Freehand vs. Template HDR Brachytherapy

[WaterRat14]

I am scheduled for HDR brachytherapy at UC Davis on May 16, one and a half months after starting goserelin. Alternatively, I could go to UCSF and receive HDR brachytherapy at the end of June. UCSF places the needles freehand while UC Davis uses a tailored template to place them. Does anyone have thoughts on the two alternative approaches for the procedure? Also, any thoughts on waiting another month and a half to receive the therapy at UCSF. I understand both practitioners have extensive experience doing their respective procedures

[Tall_Allen]

Additional placement and dwell time in areas of concern identified in mp MRI. Maybe consult with Andrei Iagaru at Stanford about F18 PSMA1007 or rhPSMA7.3 for intraprostatic detection because there is reduced urinary excretion.

[WaterRat14 in reply to Tall_Allen]

Thank you for your quick reply. I’m needing a little interpretation however. To what are you referring WRT additional placement and dwell time? Are you suggesting one of these two procedures pertains to your comment? Also, I need help with your reference to F18 PSMA1007 or rhPSMA7. Are those compounds useful in needle placement? Thanks for any added thoughts. I’m on a steep learning curve.

[Tall_Allen in reply to WaterRat14]

What I am saying is that your concern about catheter placement, template or freehand, is not a consequential question if both practitioners are equally experienced . They use CBCT or US image guidance in either case. I'm suggesting considerations that are much more important to discuss with your doctors.

[WaterRat14 in reply to Tall_Allen]

Thank you for the clarification. I’ll pursue those considerations.

[tsim]

I can just say anecdotally that I had the template aided positioning and it went very well. These are all imaging guided procedures though, so the skill of the practitioner is far more important.

[WaterRat14]

Thanks. My understanding as well. Now doing research on Tall_Allen’s comments.

[j-o-h-n]

Question: Is the freehand the same hand he uses for DREs?

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n Saturday 04/30/2022 1:50 PM DST

[WaterRat14 in reply to j-o-h-n]

That’s the one . 😜

[j-o-h-n]

Simultaneously?

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n Sunday 05/01/2022 1:48 PM DST