Brachytherapy

[middlejoel]

Brachytherapy

Considering permanent seed implants. It's recommended that baby's and pregnant women not be close to the patient to be safe, until the radiation is dissipated. My question is....what about pets like a dog???

[Hidden]

A good dog won’t leave your side . May this treatment cure you from all pc .🙏

[noirhole]

When I had my LU-177 treatment I was considered "hot" for 3 days and it was not recommended that I have our small dogs on my lap. I would ask your Urologist

[Tall_Allen]

The dose decreases with the square of the distance from your prostate. It also decreases over time - Pd 103 more sharply decreases than I131. Maybe keep your pooch off your lap for a month. Or get HDR brachytherapy - nothing is left inside.

[middlejoel in reply to Tall_Allen]

As I understand, choosing HDR has the advantage that its all done the same day and there is no radioactive sees left behind, but it sounds brutal with all those needles. My problem is that I cannot drive anymore due to Macular Degeneration, so I would have to rely on someone to drive me to the hospital every day. If I could, I would probably choose External Beam Radiation, maybe SBRT. Again, as I understand, SBRT is delivered over 4-5 days, is that so? I am meeting the radiologist in a couple of days and plan on asking some questions about the difference between PD 103 and 1131 as mentioned by TA. Also, about the danger to my pooch and for how long.

Thanks you all, for your replies

[Tall_Allen in reply to middlejoel]

Not at all brutal. The area is numbed.

[Concerned-wife in reply to middlejoel]

Do you think you could do Uber? Or, better yet, contact your local council on aging and ask for ideas. We have volunteer drivers in our area and various government groups have transportation. Or contact local religious or civics groups?

[middlejoel in reply to Concerned-wife]

Well, I can always do Uber but if I choose low dose Exterior Beam Radiation, besides the inconvenience, It could be a chunk of cash. I am leaning towards SBRT, 4-5 days and less invasive than Brachytherapy. Following an MRI, I am meeting my cardiologist today to discuss results and hopefully, will decide which way to go. Thangs for your suggestions.

[Concerned-wife in reply to middlejoel]

my husband did 5 days of radiation--with Spacer. It went well. We walked every day after

[motorcycleman]

Any living thing close to your seeds could be affected by the radiation, including your dog. Why not consider HDR Brachytherapy instead? No residual radiation. No seed migration.

[middlejoel in reply to motorcycleman]

I will consider all options including HDR Brachytherapy, later today when I talk to the radiation oncologist. But doesn't Brachytherapy (not seed implantation) also continues to deliver residual radiation for a short time following the procedure?

BTW, are you still riding motorcycles? Son-in-law owns a small shop doing maintenance and repairs on motorcycles.

[motorcycleman in reply to middlejoel]

There's no residual radiation after the HDR procedure. The seeds are inserted and then removed through a catheter.And, yes, I'm still riding my motorcycle and looking to buy a new one soon while I can still balance (ha-ha).

Good luck to you.

[Hidden]

April 2003, with a Gleason 7(4+3), I had 118 Pd 103 seeds implanted by a RO who had done 2000+ implants. The balance of the primary treatment consisted of 25 sessions of IMRT by his AF buddy who is a Professor of RO.

I had micro-metastasis so, I was in the 8% that failed. But I would repeat if I ever had to do so again.

No worries on your dog. At least my Lab had zero problems. It is good to ask this group, however your RO will know the answers. Good luck.

Gourd Dancer

[middlejoel in reply to Hidden]

gourd, I just saw your posting. again was unaware that brachy was around that long. You say that the treatment failed but its been 18 years so, if nothing else, it must have slowed the progression of Pca.

Interesting about you Lab, in your case no problems, nada. Others say 2 weeks and others maybe months. RO said maybe a week or two.

[j-o-h-n]

Let your cat care for your dog...........

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n Saturday 03/27/2021 6:22 PM DST

[bluesnjazz]

Having had brachy 16 years ago, I was also told about being physically close to pregnant women and babies but nothing about pets. I would say it's safer to keep your dog away from your groin area for a few months, if you can, but then it depends on how old your dog is, also, doesn't it? A baby might live for 70-80 more years and suffer some long-term effects from any radiation it might get from you, but with a dog's much shorter life, it probably doesn't matter.

[middlejoel in reply to bluesnjazz]

blues, didn't even know brachy was around then. Did you have the one day and out procedure or seeds? Do you remember what the total dosage was. So I guess for you it was the right decision, did you have any issues like damaging the rectum or bladder? Are you still fighting the beast? I assume so, since you are a member of this forum.

I met the radiologist onco Friday, she was very good and explained the different types of treatment including SBRT. I have to decide by next week when we meet again , still considering the various options but SBRT is looking good.....5 days and no residual radiation after.

Not sure I can be away from my dog for a few months, I was told maybe a couple of weeks? At my age, (84) hanging out with my partner is one of the few remaining pleasures I have left.

[bluesnjazz in reply to middlejoel]

Hi, again. Oh, brachy's been around a long time. I live in Japan and was fortunate that health insurance had just started covering it shortly before I got the treatment. I had the seeds--99 of them--and other than the usual blood in my cum for a couple weeks, no nasty after effects other than having to pee too often. I was able have sex again within a month. Just days after the procedure, I flew back home, then within the next year went through airport security several more times and the scanner detected nothing. The doc told me the radiation would be essentially gone within a year.

Eight years later, I discovered micro-metastasis, which is still a total mystery considering that when the brachy was done, I was stage 1, no detectable tumors in the gland, and cancer cells in only one quarter of it. That was nearly 7 years ago, and I'm still doing off ad on (mostly off) hormone treatments. Last year I had a one-month shot of Lupron in March, a one-month injection of degarelix in October, and as of mid-February, my PSA was down to .89. Still having hot flashes multiple times 24/7.