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Brachytherapy

PhoenixM
PhoenixM CSN Member Posts: 2 *
edited March 2024 in Prostate Cancer #1

I have recently been diagnosed with locally advanced prostate cancer. Gleason 9 stage 4a. My cancer has spread outside my prostate to a very enlarged lymph node in my pelvic region. I’m currently taking Orgovyx +Abiraterone and my Radiologist is recommending IMRT. Ive been doing research that suggests brachytherapy +IMRT+ADT will lead to a better outcome. My question is has anyone choosen brachytherapy + IMRT+ ADT as their treatment plan and what has been the outcome? I know brachytherapy has to be done by a very experienced Radiologist who does a high volume of these seed implants to be successful. Can anyone recommend a Radiologist who is an expert in brachytherapy?

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Comments

  • centralPA
    centralPA CSN Member Posts: 447 Member
    #2

    Are you thinking HDR or LDR brachytherapy? Or not sure?

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  • vmen70
    vmen70 CSN Member Posts: 4 Member
    #3

    I am Gleason 8, and my radiologist would not do Brachy + IMRT + ADT. As I am 72 years old he felt the toxicity/side effects would be too much. Not sure but he is the expert. So just IMRT + ADT. I am just about completed the 2 year of ADT. Luckily my side effects been not too bad. Main effects is hot flashes and more times during the night peeing. Not sure its because I wake up do to flashes or not. Good luck to you!

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  • PhoenixM
    PhoenixM CSN Member Posts: 2 *
    #4
    https://csn.cancer.org/discussion/comment/1714079#Comment_1714079

    I’m not really sure. I have a virtual meeting set up with a Radiologist at UCLA who specializes in HDR. Have you had any experience with brachytherapy?

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  • centralPA
    centralPA CSN Member Posts: 447 Member
    #5
    https://csn.cancer.org/discussion/comment/1714121#Comment_1714121

    Just deep reading.

    Fox Chase has a nice webpage on it.

    https://www.foxchase.org/clinical-care/conditions/prostate-cancer/treatment/radiation-therapy/brachytherapy


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  • Otis335
    Otis335 CSN Member Posts: 3 Member
    #6

    I'm 71 and was diagnosed with 4+4 last fall. Negative PSMA scan. I'd been on AS for a couple years and did research to prepare myself in the event I needed treatment. I was impressed with how brachy is associated with better results - it makes a lot of sense to treat the prostate directly. I started Lupron on 11/1/23 and had one session of HD brachy later that month (not seeds). In December I had 16 IMRT sessions.

    MO originally said 12+ months of Lupron. During this process, I finally got my second biopsy opinion (Johns Hopkins) which changed my diagnosis to 4+3. Now MO says 6 months ADT is ok, so won't get any more shots. It's obviously way too soon to give results, but my PSA has been undetectable since week 4 and my testosterone is in single digits. I had a follow-up with RO this week and she is very comfortable we treated it aggressively.

    Brachy was done at UTSW, an NCI center in Dallas. It was a full-day process; the only drawback was needing a catheter for a couple days. No other complications. The IMRT and Lupron do present some side effects that I'm working through. But I believe this was the best treatment for me and I'm glad I did it.

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  • Steve1961
    Steve1961 CSN Member Posts: 736 Member
    edited March 2024 #7

    If any of your cancer is cribiform be careful cribiform is radiation resistant I had I MRT and Breaky therapy. The side effects were not that bad . I got loose bowels now that’s about it but I have to take Flomax in order to urinate but it didn’t work so now I’m having surgery.

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  • watertender
    watertender CSN Member Posts: 10 Member
    #8
    https://csn.cancer.org/discussion/327814/brachytherapy

    Hello, Gleason 9 here T3aN0M0. Confined to prostate as far as I know. You are correct with your research as that is what I found also. I had HDR brachytherapy at UCLA Dr. Chang, one of the best in this procedure. Seems most are doing the seeds which can be somewhat more problematic.

    After the brachy I then had 25 IMRT whole pelvic & lymph nodes followed by ADT. Just finished my 2 yrs and so far PSA still down. You may want to contact Dr. Chang in Radiology at UCLA for a second opinion.

    Good luck to you.

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