Does the Prostate fully recover after radiation?

[egbok]

I just finished HDR Brachytherapy. I'm unable to find internet answer to my question.

Does the Prostate continue to be partially functional after HDR Brachytherapy?

Does it become fully functional over time? how long does that take generally?

Has anyone seen any before and after pictures of Prostate after radiation?

For all questions assume the radiation was not focal.

The general question is, what happens to the functionality of the prostate after radiation, and does it recover?

Thank you

[treedown]

My RO called it scar tissue.

[egbok in reply to treedown]

Thank you.

[timotur]

Three years ago I had HDR-BT for advanced stage t3b, and I can verify there is no functional prostate left. For one, when the RO did a DRE a year ago, I could feel his digit touching my urethra instead of what used to be the prostate, and for another reason, when I ejaculate there is only sperm, no semen. There might be a few prostate cells left, but it's function as a gland is gone and will never come back.

[egbok in reply to timotur]

Thank you Timotur

[egbok in reply to timotur]

Thank you Timotur.

[RonnyBaby]

You can refer to 'it' as a BLOB - post treatment - that's the desired outcome of radiation treatment - knock it OUT of the park - no longer in the game - reduced in size and marginalized ......

[egbok in reply to RonnyBaby]

Thank you RB

[CarverD]

I had HDR-BT a little over two years ago. As time goes by the gland "sloughs off" according to my RO (at least that is how he describes it). It hasn't worked since being radiated. Couple of drops of ejaculate at best. I waved goodbye and never looked back

[egbok in reply to CarverD]

Thank you Carver

[Jamesjohn63]

Mine did. no issues. Better than removing it for sure.

[egbok in reply to Jamesjohn63]

Thank you James

[Jimhoy]

Toasted as far as I know! Equal to removal they say but I have nothing to compare to! Don’t know if it was RT or ADT that caused SEVERE ED but penile rehab has gotten me back to a good chubby stage (from an iney) with satisfaction with no a no mess finish... couple drops of ????? Not strong enough for penetration but just use your imagination!

Play the cards you’re dealt....

Jc

[egbok in reply to Jimhoy]

Thanks Jim

[cancerfox]

Not sure about HDBRACHY, but after IMRT and LDBRACHY I'm pretty sure my prostate looks like this. Completely nonfunctional. 🦊

Wrecked!

[egbok in reply to cancerfox]

Thank you

[NYC_talker]

I'm coming very late to this. But after seeing all the replies I thought I should weigh in with what appears to be an alternative assessment, from my urologist. Perhaps it's the treatment I had, LDR brachytherapy.

When I went for my check up at little over a year after treatment, he did a DRE and said you have a "normal-sized prostate" and all feels good. At the time (this past January) and still, I continued to have more than a few drops of semen when I orgasm. Depending on how long it's been between times, I would say what's coming out ranges from a quarter to half or more of what it used to be. But it is clear and thinner, not white.

Anyway, as I discussed this with my urologist, and why there is any PSA at all even if it dropped dramatically, he said you still continue to have a functioning prostate even if it is not anywhere near capacity. I don't know if he meant me specifically, or generally. But I thought I would add that to this thread.

[egbok]

Thanks for your input.