THERE WAS NO RESPONSE TO AN UPDATE REMINDER IN 2014 SO THERE IS NO UPDATE.

My GP became concerned that my blood work revealed a steady upward rise in PSA over 3 years. I arranged to have an exam by a urologist who did a biopsy in addition to the usual DRE. Biopsy result indicated a PSA of 8.6., a Gleason score of 3+4 and a staging of T1C. The Urologist and I discussed the treatments available and his choice was that of surgical removal of the prostate gland.

I made an appointment with a radiation onclogist to seek another opinion. He recommended 5 weeks of external IMRT radiation follwed by Brachytherapy. A major concern he had with surgery was that statistically some of the malignancy may have already escaped the capsule and surgeons can have a difficult time removing all of the affected margins around the spread. He said the accuracy of the placement of the radioactive seeds would take care of any areas missed by the external beam.

I chose the radiation treatment and after 5 long weeks underwent Brachytherapy with 82 seeds implanted. The procedure went well and after a couple of days of soreness (no catheter required after recovery from anesthesia) my urinary fucntion was almost normal My first PSA check after the procedure had dropped below 4 and after 3 months was at 1.7. It has continued to decline and my last test was at .05 nearly 8 years after the treatment.

I have had no incontinence. Sexual function has been affected, but that is as much a factor of age not just the after effects of the radiation. Viagra has been very effective however when needed.

C's e-mail address is: crbch AT tscnet.com (replace "AT" with "@") (but this e-mail address may no longer be valid)

NOTE: C has not updated his story for more than 15 months, so you may not receive any response from him.