Explore every episode of the podcast Prostate Cancer Truths with Dr Ajay Bhatnagar
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LDR vs. HDR Brachytherapy: Which Is Better for Prostate Cancer?
01 oct. 2026
00:11:47
š To learn more about Dr. Ajay Bhatnagar, visit https://prostatecancerusa.com/optin
LDR and HDR brachytherapy both put radiation inside the prostate, but that is where the similarities end. One is a single outpatient implant. The other can mean hours in a radiation facility across multiple sessions. The difference matters more than most patients realize.
In this episode, I'm going to put LDR and HDR side by side so you can see exactly how they differ, where each one has an advantage, and what I would pay attention to before choosing between them.
ā±ļø TIMESTAMPS 0:00 LDR vs. HDR Brachytherapy: Which Is Better for Prostate Cancer? 0:56 What is LDR brachytherapy, the seed implant explained 1:27 What is HDR brachytherapy explained 2:19 Why treatment time and process differ so much 3:39 Does low dose mean less radiation 4:16 Which has better long term outcomes data 5:18 Why HDR became more common at big centers 7:01 Is it safe to be around family after LDR seeds 8:10 Why the doctor's experience matters most in LDR 9:26 My verdict, which one I would choose
ā QUESTIONS ANSWERED
What is the difference between LDR and HDR brachytherapy? LDR permanently implants tiny radioactive seeds that release radiation slowly over weeks in one outpatient procedure. HDR uses temporary catheters to deliver a strong radioactive source in short sessions, then removes everything from the body.
Is HDR brachytherapy safer than LDR because the radiation source comes out? HDR does remove the radioactive source afterward, but LDR seeds release radiation only over millimeters, so patients can safely be around family right away. The main precaution with LDR is limiting close contact with small children and pregnant women for about a month.
Which is better for treating prostate cancer, LDR or HDR? Both are accepted, effective treatments for appropriately selected men, but LDR has decades of long term outcome data while HDR is newer and more common mainly because it fits large radiation programs. For most candidates, Dr. Bhatnagar prefers LDR for its one time simplicity and long track record.
š Subscribe for straight breakdowns of prostate cancer treatment options, what the data actually shows, and what to ask before you make any decision.
ABOUT DR. AJAY BHATNAGAR: Dr. Ajay Bhatnagar is a board-certified radiation oncologist and interventional oncologist with over 20 years of experience and more than 15,000 patients treated. He is the founder of the Prostate Cancer Institute of America and has dedicated the second half of his career to reviving LDR brachytherapy for men with localized prostate cancer across the country. He is the author of Modern Low Dose Rate Brachytherapy for Prostate Cancer: A Comprehensive Guide for Urologists.
What REALLY Happens During an LDR Prostate Seed Implant Procedure?
24 sept. 2026
00:11:20
š To learn more about Dr. Ajay Bhatnagar, visit https://www.prostatecancerusa.com
Most men picture a seed implant as vague and mysterious. It is not. I am going to show you the real ultrasound images, the real computer plan, and the exact moment radioactive seeds are placed inside the prostate. You will see the needles enter through the perineum, watch the mapping happen live on screen, and understand exactly why the placement of each seed matters for your outcome.
In this episode, I'm going to walk you through every step of an actual LDR prostate seed implant procedure, from positioning to planning to seed placement to recovery.
TIMESTAMPS 0:00 What REALLY Happens During an LDR Prostate Seed Implant Procedure? 0:56 How the needles reach the prostate 1:34 Real time ultrasound mapping explained 2:33 How I plan seed placement on the computer 3:34 Placing the needles through the template 4:19 The seeds themselves and how they work 5:16 Watching the actual seed placement 6:10 Why this treatment depends on the doctor 7:33 Recovery, side effects, and going home same day 9:02 In office option and post implant verification
QUESTIONS ANSWERED
What happens during a prostate seed implant procedure? The doctor uses real time ultrasound to guide needles through the perineum into the prostate, then places dozens of tiny radioactive seeds at exact positions determined by a computer plan built from live imaging. The procedure typically takes about 30 minutes, and the plan is adjusted in real time as swelling and positioning shift slightly during the case.
Is a prostate seed implant painful or does it require major recovery? Most patients go home the same day and many return to normal activity within a day or two. Side effects are mainly urinary, such as frequency, urgency, or a slower stream, and these usually peak within the first few weeks and resolve gradually over the following months as the seeds decay.
