Hello all. Some of you have generously shared your journey with me. I will be starting mine soon, but before I do, I still have many more questions.
If I understood my doctor correctly, my cancer is "stage 1," localized in the prostate. He said my choices were radiation (Brachytherapy) or surgery (radical prostatectomy).
After researching them to the best of my ability, the brachytherapy is starting to sound better to me. He did not suggest external beam radiation, I am not sure why.
I spoke with my cardiologist today, who is also my regular doctor. He brought up both "focused radiation" (which I guess is external beam radiation) and carbon ion radiation. He said that if it were him, and if it were stage 1, he would choose radiation. If it were stage 2 or 3, he would choose surgery.
As I have mentioned in other posts, I am living in (Tokyo) Japan. It is a challenge for me to find fluent English speaking doctors, but my cardiologist is one. My urologist can speak passable English, but he is the one who is suggesting radiation or surgery.
I am going to assume (which I should not) that those in this support group that have had radiation treatment have had the "external beam radiation" treatment. Is this correct? Or have any among you had brachytherapy? If so, what has your experience been like?
Any responses are greatly appreciated. Thank you.
