Brachytherapy

Hi Foodie,

Welcome to the site.  I was diagnosed with PC in August 22 and after such research I had Brachy in March 23 under the NHS.  My stats and progress through treatment is listed in my history board.  If you post your stats it might be possible to give you some idea of what to expect if you go for this treatment.

Regards,

SeaJay

Hello SeaJay and Foodie 

It's great to see you both posting and thanks SeaJay for offering to share your journey with us all. 

I do find it strange myself that Brachytherapy looks to be one of the easiest treatments for Prostate Cancer and it's not on offer everywhere. 

I think Foodie you will find that fatigue is lurking around the corner with every treatment. I am on the HT/RT route and it's tried to get me with both the hormones and the radiotherapy. I haven't been too bad and as long as you try to keep fit - it's half the battle.

Best wishes to both on your personal journey.

Brian.

When I asked the consultant (Plymouth Derriford hospital) about Brachytherapy she advised that the nearest hospital that offered this was Exeter & that at the moment it was being used for more advanced cases. 

The long term good news is that they are currently building a new Oncology / Radiology dept at Derriford & I understand will be replacing all the current machines as well as offering Brachytherapy.  Early days yet & will no doubt be some time away before being completed, but will at least mean that more people in Cornwall & Devon will potentially have another treatment option.

Millibob said:

I do find it strange myself that Brachytherapy looks to be one of the easiest treatments for Prostate Cancer and it's not on offer everywhere. 

I think Brachytherapy requires specially adapted operating theatres because of the radioactive seeds that are used. That's probably why it isn't so widely available.

Thanks Seajay for your sharing. It looks like I’m a year behind you in the process for a similar diagnosis. Just waiting for the Brachytherapy referral to go through now.

I notice you had HT therapy first.
I didn’t think it was necessarily needed with Brachytherapy. 

Thanks for getting me to find my stats - posted in my profile. 

Hi Foodie

Tanks for updating your profile and good luck with the Brachytherapy - I hope all goes well for you.

Keep us posted and Best wishes.

Brian.

Hi Foodie,

Having looked at your stats your diagnosis (apart from your age!) is very similar to mine in 2022. 

I would suggest you do as much research as possible in to the Brachy process, so when you meet the Urologist Consultant you can understand the process with some incite into what he/she will be looking for before deciding if you are suitable.

For me the make or break test was the flow test which I had to take twice before my Urologist would say I was suitable.  Make sure you have a very full bladder before you take the test!!! 

As you saw, I was also recommended to start hormone injections shortly after diagnosis to reduce the testosterone which the cancer feeds on.  Perhaps if you can have your treatment fairly quickly yours will have grown. 

I am attaching a few links to sites I found useful:

https://shop.prostatecanceruk.org/pdf/publication/permanent_seed_brachytherapy_ifm.pdf

https://prostatematters.co.uk/treatments-for-in-capsule-diagnoses-t1-t2/prostate-cancer-treatment-brachytherapy/

https://www.royalberkshire.nhs.uk/media/gc2l41tg/brachytherapy-treatment-for-prostate-cancer_jul21.pdf

All the best for your consultation; do keep in touch if you think I can help further.

Chris

SeaJay

Thanks Chris. Gone for prostatectomy, having it done on Tueday.

Hi Foodie,

Ooops!!  Of course that should have read "will NOT have grown"!!!

 "Perhaps if you can have your treatment fairly quickly yours will have grown."

Do hope the articles were of some help.

I have a follow-up consultation with my chap next week - will let you know how it goes.