Scar tissue growth after radiation

I was urine retentive when first diagnosed last Spring. ADT was beginning to work to open flow again over the Summer then IMRT in the fall shut it down. Undetermined if its scar growth or something else at this point but, I self cath 5-6 times a day. Sounds awful, I know, but it took me about a day to get used to it. Maybe, maybe not, an option for you.

Urology has offered a surgical solution but can't guarantee 100% continence afterward so as long as intermittent catheterization works, I'll stick with it.

There are Two different treatments for slow urinary flow, not sure they can be done after prostate radiation, Need to ask the doctors.

TURP Which is a Roto router of the prostate tissue

PAE's shrink the prostate by putting seeds in the prostate arteries to cut off the blood flow and killing or compromising the tissue. Good for relieving pressure points to free up the flow.

@jeffmarc

Jeff , @oakhilldiver has scar tissue in the urethra - his urine flow is obstructed by radiation caused scar, not by enlarged prostate. Do you know what is solution for that ?

@surftohealth88
The TURP Acts like a Roto router that eliminates any tissue in the way. I don’t think either of those treatments I mentioned is just done on an enlarged prostate, They can also be done on a normal size prostate where Problems start occurring.

@jeffmarc

Oh - that is good to know ! I always learn something new from you - thanks : ))) !

This may not be helpful https://www.mayoclinic.org/medical-professionals/urology/news/innovative-approach-to-surgical-urethral-stricture-management/mac-20573543.

I have the same problem. I had imrt and seeds in 2006. In 2014 my urethra scarred over. The urology surgeon st MSKCC described a repair surgery involving muscle grafts. The location of the scarring at the bladder neck meant that I would be incontinent afterwards. The alternative, which she recommended, was a suprapubic catheter. I have had the catheter since then with no serious problems. You can use a leg bag or just cap the catheter and use your bladder.

Urethroplasty is the surgical technique used most often; but how invasive it is depends on how long the scarring is (measured in mm’s or cm’s).
Sometimes they can just remove the small portion which is scarred and reattach the two healthy ends; if more is involved they may need to graft tissue from other parts of the body which mimic urethral tissue.
You may even have to wear a catheter temporarily as the graft heals, much as we do after RARP.
In any case, the dilations and fulgurations are not getting the job done.
Whoever you use, be SURE that this is their area of expertise, not something they ‘can’ do. Best,
Phil

https://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/fulguration
I looked it up being not familiar with it" electrosurgery/cautery of the problem tissue