Can prostate seed implants be done without general anesthesia? Yes, some patients can have the procedure done in office under local anesthesia while awake, and drive themselves home afterward the same day. Other patients prefer general anesthesia in an operating room setting, and both approaches are medically valid and produce the same seed placement accuracy depending on the patient and the treating physician's setup.
š Subscribe for straight breakdowns of prostate cancer treatment options, what the data actually shows, and what to ask before you make any decision.
ABOUT DR. AJAY BHATNAGAR: Dr. Ajay Bhatnagar is a board-certified radiation oncologist and interventional oncologist with over 20 years of experience and more than 15,000 patients treated. He is the founder of the Prostate Cancer Institute of America and has dedicated the second half of his career to reviving LDR brachytherapy for men with localized prostate cancer across the country. He is the author of Modern Low Dose Rate Brachytherapy for Prostate Cancer: A Comprehensive Guide for Urologists.
4 Questions Before Choosing Prostate Cancer Treatment (After 15,000 Cases)
17 sept. 2026
00:08:19
š To learn more about Dr. Ajay Bhatnagar, visit https://www.prostatecancerusa.com
Before I talk treatment with any man, I ask him four questions first. They're not about his cancer. They're about him. What I hear in his answers almost always changes what the right treatment conversation looks like.
In this episode, I'm going to walk you through the four questions I ask every patient before we discuss treatment, why each one matters, and how you can bring them into your own consultation.
ā±ļø TIMESTAMPS 0:00 4 Questions Before Choosing Prostate Cancer Treatment (After 15,000 Cases) 0:42 Question 1, what options has your doctor actually presented 1:36 Why brachytherapy almost never makes the list 2:06 Question 2, what are you most worried about losing 3:23 Why quality of life becomes the deciding factor 3:39 Question 3, did anyone give you real outcome numbers 4:19 The actual cure, impotence and incontinence rates by treatment 5:13 Question 4, what does your daily life actually look like 6:36 How to use these 4 questions at your own appointment
ā QUESTIONS ANSWERED
What questions should I ask before choosing prostate cancer treatment? Ask what treatment options were considered and why brachytherapy was left off the list, ask for cure, impotence and incontinence rates by treatment for your specific Gleason score and age, and ask yourself what you are most afraid of losing and what your daily life actually requires.
Why isn't brachytherapy mentioned by most doctors? Most clinics only recommend the treatments they perform, so a urologist will suggest surgery and a radiation center will suggest external beam radiation. Brachytherapy is often dismissed in a single sentence because the practice you visited simply does not offer it.
Is surgery or brachytherapy better for prostate cancer? For many men with localized prostate cancer, cure rates across treatments are close enough that quality of life becomes the deciding factor. Published data shows LDR brachytherapy carries a much lower rate of permanent impotence than surgery in men over 70, with cure rates above 98% for low and intermediate risk disease.
š Subscribe for straight breakdowns of prostate cancer treatment options, what the data actually shows, and what to ask before you make any decision.
ABOUT DR. AJAY BHATNAGAR: Dr. Ajay Bhatnagar is a board-certified radiation oncologist and interventional oncologist with over 20 years of experience and more than 15,000 patients treated. He is the founder of the Prostate Cancer Institute of America and has dedicated the second half of his career to reviving LDR brachytherapy for men with localized prostate cancer across the country. He is the author of Modern Low Dose Rate Brachytherapy for Prostate Cancer: A Comprehensive Guide for Urologists.
š To learn more about Dr. Ajay Bhatnagar, visit https://prostatecancerusa.com/optin/
The most expensive mistake men make after a prostate cancer diagnosis does not look like a mistake at all. It looks responsible. It looks like exactly what a serious person should do. By the time most men realize what it cost them, treatment is already finished and the side effects are permanent.
In this episode, I'm going to walk through the three most common mistakes men make after a prostate cancer diagnosis, why each one happens, and exactly what to ask your doctor instead.
