Brachytherapy

Hello Delboy73 

There are plenty of Community Members who have had Brachytherapy and I will tag Alpine Wanderer who is our resident "expert".

You can find his journey here  Surgery or Radiotherapy? Decision made! . You can also click on his name or avatar for the shortened version.

Best wishes - Brian.

Hi, i had brachytherapy as a mono treatment 19 weeks ago, the flow test is to check you will have enough flow after treatment as it does tend to reduce, see my bio 

Hi Bluecloud1 - I’ve just re-read and got the latest update from your bio: invaluable for anyone considering brachytherapy as a mono therapy (without HT too!  You must be pleased with the results so far and you still have all the tools in the toolbox should you see cancer reoccurrence ).  I had brachytherapy boost (with HT) as you probably know: this was because my cancer was locally advanced.  I had a PSA of 2.6 aged 58 and this wasn’t followed up for 8 years!  In hindsight, this should have been looked at more closely - but at the time I remember seeing PSA of 0 to 4.5 being within limits so thought no more about it.  The medical profession should have spotted that 2.6 was a bit high (even though in limits) for a 58 year old and ordered another PSA test maybe at age 60. When I was checked for PSA - 8 years later - quite by chance whilst seeing a newly qualified doc on another minor matter - it was 11.  A month later it was 13 and the sh*t hit the fan. Anyway, I had 8 years of blissful ignorance (and a great sex life) so maybe I’m grateful for that.  So if Delboy73 is looking for Brachy boost he needs to look at my bio.  If he’s caught it much earlier, he should study your bio.   AW

I was awarded a HDR Brachytherapy Boost before my Radiotherapy and feel it was the best possible thing to get, I never had any flow test? Hope it goes well for you best wishes David (you can see a bit more on my profile)

Hi. I had permanent seeds put in and no flow test. First follow up appointment tomorrow. Just more urgent toilet visits up to now, 

Hi, would you please do a bio, so people can see how you made your choice and how the treatment is going.. Have a look at mine to give you an idea.  By doing this we can help more people understand their choices..   

Don't no much about this treatment but why is it not offered to everyone??

I did do one weeks ago. If you can't see it not sure why. It is brief. I don't visit that often but have just added another paragraph. Not much to report yet. Cheers.

Hi, I think it’s because it’s quite difficult to do as opposed to other radiotherapy treatments as it requires a highly trained person to insert the seeds..  There not many places with such people as I understand it.  There is a booklet about it, and it is offered at Christie’s 

Funnily i saw a radiotherapy oncologist and a surgeon. The oncologist only talked about SBRT (5 visits for external beam radiotherapy) but included a brachy booklet with the literature. I made enquiries and they said yes without another discussion session. I think it may have less people who specialise. In USA I think the external beam treatments may pay the hospitals more but don't take anything I say as gospel!