For men in their 50s or 60s who chose brachytherapy or external beam

Mark3plus4
Mark3plus4 Member Posts: 5 Member
edited January 21 in Prostate Cancer #1

I'm 56 but one of my lesions is near a nerve and I don't think surgery is going to both preserve sexual function and get all the cancer, so I am leaning towards radiation. Yes yes, I know I might die sooner.

For those in their 50s and 60s who chose radiation, did you choose brachytherapy or external beam, and why? How recent was your choice and do you think the technology for either has changed significantly since then?

I'm getting down to the wire for when I have to choose, and these are the questions I'm asking.

Thanks all!

Comments

  • capecodder
    capecodder Member Posts: 8 Member
    #2

    When I met with my radiation oncologist at Dana Farber Cancer Institute as I research my options (65 yo, 3+3, 7/15 cores), he said I was not a good candidate for the seeds due to my long history of BPH and frequent urination. He will not do the 5-day high dose radiation (SBRT?) as he feels this technique is too new and he does not know long-term effects yet. He is pretty conservative in his approach, so not sure if others would be more open to it.

  • Mark3plus4
    Mark3plus4 Member Posts: 5 Member
    edited January 21 #3
    https://csn.cancer.org/discussion/comment/1720427#Comment_1720427

    Thanks for your answer. So does that mean you are leaning towards an external beam treatment which is not the 5 day high dose treatment? Or something else?

  • Buff1977
    Buff1977 Member Posts: 12 Member
    #4

    I was diagnosed at 61. I am 65 now and have gotten back my erections to the point where it was pre cancer. I had a 31 PSA, 9 gleason and seminal vessel involvement…… I chose Brachytherapy and 25 sessions of external radiation. My Brachytherapy was done with an implant. I had it done at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha. My Radiation oncologist is a Dr by the name of Michael Baine. He is so awesome ! The difference for me was the 3 years of ADT hormone therapy. I think I would have been back in the saddle pretty quick after my treatment without the ADT. Just my thoughts. Good luck

  • Mark3plus4
    Mark3plus4 Member Posts: 5 Member
    #5
    https://csn.cancer.org/discussion/comment/1720433#Comment_1720433

    Thanks for your answer. How did you find managing the other side effects? Is your cancer in remission now?

  • capecodder
    capecodder Member Posts: 8 Member
    #6
    https://csn.cancer.org/discussion/comment/1720432#Comment_1720432

    I have not decided yet as my docs are saying I can wait until May (6 months after biopsy) for another check of PSA, MRI, and possibly another biopsy. Meet with a surgeon next month, then will likely decide best treatment for me.

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