ā±ļø TIMESTAMPS 0:00 The #1 Prostate Cancer Mistake Men Make 0:55 Mistake 1, committing to treatment too fast 1:42 How long prostate cancer actually takes to grow 2:56 The one question to ask before you agree to anything 3:17 Mistake 2, asking the wrong question in consultation 4:07 The exact numbers you need doctors to give you 5:06 Mistake 3, assuming your doctor mentioned everything 6:19 Why brachytherapy gets left out of most consultations 6:59 Tom's story, told surgery was his only option 8:20 What to watch next for real outcome numbers
ā QUESTIONS ANSWERED
What is the biggest mistake men make after a prostate cancer diagnosis? The biggest mistake is committing to a treatment plan at the first appointment before understanding all available options. Most low and intermediate risk prostate cancers grow slowly enough that men have weeks to months to make an informed decision safely.
Why doesn't my doctor mention brachytherapy as an option? In most cases, it is not because brachytherapy does not apply to your case, but because that specific clinic or doctor does not offer it. Ask directly whether LDR brachytherapy is an option for your case and, if not, what the specific clinical reason is.
What question should I ask before choosing a prostate cancer treatment? Ask for the cure rate, the rate of permanent impotence, and the rate of long term incontinence for every treatment option at your specific risk group. Asking what your doctor recommends often just tells you what that doctor's clinic happens to offer.
š Subscribe for straight breakdowns of prostate cancer treatment options, what the data actually shows, and what to ask before you make any decision.
ABOUT DR. AJAY BHATNAGAR:Ā Dr. Ajay Bhatnagar is a board-certified radiation oncologist and interventional oncologist with over 20 years of experience and more than 15,000 patients treated. He is the founder of the Prostate Cancer Institute of America and has dedicated the second half of his career to reviving LDR brachytherapy for men with localized prostate cancer across the country. He is the author of Modern Low Dose Rate Brachytherapy for Prostate Cancer: A Comprehensive Guide for Urologists.
6 Months vs. 2 Years of Hormone Therapy for Prostate Cancer
03 sept. 2026
00:09:03
š To learn more about Dr. Ajay Bhatnagar, visit https://prostatecancerusa.com/optin/
If your doctor said you need two years of hormone therapy, that number is not as fixed as it sounds. Some men with the same diagnosis do just six months instead, and it is not a compromise. The difference comes down to one protocol choice most men are never offered.
In this episode, I'm going to break down the real cure rate differences between six months and two years of hormone therapy, and explain the protocol choice that determines which one applies to you.
ā±ļø TIMESTAMPS 0:00 6 Months vs. 2 Years of Hormone Therapy for Prostate Cancer 0:41 Who actually needs hormone therapy 1:04 What ADT does to your body 1:52 The real side effects nobody explains 3:06 The protocol most men are never told about 3:44 Triple therapy explained 4:56 92% versus 65% cure rates compared 5:13 Michael's case study 6:32 The exact questions to ask your oncologist 7:50 Prostate size and treatment eligibility
ā QUESTIONS ANSWERED
What is the difference between 6 months and 2 years of hormone therapy for prostate cancer? Six months of ADT is used with triple therapy, which combines external beam radiation and brachytherapy, and shows a 92% cure rate in high risk cases. Two years of ADT is used with external beam radiation alone and shows a lower cure rate of around 65% for the same risk group in comparison data.
Why would a shorter course of hormone therapy work better than a longer one? When brachytherapy is added to external beam radiation, the combined radiation dose is higher and more targeted, so the hormone therapy does not need to carry as much of the workload. This allows for a shorter course while still improving overall outcomes.
Does prostate size affect eligibility for triple therapy? Yes, the seed implant portion generally requires a prostate under 60 grams. If your prostate is larger, hormone therapy can shrink it first, which may still allow you to qualify for the implant afterward.
š Subscribe for straight breakdowns of prostate cancer treatment options, what the data actually shows, and what to ask before you make any decision.
ABOUT DR. AJAY BHATNAGAR: Dr. Ajay Bhatnagar is a board-certified radiation oncologist and interventional oncologist with over 20 years of experience and more than 15,000 patients treated. He is the founder of the Prostate Cancer Institute of America and has dedicated the second half of his career to reviving LDR brachytherapy for men with localized prostate cancer across the country. He is the author of Modern Low Dose Rate Brachytherapy for Prostate Cancer: A Comprehensive Guide for Urologists.
Treat Prostate Cancer Without Losing Your Erections
27 aoƻt 2026
00:06:08
š To learn more about Dr. Ajay Bhatnagar, visit https://www.prostatecancerusa.com
A lot of prostate cancer treatments come with a quiet warning. You might lose your erections. What most men never hear is that your odds depend almost entirely on which treatment you pick. With surgery, more than 65% of men over 70 end up permanently impotent. With another treatment, 76% of men keep their erections. Most men never see these two numbers side by side before they decide.
