Re: Need Feedback on Brachytherapy treatment

[Guest guest]

Dave,

Have you been to my YANA

– You Are Not Alone Now at http://www.yananow.net site – there is a

list of men who chose Brachytherapy (about 40 of them) at http://www.yananow.net/Experiences.html#brachy

All the best

Terry Herbert

I have no medical

qualifications but I was diagnosed in ‘96: and have learned a bit since

then.

My sites are at www.yananow.net and www.prostatecancerwatchfulwaiting.co.za

Dr

“Snuffy” Myers : " As a physician, I am painfully aware that most of

the decisions we make with regard to prostate cancer are made with inadequate

data "

From:

ProstateCancerSupport

[mailto:ProstateCancerSupport ] On Behalf Of Munoz

Sent: Monday, 4 January 2010 5:55

AM

To:

ProstateCancerSupport

Subject:

Need Feedback on Brachytherapy treatment

Hello, my name is Dave and I recently joined this group. I need some

feedback from men who have gone through Brachytherapy treatment. I need details

as far as the prep, operation itself and of course the after effects.

I was diagnosed with Prostate Cancer on October 13, 2009 after three

biopsies (due to increasing PSA levels) in the last 18 months.

My most recent PSA was 9.4, my Gleason score 6.0. I am 57 years old and

in generally good health. I am scheduled to receive seed implants on January

7th, 4 days from now. I made this choice over Watchful

waiting in part due to family pressure and also due to during

the last 18 months my PSA rose from 4 to 6 and now 9.

I am not looking forward to this as I have a wonderful sex life and feel

great. I work out, have a good job, a wonderful and supportive wife and feel

this whole process may turn my world upside down and change the way I enjoy

life forever.

I just need frank feedback from anyone who has gone through this. Don't

want sympathy, just details as to what to really expect (outside of what the

doctors have told me) during the next few days, months and year. Thanks!!

Dave M.

[Guest guest]

Terry;

Thanks for your prompt reply. Yes I have tried to join YANA for some time but their website has been under construction for some time now.

I have taken a look at the YANA link you provided and have found good information. I will keep reading the various experiences. This is really helpful.....thanks again.

Dave

To: ProstateCancerSupport Sent: Sun, January 3, 2010 2:14:38 PMSubject: RE: Need Feedback on Brachytherapy treatment

Dave,

Have you been to my YANA – You Are Not Alone Now at http://www.yananow. net site – there is a list of men who chose Brachytherapy (about 40 of them) at http://www.yananow. net/Experiences. html#brachy

All the best

Terry Herbert

I have no medical qualifications but I was diagnosed in ‘96: and have learned a bit since then.

My sites are at www.yananow. net and www.prostatecancerw atchfulwaiting. co.za

Dr “Snuffy†Myers : "As a physician, I am painfully aware that most of the decisions we make with regard to prostate cancer are made with inadequate data"

From: ProstateCancerSuppo rtyahoogroups (DOT) com [mailto:ProstateCan cerSupport@ yahoogroups. com] On Behalf Of MunozSent: Monday, 4 January 2010 5:55 AMTo: ProstateCancerSuppo rtyahoogroups (DOT) comSubject: [ProstateCancerSupp ort] Need Feedback on Brachytherapy treatment

Hello, my name is Dave and I recently joined this group. I need some feedback from men who have gone through Brachytherapy treatment. I need details as far as the prep, operation itself and of course the after effects.

I was diagnosed with Prostate Cancer on October 13, 2009 after three biopsies (due to increasing PSA levels) in the last 18 months.

My most recent PSA was 9.4, my Gleason score 6.0. I am 57 years old and in generally good health. I am scheduled to receive seed implants on January 7th, 4 days from now. I made this choice over Watchful waiting in part due to family pressure and also due to during the last 18 months my PSA rose from 4 to 6 and now 9. I am not looking forward to this as I have a wonderful sex life and feel great. I work out, have a good job, a wonderful and supportive wife and feel this whole process may turn my world upside down and change the way I enjoy life forever.

I just need frank feedback from anyone who has gone through this. Don't want sympathy, just details as to what to really expect (outside of what the doctors have told me) during the next few days, months and year. Thanks!!

Dave M.

[Guest guest]

Dave, the YANA

– You Are Not Alone Now at http://www.yananow.net site is owned and run by me

and I can tell you that it was constructed over 10 years ago and has been

running ever since without any interruption, apart from temporary ones that

occur with any ISPs.

All the best

Terry Herbert

I have no medical

qualifications but I was diagnosed in ‘96: and have learned a bit since then.

