I’m 82 and very healthy. Am I too old for brachytherapy?
Generally, for men of average health, potentially curative treatment is not offered beyond the mid-seventies. However, some older, very healthy men are candidates for treatment because they have aggressive-type cancers and a rising PSA. Since the rigors of implantation are markedly less than surgery, such men would be better treated with brachytherapy than surgery. The alternative of prolonged androgen blockade has significant side effects, so treatment of the local cancer with a local therapy may be better. Successful treatment with brachytherapy in such cases may prevent the need for hormonal therapy altogether.
