LDR brachytherapy two years post-treatment

[NYC_talker]

Hi all,

Thought I'd update you at just about the two-year mark post-treatment, having written here about treatment before, during and five weeks after treatment.

Initial diagnosis:

*August, 2021: PSA 5.74. Sept, 2021: Biopsy 3+4=7. MRI: PIRADS 4

*1 lesion of 1 cm on left side of peripheral zone. No ECE, no lymph node or seminal vesicle invasion. Smallish prostate (better suited for LDR).

LDR brachytherapy (radioactive seed implants) January 2, 2022 at MSK CC.

PSA:

May/22: .92

Nov/22: 1.06

May/23: 1.02

Nov 23: .95

May/24: .67

Sept/24: .53

Dec/24: .39

Urinary issues:

None. Luckily had no excessive frequency or retention, not even in the first weeks after treatment. (Both are side effects which usually begin within 2 weeks of LDR and can last a few months). Was only on Flomax for a few weeks post-treatment.

Sleeping through the night most nights for more than a year and a half now.

Bowel issues:

None at all, from the beginning. Everything is like it's always been, since day one after treatment.

Sexual:

No erectile issues at all, since the first days post-treatment. On low-dose Cialis since a week before treatment. Same intense orgasms. Ejaculate is still there, but diminished quite a bit. Ebbs and flows, sometimes more than other times.

Other notes:

Had prostatitis once throughout this process, might have affected the pace of PSA drop--or not.

My testosterone decline a bit after LDR radiation treatment--I was not on ADT--from over 600 ng to 355 six months after treatment, still in normal range (above 300). It hasn't gone up much more than 420, and goes up and down between that and 350.

Urologist had me test free and bioavailable testosterone and both were low, below normal. Said I could go on testosterone therapy if I felt I needed it. But I don't have any symptoms. No fatigue, no sex drive issues. So we'll see, but not for now.

Overall, very happy with treatment, glad to see PSA continue to go down. Am feeling great, working out regularly, traveling. Wishing everyone the best.

[Tall_Allen]

Good news!

[conbio]

Very good. Nice to hear good news.

I'm 20 months out from my Brachy and 24 sessions of EBRT, 8 months from ending of 18 months on ADT. PSA checked quarterly, bouncing at very low 0.1 - 0.3 for past 15 months. Original Gleason - 4+5, limited to gland, 2 lesions.

Testoserone 430+, sex drive good, use Viagra low dose, mostly dry ejaculations.

Very happy with recovery. Strength and stamina awesome. At 68 feel lucky.

Out for some climbing

[GFSHS in reply to conbio]

Happy to hear your good news!

[NYC_talker in reply to GFSHS]

Thank you. As you look at treatments, take a look at my posts on LDR brachytherapy. It's a one-and-done treatment and if you're a candidate ( low or intermediate risk, cancer contained inside capsule, etc.), it may appeal to you.

[NYC_talker in reply to conbio]

Thanks. Good news from you too. Important for people to see the progress of others as they're just beginning.

[CarverD]

Great results!