I’m new here - just had LDR Brachytherapy. Docs said effects max in 3-4 mos. then taper off. What have others exp. with this treatment ?

[Rocko54]

I’m new here - just had LDR Brachytherapy

[Tall_Allen]

I hope it's smooth sailing. Here's what you can expect:prostatecancer.news/2018/10...

[Rocko54 in reply to Tall_Allen]

Thanks for link. Docs tend to be a bit general, non-commital, and evasive at times. I realize there's a wide range of effects but I'm hoping this is a good resource for shared experiences.

[timotur]

I had HDR Brachy with minimal SE's-- burning urination the first day, and urgency the first two weeks. Since then, no SE's after 18 months after treatment, fingers crossed, because most radiation SE's show up in 2-5 years-- the one to watch for is a stricture developing around the urethra resulting in incontinence.

mskcc.org/clinical-updates/...

[Tall_Allen in reply to timotur]

It is not true that "most radiation SE's show up in 2-5 years." In fact, late-term side effects are:

• very rarely serious

• rarely originally occur after 2 years

• almost never occur if there hasn't been an acute SE first

[timotur in reply to Tall_Allen]

“The incidence of urethral strictures after brachytherapy range from 0 to 10.2 percent within 23 to 63 months of follow-up. (2), (3), (4), (5), (6) Similar rates of urethral stricture are reported in several series of high-dose-rate brachytherapy, with stricture rates of 7 to 8 percent at five-year follow-up. (7), (8)”

[Tall_Allen in reply to timotur]

That is correct too. It does not mean, however, that "most radiation SE's show up in 2-5 years" - do you see the difference?

[timotur in reply to Tall_Allen]

I do see your point TA. The point I’m trying to make for the OP is to watch out for the symptoms of urethral structures around the two year mark as they are the most common SE’s.

BM urethral strictures are the most common late grade 2 or more urinary toxicity following HDR brachytherapy for prostate cancer.

The overall actuarial rate of grade 2 or more BM urethral stricture was estimated at 10.8% (95% CI 7.0-14.9%), with a median time to diagnosis of 22 months (range 10-68 months).

Therefore, most SE’s occur within 2-5 years?

[Tall_Allen in reply to timotur]

No. You missed this part: "the diagnosis is delayed for several years because the worsening of urinary symptoms is a slow and progressive process." It is, in fact, unknown for an SE to suddenly appear 2-5 years post-therapy that has not appeared earlier.

[Ant_Imony]

I found first 6 months no problem- I was off all medication however at 6 months I had difficulty urinating reduced flow rate and needed Tamulosin again. Also I had an immediate bounce in psa peaking at 1.8 - 1 year after operation. My nadir was 0.87 at 3 months. Psa has now thankfully started to decline. From our uk support groups it Seems that younger men (I’m 53) often experience bounce and many men have flow issues. These can subside after 3-4 years.

[UltraRunner54]

I had mine LDR brachytherapy 5 months ago. I'm still having a lot of problems with painful urination unable to empty bladder and urgency. I have known others that only took a month for problems to resolve so I don't think there's any way to really predict. you have to take it as it comes

[Rocko54 in reply to UltraRunner54]

Thanks for your comment. Guess I'm looking for 'typical' when there isn't. Yes, I'm trying to have it-is-what-it-is attitude.