In this episode, I'm going to break down why erectile function outcomes differ so much between surgery, external beam radiation, and brachytherapy, and give you the exact questions to ask your doctor before you choose.
ā±ļø TIMESTAMPS 0:00 Treat Prostate Cancer Without Losing Your Erections 0:52 Why so many men feel afraid to even ask 1:06 The mechanism behind the 76% success rate 1:44 Why surgery struggles to protect nerves 2:18 How brachytherapy protects erectile function 2:56 Peripheral seed loading and rectal spacer explained 3:26 Ricky's story, keeping his career and his function 4:19 How to ask about erections without it feeling personal 5:01 The three numbers to get before deciding 6:03 What to watch before starting hormone therapy
ā QUESTIONS ANSWERED Q: Which prostate cancer treatment has the best erection preservation rate? A: Brachytherapy shows around 76% of men keeping their erections, compared to surgery, where more than 65% of men over 70 experience permanent impotence.
Q: Why does surgery cause more erectile dysfunction than brachytherapy? A: Surgery requires working directly next to the neurovascular bundles that control erections, while brachytherapy delivers radiation from inside the prostate outward, sparing those nearby structures.
Q: What questions should I ask my doctor about erections before choosing treatment? A: Ask what percentage of men with your specific age, Gleason score, and stage keep their erections with each treatment option based on published data, and request the same comparison for brachytherapy, surgery, and external beam radiation.
š„ Watch Next Before Choosing Your Prostate Cancer Treatment, Watch This https://youtu.be/DoMUrb7eiL8
š Subscribe for straight breakdowns of prostate cancer treatment options, what the data actually shows, and what to ask before you make any decision.
š¬ Has your doctor ever shown you the actual numbers on erectile function for each treatment option, side by side? Tell me in the comments what you were told, or what you wish someone had told you.
ABOUT DR. AJAY BHATNAGAR: Dr. Ajay Bhatnagar is a board-certified radiation oncologist and interventional oncologist with over 20 years of experience and more than 15,000 patients treated. He is the founder of the Prostate Cancer Institute of America and has dedicated the second half of his career to reviving LDR brachytherapy for men with localized prostate cancer across the country. He is the author of Modern Low Dose Rate Brachytherapy for Prostate Cancer: A Comprehensive Guide for Urologists.
Why Your Doctor Never Mentioned This Prostate Treatment
20 aoƻt 2026
00:08:49
š To learn more about Dr. Ajay Bhatnagar, visit https://www.prostatecancerusa.com
Your doctor probably never mentioned brachytherapy. It is not because it does not work. It is because most clinics stopped offering it years ago, and very few doctors were ever trained to perform it in the first place.
In this episode, I'm going to explain the real financial and training reasons brachytherapy disappeared from most cancer centers, what the actual cure rate data shows, and what question you need to ask your doctor to find out if you still qualify.
ā±ļø TIMESTAMPSĀ 0:00 Why Your Doctor Never Mentioned This Prostate Treatment 0:40 How brachytherapy disappeared in the 1990s and 2000sĀ 1:37 Why urologists cannot perform this procedureĀ 2:04 The multi million dollar machines behind the referralĀ 2:39 How financial ties shape your referralĀ 3:41 The excuses doctors give instead of a real answerĀ 4:13 The actual cure rate data for brachytherapyĀ 4:48 Michael's story: high risk cancer and triple therapyĀ 7:18 The one question to ask at your next consultationĀ 7:43 Who actually qualifies for brachytherapy
ā QUESTIONS ANSWEREDĀ
Why do so many doctors never mention brachytherapy for prostate cancer?Ā Many clinics stopped investing in brachytherapy programs because external beam machines cost millions of dollars and generate more ongoing revenue, so doctors trained after that shift were never taught the technique and simply do not offer it as an option.Ā
What cure rate does LDR brachytherapy actually have?Ā LDR brachytherapy carries above a 98 percent cure rate for low and intermediate risk prostate cancer, and it is performed as a 30 minute outpatient procedure with same day discharge, meaning most men are back to normal activity within a day or two.Ā
Can high risk prostate cancer patients still get brachytherapy?Ā Yes, high risk patients can be candidates for triple therapy, which combines external beam radiation, brachytherapy, and six months of hormone therapy, carrying a 92 percent cure rate even in more advanced cases.
