Just joined group.

Hi MWP. As AW says a surgeon would oversee the prostatectomy. A radio oncologist would oversee radiotherapy and Brachytherapy would be dealt with by them. The other thing to consider is that you can have radiotherapy after surgery but you cannot normally have surgery after radiotherapy. Careful consideration should be taken of possible side effects of all treatments and weighed up against your personal priorities as well as the efficacy of the primary treatments e.g. the number of men needing radiotherapy to the prostate area some time after surgery is reported to be around 25%.

You’re not talking nonsense.  You’ve hit the nail on the head. But only if you’re suitable for brachytherapy.  For that decision, you need to be referred or the MDT should be requested to discuss your suitability for brachytherapy.  AW

Yes.  My prostatectomy surgeon was truthful and said (in my case) 30% failure rate.  But I was Gleason 4-3 with some aggressive traits showing in the cell structure, so it all depends on that.  For instance, a Gleason 3-3 found off a PSA of 4 would almost certainly (99.9%) cured - but the patient may have severe urinary side effects for the rest of his life.  My understanding is that when the surgeon removes the prostate, he or she takes the inner sphincter valve too, leaving you just the external sphincter (pelvic floor) to control the bladder.   AW

I have just called Derriford. Brackytheropy does not happen at this hospital…. I’m getting a call on Wednesday to discuss if this procedure may be an option for me or why it may not. Thankyou. Regards, Mat.

Hi MWP,

I was treated at Derriford last year & enquired about Brachytherapy, but like you was told that it's currently not available there.  From memory I think the consultant said that the nearest hospital where it was available was in Exeter.

I understand that when they have finished building the new Oncology facility at Derriford it will be fitted with the latest machines & the plan is to have Brachytherapy available, but I think that is still some time away.

I would so much rather have brackytheropy if the same result but it’s not my call

I see that the hospital are due to call you on Wednesday so you should be able to find out then if it is a possible treatment option.  If so, don't forget to ask about possible timings as there may be a longer wait time given that it would need another referral.  

Best Wishes

Brian

Thanks Brian. If they tell me my condition only warrants a removal I don’t know what I can do enemy if that’s not the case. Could I really be told removal is the only option but in fact that may not be correct?

Sorry, mistakes in my wording but I can’t find an edit option.

If I remember your stats u have options of active surveillance, Radiotherapy or surgery, the choice should Def be yours, 

Steve