

Gleason 6 = 3+3 PSA 8.8 P. volume 48 cc Left Cores 3/3, Volume = 20% PSA 10.8 Feb '19 PSA 1.2

Jan '20 PSA 0.3 July '20 0.1 Jan. 21 < 0.1 Dec 21 <0.01 June '22 <0.01 April '23  <0.01

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User
Posted 24 Mar 2021 at 16:51

Hi Gemma,

I may be able to offer some help with Brachytherpy.I was diagnosed in April 2016 at the age of 70 and had Brachytherapy in September 2016.My PSA was 2.19 and Gleason 3+4=7 and 5 cores out of 20 positive.I had the operation at Mount Vernon going in on a Sunday premeds and operation on Monday and sent home on the Tuesday once i was passing's water ok.

If you click on my Avatar you can follow my journey and i would be happy to answer any questions if it helps.

Overall my journey was ok and less worrying than i thought it would be but of course everybody has different outcomes.

My PSA numbers have dropped on every test so far  and are at 0.08 and my Specialist signed me off in January 2021 with just yearly tests.

 

Regards John.

 

 

 

Edited by member 25 Mar 2021 at 17:06  | Reason: Day correction

User
Posted 24 Mar 2021 at 18:03
Have a look at Johsan's posts - her husband had successful brachy.
"Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards." Soren Kierkegaard

User
Posted 24 Mar 2021 at 20:27
Hi Gemma,

Welcome. I see that your father is considering Brachy. Here's a link to my post that summarises my experiences of HT/EBRT/ LDR Brachy. My Avatar gives a brief summary (click on the left)

https://community.prostatecanceruk.org/posts/t26895-My-HT-EBRT-LDR-Brachy-Experiences

As an update, I have virtually no remaining side effects since my treatment in Dec last year.. Last month I had my first meeting with the consultant since the treatment. He was very pleased with the procedure and subsequent scan. My first blood test gave undetectable psa, but I think that's only to be expected as the HT is still in my system. The crux will come in my next blood test scheduled for Aug....that's when I will become nervous awaiting results!

User
Posted 28 Mar 2021 at 11:36

I had my Brachy in 2018 and it has been successful. I didn't have the hormones though, they decided it wasnt needed. I had 72 seeds and a total of 72 Grays Units. I believe that is about the same dose as RT by other methods. EDIT I note that the amount of radiation by any method can vary. I suppose it depends on many factors. END EDIT

Side effects were managable, mainly bowel and bladder irritation, but they subdued eventually.

I was 76 years old at the time and I did not want major surgery, so an excellent result for me.

I also had advice from this forum, good job I did, thanks guys.

John

Edited by member 28 Mar 2021 at 11:43  | Reason: Correction

Gleason 6 = 3+3 PSA 8.8 P. volume 48 cc Left Cores 3/3, Volume = 20% PSA 10.8 Feb '19 PSA 1.2

Jan '20 PSA 0.3 July '20 0.1 Jan. 21 < 0.1 Dec 21 <0.01 June '22 <0.01 April '23  <0.01

 
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