Choices of treatment after diagnosis

Hello Pobl85 

A warm welcome to the online Community although I am so sorry to find you joining us.

Treatment choices are very personal and you need to consider each one as to how the treatment and any potential side/lasting effects would affect you and any partner.

You have a slow growing cancer so time to take a pen and paper, list all the pros and cons of each treatment as to how they would affect you and any partner - use trusted sources for your research, Prostate Cancer UK. Cancer Research UK and Macmillan but not Dr Google!, Feel free to ask any questions here, there's a wealth of lived experience.

Trials are great - as you get cracking support from the team running the trial - but it's a trial so ask questions first.

Best wishes - Brian.

Thanks Brian, had my last consult yesterday. Will be spending the next week or so looking at all the above. 

Hello Pobl85 

Do feel free to ask any questions - some of us have documented our personal journey, you can read that by clicking on our name or avatar, (Mine's not a normal journey so don't go off mine!).

I wish you well - do keep us posted as to how you decide to move forward

Best wishes - Brian.

Hi Pobl85

Some good options there, 

Easiest possibly EBRT or the 3 day one although don't think long term stats for 3 days.

LDR brachy I think done under general anesthetic so that could put me off.

Focal therapy also good , assume includes Hi FU but again not sure on long term stats.

Anyway do your research and remember just my opinion.

All the best 

Steve 

Hi Steve,

Thanks for replying. Yes, the focal therapy includes hi and  fu, but even if I sign up for it, only 50% chance of being selected. 

I had a look at the stats for focal ablation and you are looking at 20% chance of recurring after 5 years - don't like those odds. However, you are very closely monitored for the first 3 years - and it does allow for further treatment if the little bar steward does come back. 

My Brother went through Bracy treatment 16 years ago and is still here! I am leaning towards brachy at the moment.

Best

Phil 

Hi Phil

Yes I have read good things about Bracy,  don't forget there are two different types

Low dose rate and high dose rate although probably only one is offered at your particular centre.

U say focal is only 80% success but EBRT and surgery not a lot more, I think approx just under 90%>

Good luck anyway with whatever u decide 

Steve 

Hello Phil (Pobl85) 

If you are thinking of going down the Brachytherapy route I will "tag" our resident Brachytherapy expert Alpine Wanderer to this post.

He's your man - what he doesn't know about the subject - well isn't worth knowing.

His journey is here:

 Surgery or Radiotherapy? Decision made! 

Best wishes - Brian.

Hi Pobl85 

In case you haven’t already seen them, here are links to the NICE guidelines for Brachytherapy and EBRT. These are based on evidence gathered from patients and cancer professionals in England, Wales and Scotland. Might help with your list of pros and cons?

https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/htg113/resources/high-dose-rate-brachytherapy-in-combination-with-external-beam-radiotherapy-for-localised-prostate-cancer-pdf-305784685

https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/htg81/resources/low-dose-rate-brachytherapy-for-localised-prostate-cancer-pdf-304199677

https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng131/chapter/Recommendations#localised-and-locally-advanced-prostate-cancer

Others may also be available…

I’m certainly no expert but I think I would lean more towards treatment options with documented results over a good period of time (5 and 10 years), rather than those without.