Ldr brachytherapy newbie

User

Posted 21 May 2025 at 16:07

Jaysus

There's a serious investigation needed there Kevin.

I had my scan 4-5 weeks after the procedure, and he was happy , he told me he hadn't had a failure in 15 years.

I hope you're feeling somewhat better.

Bryan

Edited by member 21 May 2025 at 16:09 | Reason: Typo

User

Posted 24 May 2025 at 07:13

Hi Kevin, just caught up with this thread and sorry to hear about the problems you’ve had, wishing all the best for a full and speedy recovery

User

Posted 24 May 2025 at 12:36

I'll report back after my catch up call with the consultant, which is due on Tuesday. I'm definitely looking for answers as to what happened, as I was in a good place with how the treatment appeared to be progressing.

User

Posted 26 May 2025 at 21:44

Consultant phoned me today. Says the abscess is unrelated to the procedure and will not affect it going forward. I still think I need another mri to be sure there are no more stray seeds.

Would not recommend a perianal abscess if you want to be doing anything for the next few weeks.

Onwards and upwards, next psa is July.

User

Posted 26 May 2025 at 21:56

Sounds more encouraging Kevin, good to hear it won't affect the effectiveness of the treatment. 👍

Avoid perineal abscess noted! 😬

User

Posted 15 Jul 2025 at 15:25

First post procedure PSA test 5 months down the line.

4.13, down from 8.4, I'm not overly excited 😞

User

Posted 15 Jul 2025 at 15:58

Hi Bryan, I think the drop in PSA varies greatly from person to person and you normally have to wait 18 months to 2 years before it reaches its lowest level. I was told the fall is usually gradual, also as a younger person you might suffer from the bounce effect which can see the PSA level rise, this is not an indication the treatment has failed or the cancer has returned, so any fall is good I’d say. Take it as a positive

I wonder what others who’ve had this treatment have experienced, perhaps they could share but I expect it will be varied.

I’m due to speak to my consultant on Friday, 4 months post treatment, so will find out how it’s all going.

Take care and all the best for your onward journey.

User

Posted 15 Jul 2025 at 16:07

I think that is a very good result. More than 50% drop is great. It will take 18-24 months to settle down I think.

Definitely one to be positive about.

I'm having my 2nd PSA post procedure next week, then consultant on the 28th, so here's hoping.

User

Posted 15 Jul 2025 at 16:14

Hi.

You don't need to worry about that drop in five months,My PSA dropped very slowly over the first few months but being Brachytherapy that's how it goes.

I had my brachytherapy back in 2016 and if you look at my Avatar it took a long time to drop but nothing to worry about.I am one of the older Brachytherapy members on here and have been very lucky with the journey with 9 years in September with my annual blood test next week.

John.

User

Posted 15 Jul 2025 at 18:41

Thanks John.

I was probably expecting too much , I guess half in 5 months is pretty good.

Bryan

User

Posted 15 Jul 2025 at 19:01

Cheers Kpc

I hope your health is improving after that bad run that you had.

Fingers crossed for your next psa test continues with a downward trend.

Bryan

User

Posted 15 Jul 2025 at 20:02

Thanks John.

Patience will have to be the name of the game so. I'm feeling a good deal more confident following yours and others comments .

Bryan

User

Posted 15 Jul 2025 at 21:19

Hey Bryan,

As others have already said, absolutely nothing to be concerned about in my opinion - a really good start in fact!

This is definitely the hardest part of choosing brachy - you're going to have to be patient for a good while longer yet unfortunately!

In the meantime, you should reassure and remind yourself that if you've had a successful implant (which you have), the treatment itself really doesn't fail very often - in my centre, it's literally less than in a couple of percent of patients - so with that on mind and a decreasing PSA, you've got plenty to be positive about 💪👍

Cheers!

Paul

User

Posted 16 Jul 2025 at 12:12

Thanks Paul.

Probably a bit of impatience on my behalf, expecting too much too quick.

Again after everyone's comforting words on here I've become grateful of my drop.

I'm actually lower than my first PSA test now that I think of it.

Otherwise life is tipping along pretty well

Thanks.

Bryan

User

Posted 16 Jul 2025 at 14:01

It's more usual to have EBRT and this preceded and accompanied by HT. It is the latter that causes a major drop for those patients so the PSA drop is less dramatic for those who do not have HT. Radiation rather than wipe out existing cancer cells immediately, damages their DNA so when they come to divide they are unable to do so and then die. This accounts for the fall in PSA being more gradual. Looks good here.

Barry

User

Posted 16 Jul 2025 at 21:59

Thanks Barry.

Yet another very helpful post, hopefully it will keep dropping as time goes by.

Bryan

User

Posted 21 Jul 2025 at 09:57

Many thanks to everyone on this thread, I wish everyone well. It's made a massive difference to me to be able to read about your journeys.

I'm lucky to have a choice of treatments and I've gone for Brachytherapy.

A brief summary - no symptoms, no family history.

PSA test just after 70th birthday mid-May 2025 showed 12.

MRI, biopsies soon after. Diagnosed early July T2 N0 M0, CPG 3, Gleason 7 (3+4)

No definitive route for treatment from specialists.

Local hospital doesn't offer brachytherapy so I may have to travel but it seems like the treatment that will get me back to my current health as quickly as possible.

Referral made and now waiting.

(Away for 2 weeks on a long organised holiday)

Thanks again.

User

Posted 28 Jul 2025 at 12:41

I've just had my latest PSA back, now 5 months after the procedure. 1.7, down from 3.2 last time. Consultant happy and has put me on 6 monthly follow ups.

I'm more than happy with that and can get on with the rest of my year now after the dodgy start I had.

User

Posted 28 Jul 2025 at 12:59

Hi Kevin, good news and hopefully all the problems you had are behind you now. I’m about 2 months behind you with my treatment and recovery and will give an update on my progress in October after my next PSA test and chat with my consultant. Enjoy the remainder of the summer and all the best for the future.

User

Posted 28 Jul 2025 at 22:37

Great news KPC, good to hear things have started down a much more positive path 👍💪

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