Wednesday, September 1, 2010

Prostate Cancer--What treatment did you do and was it successful

Prostate Cancer--What treatment did you do and was it successful?

Men's Health - 3 Answers
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1 :
surgery and I think so.
2 :
I had twenty sessions of EBR (External Beam Radiation) therapy followed by two sessions of Temporary Implant HDR (High Dose Radiation) Brachytherapy (not all hospitals have the necessary specialist equipment to offer this option, though). My treatment also included a three year course of hormone treatment with the testosterone-stopper CASODEX. It is now four years since I was diagnosed and all is well. The brachytherapy was the unpleasant part. 15 catheters were inserted into the affected parts of my prostate gland through the perenium under general anaesthetic and I was peeing, pooing and cumming blood for about a week afterwards! A highly radioactive bead is sent on a wire down each catheter in turn for twenty seconds. The whole thing is repeated 24 hours later when the catheters are first checked to make sure they haven't moved overnight. In my case six had to be repositioned and this was done whilst I was conscious - painful! It wasn't a pleasant experience but it seems to have worked, fingers crossed. The advantage of radiotherapy over having the prostate removed is that I didn't end up having any bowel or urinary problems, which is a high risk with surgery. Also, luckily, now that I am off the Casodex and my testosterone levels have returned to normal, I have resumed sexual activities (without viagra, too!) except my ejaculate volume has decreased to just a few drops, but that doesn't worry me too much. Hope this helps, and good luck.
3 :
I had the DaVinci Laproscopic Surgery. In the hospital three days and then home. Some side effects but six months later still cancer free. If it was me, and you are at the younger end of the spectrum (50-60) I would consider it. I have spoken with three others who had the same at different hospitals and they had similar good experiences.

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