š Subscribe for straight breakdowns of prostate cancer treatment options, what the data actually shows, and what to ask before you make any decision.
ABOUT DR. AJAY BHATNAGAR:Ā Dr. Ajay Bhatnagar is a board-certified radiation oncologist and interventional oncologist with over 20 years of experience and more than 15,000 patients treated. He is the founder of the Prostate Cancer Institute of America and has dedicated the second half of his career to reviving LDR brachytherapy for men with localized prostate cancer across the country. He is the author of Modern Low Dose Rate Brachytherapy for Prostate Cancer: A Comprehensive Guide for Urologists.
š To learn more about Dr. Ajay Bhatnagar, visit www.prostatecancerusa.com
The claim sounds impossible. Prostate cancer treated in a single 30 minute outpatient visit with a cure rate above 98 percent. I know how that sounds, but I have been telling patients this for 20 years and it is still true.
In this episode, I'm going to walk you through how LDR brachytherapy treats localized prostate cancer in one outpatient visit, using a real patient case to show exactly who qualifies and why the timeline is so different from surgery or external radiation.
ā±ļø TIMESTAMPSĀ 0:00 This Prostate Cancer Treatment Takes 30 Minutes 0:22 Meet Tom, a business owner facing surgeryĀ 1:33 Why surgery and radiation both looked like losingĀ 2:31 The third option nobody told him aboutĀ 3:04 How the seed implant procedure actually worksĀ 5:53 Why local anesthesia changes everythingĀ 5:59 Who qualifies for brachytherapyĀ 7:16 Real side effects and outcomes explained 8:04 The four words that change the conversation
ā QUESTIONS ANSWEREDĀ
Who qualifies for LDR brachytherapy for prostate cancer?Ā Men with a prostate gland under 60 grams and cancer contained within the prostate typically qualify, which covers most men since average prostate size falls between 30 and 40 grams. If the gland is larger, 3 to 6 months of hormone therapy can shrink it enough to qualify.
How long does prostate brachytherapy treatment take?Ā The seed implant procedure itself takes about 30 to 45 minutes and is done in a single outpatient visit under local anesthesia, with no daily clinic trips afterward. The radioactive seeds continue treating the cancer from inside the prostate for about 60 days before going inert.
What are the side effects of prostate seed implants?Ā Most men experience urinary frequency, some urgency, and mild burning for one to three months, but this does not usually stop them from working. Long term outcomes show about 76 percent of men keep sexual function when a rectal spacer and peripheral seed loading technique are used.
š Subscribe for straight breakdowns of prostate cancer treatment options, what the data actually shows, and what to ask before you make any decision.
ABOUT DR. AJAY BHATNAGAR:Ā Dr. Ajay Bhatnagar is a board-certified radiation oncologist and interventional oncologist with over 20 years of experience and more than 15,000 patients treated. He is the founder of the Prostate Cancer Institute of America and has dedicated the second half of his career to reviving LDR brachytherapy for men with localized prostate cancer across the country. He is the author of Modern Low Dose Rate Brachytherapy for Prostate Cancer: A Comprehensive Guide for Urologists.
Fastest Prostate Cancer Treatment? (Cancer Doctor Explains)
06 aoƻt 2026
00:12:28
š To learn more about Dr. Ajay Bhatnagar, visit www.prostatecancerusa.com
Active surveillance or brachytherapy. If you were just diagnosed with low risk prostate cancer, somebody probably said both words to you and sent you straight to the internet. Here is what the data actually shows, and why one option sounds safer than it is.
In this episode, I'm going to break down the real evidence behind active surveillance versus one time brachytherapy, and show you the exact questions that separate a real surveillance plan from a waiting room with a different name.
