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Welcome new member-Bellatoby- questions about brady, HRT and seeding

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Posted 4/27/2009 12:37 PM (GMT -7)
In Another thread, Bellatoby said:

My husband, age 60 was recently diagnosed with Prostate Cancer, his GLeason score was a 7 (3+4) he has chosen to have the seed implants and then 5 weeks of external radiation, also 3 hormone shots, approximately 2 months apart for the shots. Drs feel it is contained in the prostate and cancer was diagnosed very early, he PSA was 2.3. Anyone out there with similar scores and has had or will have the same treatment? Thank

There's an answer or two on the other thread, but folks can continue the discussion for Bellatoby here, if they wish.
Posted 4/27/2009 12:50 PM (GMT -7)
You don't tell us his biopsy results so it is hard to compare. My brother at 55 had PSA over 8 but perhaps better biopsy. He opted for seeds and now, 5 years later, has undetectable PSAs. He had some ED but Viagra does the trick for him.
Posted 4/27/2009 9:26 PM (GMT -7)

Bellatoby...here is the response I posted on the other thread...

Dear Bellatoby:

First of all, the moderators may re-post your comments as a new thread so that you get attention and advice for your issues specifically.  Having said that, since I recently had the seed implants, I will reply here to see if you pick it up.

Hopefully, before making a final choice on the seeds, your hubby has taken the time to research all of the options available to him.  It's hard to know exactly what his options are without more info from you, e.g. a detailed "signature" with info about prostate size, diagnosed stage of cancer, was it found via a DRE or not, number of cores with cancer, % or cores with cancer, etc  Having said that, from the info you have provided, it is likely that he has multiple options.  I hope you will encourage him to visit with a surgeon, a radiation oncologist and a prostate oncologist if he has not already done so.  I'm guessing he has already spoken with a surgeon and radiation oncologist...  He should also take the time to review some of the other less travelled options like HIFU and TFT (see realziggy's posts) just so you are comfortable with your final decision.

And, should you stick with your brachytherapy choice, you might consider reading my "journey" which is linked in my signature below.  Also, there is another brachy journey on this site, "JustJulie's Brachytherapy Journey", written by a patient's wife.  These will show him what to expect.

In my case, I did not have the external radiation or the hormone shots.  Many radiation oncologists routinely go with the EBRT for Gleason 7 cases, but I'm not sure why he would be having the hormone shots...but, again, I don't have access to his full stats.

I'm sure you will get lots of help on this forum and I would be happy to help specifically on the seed questions as you have them.

Tudpock

Age 62

Gleason 4 +3 = 7

T1C

PSA 4.2

2 of 16 cores cancerous

27cc

Brachytherapy December 9, 2008.  73 Iodine-125 seeds.  Procedure went great, catheter out before I went home, only minor discomfort.  Regular activities resumed, everything continues to function normally as of 5/1/09.

Tudpock's Brachytherapy Journey: https://www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=35&m=1305643

Posted 4/30/2009 7:30 PM (GMT -7)
Dear Bellatoby,

Please see my signature for details of my case. Unfortunately, I had IBS before seed implants and believe that the procedure may have aggravated it causing inflamation in prostate and colon. However, I would probably make the same choice again given what I knew at the time. My cancer was believed to be confined to the prostate and the seeds were the logical choice given my age and medical history.
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