My sites are at www.yananow.net and www.prostatecancerwatchfulwaiting.co.za

Dr

“Snuffy” Myers :

" As a physician, I am painfully aware that most of the decisions we make

with regard to prostate cancer are made with inadequate data "

From: ProstateCancerSupport

[mailto:ProstateCancerSupport ] On Behalf Of Munoz

Sent: Monday, 4 January 2010 8:14

AM

To:

ProstateCancerSupport

Subject: Re:

Need Feedback on Brachytherapy treatment

Terry;

Thanks for your prompt reply. Yes I have tried to join YANA for some time but their website has been under

construction for some time now.

I have taken a look at the YANA link

you provided and have found good information. I will keep reading the various

experiences. This is really helpful.....thanks again.

Dave

From: Terry Herbert

<ghenesh_49optusnet.au>

To: ProstateCancerSupport

Sent: Sun, January 3, 2010 2:14:38

PM

Subject: RE:

Need Feedback on Brachytherapy treatment

Dave,

Have you been to my YANA – You Are

Not Alone Now at http://www.yananow. net site – there is a list of men who chose

Brachytherapy (about 40 of them) at http://www.yananow.

net/Experiences. html#brachy

All the best

Terry Herbert

I have no medical

qualifications but I was diagnosed in ‘96: and have learned a bit since then.

My sites are at www.yananow. net and www.prostatecancerw atchfulwaiting. co.za

Dr

“Snuffy” Myers :

" As a physician, I am painfully aware that most of the decisions we make

with regard to prostate cancer are made with inadequate data "

From: ProstateCancerSuppo rtyahoogroups (DOT) com

[mailto:ProstateCan cerSupport@ yahoogroups. com] On Behalf Of Munoz

Sent: Monday, 4 January 2010 5:55

AM

To: ProstateCancerSuppo

rtyahoogroups (DOT) com

Subject: [ProstateCancerSupp ort]

Need Feedback on Brachytherapy treatment

Hello, my name is

Dave and I recently joined this group. I need some feedback from men who have

gone through Brachytherapy treatment. I need details as far as the prep,

operation itself and of course the after effects.

I was diagnosed

with Prostate Cancer on October 13, 2009 after three biopsies (due to

increasing PSA levels) in the last 18 months.

My most recent PSA

was 9.4, my Gleason score 6.0. I am 57 years old and in generally good health.

I am scheduled to receive seed implants on January 7th, 4 days from now. I

made this choice over Watchful waiting in part due to family pressure

and also due to during the last 18 months my PSA rose

from 4 to 6 and now 9. I am not looking forward to this as I

have a wonderful sex life and feel great. I work out, have a good job, a

wonderful and supportive wife and feel this whole process may turn my world

upside down and change the way I enjoy life forever.

I just need frank

feedback from anyone who has gone through this. Don't want sympathy, just

details as to what to really expect (outside of what the doctors have told me)

during the next few days, months and year. Thanks!!

Dave M.

[Guest guest]

If your rising PSA is due primarily due to hyperplasia of the prostate gland, and the biopsy strongly indicates that the specimen indicate a strongly indolent variety of the cancer, then before surgery or brachytherapy, a six month course of the generic equivalent of proscar or the more costly but slightly faster acting Avodart together with a generic alpha blocker (like the generic equivalent of Cardura), may be worthwhile as I have heard of reports that the drug family of Proscar may have cancer suppression properties. Then once the prostate has been shrunk, a repeat biopsy would be done.In my case, I was considering brachytherapy instead of surgery because brachytherapy would have required treatment with an ADT over a three month period with, of course, the dreaded side effects, before

brachytherapy could be done! Also, it has been reported in literature that less enlarged the prostate is at time of surgery, the better the outcome in terms of sexual side effects and urinary incontinence. Since if your prostate may be enlarged sufficiently and shrinkage may be necessary before brachytherapy be done, then if one of the Proscar generics or Avodart is used to effect the necessary shrinkage, but over a longer period, but one of the beneficial side effects is possibly cancer suppression, then there is little to be lost but much to be gained. A followup biopsy would, of course, be done to see if any favorable change in the nature of the cancer has occurred. Problem with brachytherapy and other forms of radiation treatment is though the onset of side effects is not immediate, but if they occur, the likelihood of it being permanent is greater, then with surgery. With surgery, the probability of long-term side effect is there, but is

less likely. The other problem with radiation therapy that if it fails, salvage surgery is much more difficult and favorable outcome somewhat less certain. Because the art of determining whether the cancer is aggressive or indolent is far from perfect, family pressure to have surgery is quite understandable.Louis. . . . To: ProstateCancerSupport Sent: Sun, January 3, 2010 1:54:33 PMSubject:

Need Feedback on Brachytherapy treatment

Hello, my name is Dave and I recently joined this group. I need some feedback from men who have gone through Brachytherapy treatment. I need details as far as the prep, operation itself and of course the after effects.

