1. < Prostate Cancer

Radiation treatments: Why choose external beam over brachytherapy?

Posted by stump1 @stump1, May 28 5:21pm

Cancer is isolated in prostate termed aggressive. My question is why would my Doc. choose external beam and not Brachytherapy?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Prostate Cancer Support Group.

robertmizek | @robertmizek | May 28 7:33pm

Welcome to our group. Like many other members here, I’m not a doctor so I can’t give medical advice and can only share what I’ve learned from two bouts of prostate cancer.

Treatment for prostate cancer is not a one size fits all proposition and neither are treatment options. Before I and other members weigh in can you share more details about your diagnosis?

How old are you?
Is this your first time dealing with prostate cancer?
What was your last PSA.
When was your biopsy?
Did they do an MRI? If so what was the PI-RADS score?
What was your Gleason score?
Was any kind of genetic testing done on the biopsy samples? Decipher perhaps?

Sorry to ask so many questions but it all makes a big difference.

REPLY
2 replies
toolbelt | @toolbelt | May 28 7:53pm
In reply to @robertmizek "Welcome to our group. Like many other members here, I’m not a doctor so I can’t..." + (show)
@robertmizek

Welcome to our group. Like many other members here, I’m not a doctor so I can’t give medical advice and can only share what I’ve learned from two bouts of prostate cancer.

Treatment for prostate cancer is not a one size fits all proposition and neither are treatment options. Before I and other members weigh in can you share more details about your diagnosis?

How old are you?
Is this your first time dealing with prostate cancer?
What was your last PSA.
When was your biopsy?
Did they do an MRI? If so what was the PI-RADS score?
What was your Gleason score?
Was any kind of genetic testing done on the biopsy samples? Decipher perhaps?

Sorry to ask so many questions but it all makes a big difference.

Jump to this post

And do you have any urinary problems as Brachytherapy will make them worse.

REPLY
1 reply
bens1 | @bens1 | May 29 6:03am

stump1: bias's exists with doctors in a number of ways. They are dedicated but make mistakes. One bias is their own success with a specific type of treatment and sometimes they do not have the experience with other types of radiation machines. Sometimes the bias is institutionally created and they suggest based on what the hospital has and uses. That's one reason second opinions outside the facility are so important. Was it a urologist who suggested the brachytherapy?

REPLY
1 reply
bluegill | @bluegill | May 29 6:41am

I also had aggressive cancer limited to prostate, and external beam (followed by ADT). I had pretty good luck with the radiation.

REPLY
1 reply
stump1 | @stump1 | May 29 7:05am
In reply to @robertmizek "Welcome to our group. Like many other members here, I’m not a doctor so I can’t..." + (show)
@robertmizek

Welcome to our group. Like many other members here, I’m not a doctor so I can’t give medical advice and can only share what I’ve learned from two bouts of prostate cancer.

Treatment for prostate cancer is not a one size fits all proposition and neither are treatment options. Before I and other members weigh in can you share more details about your diagnosis?

How old are you?
Is this your first time dealing with prostate cancer?
What was your last PSA.
When was your biopsy?
Did they do an MRI? If so what was the PI-RADS score?
What was your Gleason score?
Was any kind of genetic testing done on the biopsy samples? Decipher perhaps?

Sorry to ask so many questions but it all makes a big difference.

Jump to this post

Thanks 4 the response,I’m 68 yes 1st time ,had both MRI and PET SCAN Gleason score 4+4 Last PSA 11 and a fraction.

REPLY
1 reply
stump1 | @stump1 | May 29 7:07am
In reply to @bluegill "I also had aggressive cancer limited to prostate, and external beam (followed by ADT). I had..." + (show)
@bluegill

I also had aggressive cancer limited to prostate, and external beam (followed by ADT). I had pretty good luck with the radiation.

Jump to this post

Thank You and Good Luck.

REPLY
stump1 | @stump1 | May 29 7:10am
In reply to @bens1 "stump1: bias's exists with doctors in a number of ways. They are dedicated but make mistakes...." + (show)
@bens1

stump1: bias's exists with doctors in a number of ways. They are dedicated but make mistakes. One bias is their own success with a specific type of treatment and sometimes they do not have the experience with other types of radiation machines. Sometimes the bias is institutionally created and they suggest based on what the hospital has and uses. That's one reason second opinions outside the facility are so important. Was it a urologist who suggested the brachytherapy?

Jump to this post

No one suggested it.(Brachytherapy)

REPLY
stump1 | @stump1 | May 29 7:12am
In reply to @toolbelt "And do you have any urinary problems as Brachytherapy will make them worse." + (show)
@toolbelt

And do you have any urinary problems as Brachytherapy will make them worse.

Jump to this post

No issues yet. Radiation schd. 2 begin 6/20

REPLY
1 reply
toolbelt | @toolbelt | May 29 7:33am
In reply to @stump1 "No issues yet. Radiation schd. 2 begin 6/20" + (show)
@stump1

No issues yet. Radiation schd. 2 begin 6/20

Jump to this post

Good luck Brother. I am 6 months and 1 day out of SBRT, and took my final Orgovyx tab this morning. Three month PSA was 0.09 down from 7.8 for my 4+3 lesion and my Decipher of .84 .

We got this, Stay Strong Brother.

REPLY
stump1 | @stump1 | May 29 7:38am

Thanks, Got 2 keep on keep’n on.

REPLY
View MoreView Less
Please sign in or register to post a reply.