My reading of this is that the biopsies were done for research
purposes rather than as part of patient treatment.

I had a biopsy that diagnosed cancer.  After checking many options
I wound up in a radiation clinical trial at the National Cancer Institute.
They asked permission (which I granted) to do two extra biopsies on
me, one before the first HDR brachytherapy, and one after the last.

The biopsies were done while I was under general anaesthesia
for the brachytherapy procedures, so I didn't feel them.  I was
actually enrolled in four separate clinical trials of which the radiation
was one, the biopsies were one, and two blood test based trials
were the third and fourth requiring that I give them some extra
blood samples.

The purpose of the biopsies was purely for their research.  They
wanted samples of what the tissue looked like before and after
radiation.  They never actually reported what they found to me.
I don't think they were looking to see if my disease was gone.
They had already told me it would take some time after the end
of radiation for all the tumor cells to die.  I think they were studying
the molecular changes in the cells due to the radiation.

   Alan

On November 13,  Bob wrote:

(snip thundering-long URL that might be unusable for some)

Try: http://tinyurl.com/yn7ryl

I had IMRT in late 2004 and no biopsy was done afterwards. Of course, my
experience might be different from anyone else's, but I've never heard
of such a thing being done.

Upon consideration, I wonder what's the point. Radiation damage to the
PCa cells takes a while to become evident, so the question arises: when
to do such biopsies. After six months? A year? More? Less?

I think, subject to correction, that it is logical to use the post-tx
marker that is used after other txs: PSA.

Regards,

Steve J

"What is your full name, Doctor Presume?"
"Dr. Livingstone I. Presume."
--from Choral Cantata "Knock Knock"
by P. D. Q. Bach, the son Papa Bach wouldn't acknowledge.
Greater Hoople Area Philharmonic Orchestra & The OK Chorale

<snip>
In a short word, NO!

However, as I had a post HDRB TURP, a Biopsy was done on the "chips"
removed and all were benign.
As I witnessed the TURP, its no wonder as all tissue removed was Scar
Tissue and totally inert!

There's no point in hypothethising re post Rad Biopsies, unless you
need to rule out something in your mind.

BTW, My PSA is still undetectable 11 months out from last ADT shot. T
is just returning, but no need to panic!

-Please reply to group as my email addr is fake!

-Regards CC