I was diagnosed with Prostate Cancer on October 13, 2009 after three biopsies (due to increasing PSA levels) in the last 18 months.

My most recent PSA was 9.4, my Gleason score 6.0. I am 57 years old and in generally good health. I am scheduled to receive seed implants on January 7th, 4 days from now. I made this choice over Watchful waiting in part due to family pressure and also due to during the last 18 months my PSA rose from 4 to 6 and now 9. I am not looking forward to this as I have a wonderful sex life and feel great. I work out, have a good job, a wonderful and supportive wife and feel this whole process may turn my world upside down and change the way I enjoy life forever.

I just need frank feedback from anyone who has gone through this. Don't want sympathy, just details as to what to really expect (outside of what the doctors have told me) during the next few days, months and year. Thanks!!

Dave M.

[Guest guest]

On 1/3/10, Louis Carliner wrote, in pertinent part:

(snip)

> In my case, I was considering brachytherapy instead of surgery because

> brachytherapy would have required treatment with an ADT over a three

> month period with, of course, the dreaded side effects....

Different patients experience different SEs and at different levels.

ADT SEs are not to be " dreaded, " especially when ADT is a regimen

that can extend life substantially.

Here is information on the SEs and how to cope with them:

http://www.prostate-cancer.org/education/andind/Guess_TestosteroneSideEffects.ht\

ml

or

http://tinyurl.com/2ymb8f

http://www.prostate-cancer.org/education/sidefx/Strum_ADS.html

or

http://tinyurl.com/g6fzp

Note: There is one SE that all too few medics are aware of: loss

of BMD (bone mineral density), aka osteopenia and osteoporosis.

They can be prevented and/or treated.

An excellent though somewhat dated article on ADT SEs can be

found on the website of Prostate Cancer Specialists at

http://www.prostateoncology.com/

Lastly, there is much to learn on the objective and reliable

website of the Prostate Cancer Research Institute at

http://www.prostate-cancer.org/pcricms/

Regards,

Steve J

" if you want First-Class oats, you go to the head of the horse. "

-- B. Strum, MD

Medical Oncologist

PCa Specialist

[Guest guest]

If, the cancer is deemed to be in the early stages, the probable side effects of ADT for the sole purpose of shrinking the prostate for purposes of facilitating brachytherapy or improving reduced side effect of surgery outcome may be a little much. Even though the Proscar and Avodart family of drugs work more slowly than ADT, the reported benefit of possible early cancer suppression that may be sufficient to obviate further treatment, if confirmed, would be a great benefit in itself! Because resistance to ADT response may developed after a two to three year period, why shoot that wad too early in the game? Wouldn't it be better to save that as a latter stage resort further down the line?Louis. . . .To: ProstateCancerSupport Sent: Sun, January 3, 2010 5:21:27 PMSubject: Re: Need Feedback on Brachytherapy treatment

On 1/3/10, Louis Carliner wrote, in pertinent part:

(snip)

> In my case, I was considering brachytherapy instead of surgery because

> brachytherapy would have required treatment with an ADT over a three

> month period with, of course, the dreaded side effects....

Different patients experience different SEs and at different levels.

ADT SEs are not to be "dreaded," especially when ADT is a regimen

that can extend life substantially.

Here is information on the SEs and how to cope with them:

http://www.prostate-cancer.org/education/andind/Guess_TestosteroneSideEffects.html

or

http://tinyurl. com/2ymb8f

http://www.prostate-cancer.org/education/sidefx/Strum_ADS.html

or

http://tinyurl. com/g6fzp

Note: There is one SE that all too few medics are aware of: loss

of BMD (bone mineral density), aka osteopenia and osteoporosis.

They can be prevented and/or treated.

An excellent though somewhat dated article on ADT SEs can be

found on the website of Prostate Cancer Specialists at

http://www.prostate oncology. com/

Lastly, there is much to learn on the objective and reliable

website of the Prostate Cancer Research Institute at

http://www.prostate-cancer.org/pcricms/

Regards,

Steve J

"if you want First-Class oats, you go to the head of the horse."

-- B. Strum, MD

Medical Oncologist

PCa Specialist