[Mpphred]

Had 2 of them done. first one in 2004 and second in 2007. Both irritating but second a little better than the first. Had it removed robotic method and cancer free since 2007.

[sjeffries]

Originally Posted by Robbb

Had one today, probable the most excruciating pain I have ever had. I had no idea it would be like this.

The word PROSTATE (to which you are referring) is a totally different word than the word you typed, spelled PROSTRATE.

PROSTATE is a gland in the body
PROSTRATE means lying face down on the ground

Just thought you’d like to know the difference between these two very similarly spelled words…. having two totally different definitions.

[Pat2015]

Originally Posted by VApeople

I guess not.

As I mentioned in an earlier post, I had my first prostate biopsy done in 2005 and they found cancer cells in my prostate. As far as I can tell, those cancer cells have not spread thru my entire body.

As a cancer survivor why would you wait to see if your cancer cells spread vs getting them attended to years ago? Certainly not a protocol that my Dr would have suggested, as once cancer spreads it’s much more difficult to treat and in many cases the prognosis is not good for metastasizing cancer.

[NJRICHARD]

ASK every prostate doctor what THEIR DOCUMENTED PEER REVIEWED cure rate record is? MOST will tell you they have been doing this for 20+ years (I have been playing golf for 20+ years AND STILL STINK AT IT!) and then they will throw you out of their office! THEY DON'T KEEP cure rate records. RCOG (Radiotherapy Clinics of Georgia) uses seed and radiation combined for a 'cure' rate of over 90%. You might want to check them out. A Painful biopsy is usually done by an inexperienced doctor.

[VApeople]

Originally Posted by Pat2015

As a cancer survivor why would you wait to see if your cancer cells spread vs getting them attended to years ago?

In 2005 my urologist though simply monitoring my prostate cancer development was reasonable.

For nine years, he monitored my PSA. In 2014, he did another biopsy and found more cancer in my prostate, so he recommended I have radiation seeds put into my prostate. I asked if it was OK to wait until golf season was over, and he agreed.

[ithos]

Has anyone tried or been recommended EpiSwitch?

It is reported to be a blood test with 94% accuracy.

According to Oxford BioDynamics, the epigenetic test is designed to be used alongside a standard prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test. The blood-based test works by combining PSA score with 5 epigenetic biomarkers (DAPK1, HSD3B2, SRD5A3, MMP1, and miRNA98). In a recent study of the PSE test,2 the tool was shown to improve the predictive accuracy of a standard PSA test from 55% to 94%.

EpiSwitch Prostate Screening blood test launches on US market
24-02C Robert Heaton Jr MD "EpiSwitch PSE Blood Test" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tFLpIPBXKiQ
Here is some more detailed research that was partly funded by the developer.
Development and Validation of Blood-Based Predictive Biomarkers for Response to PD-1/PD-L1 Checkpoint Inhibitors: Evidence of a Universal Systemic Core of 3D Immunogenetic Profiling across Multiple Oncological Indications - PMC

Curious why more patients have not been apprised of this complementary option.

[tophcfa]

Originally Posted by VApeople

I asked if it was OK to wait until golf season was over, and he agreed.

LOL, I used to try to schedule any needed medical procedures around golfing season, but in the Villages golf season is year round? What a dilemma!

[Bilyclub]

I've had 5 with 3 being in a 6 month period because of a DNA study I got talked into doing. Have a lump that they feel, but did not show up on a couple of MRI's. I liken the sound of the extracter to be like that of an old Arrow staple gun. Not really painful except the feeling like you have to go all the time for 2 or 3 days.

[Jimmy R.]

The worst experience of my life. What really upset me while getting radiation treatments another man told me his was in the Hospital and he was knocked out . I was in Dr's office and wide awake. Wish I had that option offered to me.

[michigan 15]

Originally Posted by Robbb

Had one today, probable the most excruciating pain I have ever had. I had no idea it would be like this.

You should have been anesthetized for the procedure. I didn't' feel any pain when I had the procedure.

[Justputt]

Originally Posted by askcarl

If positive, Proton therapy.

Wouldn't consider protons. Conventional VMAT works perfectly well. When I retired, we were still doing mostly 44 factions, some with 28 fractions, and considering SBRT dropping it to 5 fractions, but the jury is still out on SBRT as far as our doctors were concerned. It boils down to how many fractions can you drop (less fractions = more dose per faction) and still have the same outcome without unacceptable complications. Protons are great for treating things that don't move inter- or intra-fraction, but the prostate does move some even during treatment.

[Brian1958]

A transperineal prostate biopsy is now the only way to go. I had this done in 2022. At the time Hackensack in NJ was the only hospital in the state using this procedure. Much safer, more accurate for sampling and zero pain. Transrectal is old technology at this point.

[Girlcopper]

Originally Posted by LuvNH

My husband had to have one about 10 yrs ago. When he came out of the room he was literally in shock and could hardly walk. The prostrate is not very big and they took 10 chunks out of his. Very primitive.

OMG. Idoubt it was “chunks”. Biopsies are small scrapings.

[BlackHarley]

Originally Posted by Robbb

Had one today, probable the most excruciating pain I have ever had. I had no idea it would be like this.

I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express...

[brewbob]

There are several terms for radiation treatments. Dont be fooled by terns like Photon or Cyberknife. Those are X-RAYS. Protons are NOT x-rays. Xrays enter the body and go thru the body and exit the body. Any organ in the x-ray's path can be damaged. Protons release its energy on target. No damage to any organ outside the target.

Children with brain tumors are always referred for Proton therapy to minimize long term issues when using x-rays. If Proton therapy is good for a child...makes sense it would be good for me too.

Most urologist will recommend whatever treatment they make money with. ie surgery, xray or seeds. All the treatment methods will kill the tumor, but the patient deals with any side effect. Dont want the possibility of wearing diapers the rest of your life? I suggest Proton therapy. These books can help you understand Proton therapy....

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