ā±ļø TIMESTAMPSĀ 0:00 Fastest Prostate Cancer Treatment? (Cancer Doctor Explains) 0:47 Why active surveillance sounds appealingĀ 2:06 The number your doctor may not tell youĀ 2:35 What a real trigger threshold looks likeĀ 3:37 Stephen's story, low risk to Gleason 8Ā 5:08 How brachytherapy actually worksĀ 6:24 Cure rates and side effects comparedĀ 7:00 Intermediate and high risk, the ADT gapĀ 9:00 Michael and Ricky, two real outcomesĀ 10:57 The two questions to ask your doctor
ā QUESTIONS ANSWEREDĀ
What percentage of men on active surveillance eventually need treatment?Ā About 75 percent of men on active surveillance for prostate cancer eventually require active treatment, meaning surveillance is often a delay rather than a permanent path.Ā
What is a trigger threshold in active surveillance?Ā A trigger threshold is a specific, written PSA number or biopsy finding that tells your doctor exactly when to stop watching and start treatment. If your plan does not have one, it is not a real surveillance plan.Ā
How does brachytherapy compare to surgery for prostate cancer?Ā LDR brachytherapy is a single 30 minute outpatient procedure with a cure rate above 98 percent for low and intermediate risk prostate cancer, compared to about 95 percent for surgery and external beam radiation, with far lower rates of impotence and incontinence.
š Subscribe for straight breakdowns of prostate cancer treatment options, what the data actually shows, and what to ask before you make any decision.
ABOUT DR. AJAY BHATNAGAR:Ā Dr. Ajay Bhatnagar is a board-certified radiation oncologist and interventional oncologist with over 20 years of experience and more than 15,000 patients treated. He is the founder of the Prostate Cancer Institute of America and has dedicated the second half of his career to reviving LDR brachytherapy for men with localized prostate cancer across the country. He is the author of Modern Low Dose Rate Brachytherapy for Prostate Cancer: A Comprehensive Guide for Urologists.
Before You Pick a Prostate Cancer Treatment, Do This
30 juil. 2026
00:09:55
š To learn more about Dr. Ajay Bhatnagar, visit www.prostatecancerusa.com
If you just got a prostate cancer diagnosis and your doctor gave you two options, surgery or radiation, and told you to think it over, stop and watch this first. Most men make this decision using a list that only reflects what one clinic offers, not what actually gives the best outcome. That one blind spot changes lives.
In this episode, I'm going to walk you through the exact four steps I would take if I were diagnosed with prostate cancer tomorrow, in order, with the reasoning behind each one.
ā±ļø TIMESTAMPS 0:00 Before You Pick a Prostate Cancer Treatment, Do This 0:38 The list problem no one talks about 1:38 Step one: don't commit at the first visit 2:11 Why waiting a few weeks is almost always safe 2:57 Step two: get outcome numbers side by side 4:36 What surgery doesn't tell you upfront 5:33 The hidden cost of hormone therapy with radiation 6:00 Step three: find out if you qualify for LDR brachytherapy 9:39 Step four: decide only after the full comparison
ā QUESTIONS ANSWERED What should I do first after a prostate cancer diagnosis? Before agreeing to any treatment, ask for a full comparison of every option, including ones your current doctor's clinic doesn't perform. Low and intermediate risk prostate cancer rarely requires an urgent decision, so taking two or three weeks to gather information does not change your outcome.
What are the risks of prostate cancer surgery versus other options? Robotic prostatectomy in men over 65 carries more than a 65 percent rate of permanent impotence and more than a 25 percent rate of long term incontinence, plus months of recovery. External beam radiation for intermediate risk disease often requires six months of hormone therapy, which brings its own side effects like hot flashes, impotence, and fatigue.
Who qualifies for LDR brachytherapy for prostate cancer? Men with a prostate under 60 grams generally qualify for LDR brachytherapy, a one time outpatient procedure that takes about 30 minutes. Cure rates are above 98 percent, and roughly 76 percent of men keep their sexual function afterward.
š Subscribe for straight breakdowns of prostate cancer treatment options, what the data actually shows, and what to ask before you make any decision.
ABOUT DR. AJAY BHATNAGAR:Ā Dr. Ajay Bhatnagar is a board-certified radiation oncologist and interventional oncologist with over 20 years of experience and more than 15,000 patients treated. He is the founder of the Prostate Cancer Institute of America and has dedicated the second half of his career to reviving LDR brachytherapy for men with localized prostate cancer across the country. He is the author of Modern Low Dose Rate Brachytherapy for Prostate Cancer: A Comprehensive Guide for Urologists.
Before Choosing Your Prostate Cancer Treatment, Listen To This
23 juil. 2026
00:08:12
š To learn more about Dr. Ajay Bhatnagar, visit www.prostatecancerusa.com
Why do some men walk out of a prostate cancer diagnosis knowing every option available to them, while others never hear about the treatment with the highest cure rate? It usually comes down to one thing. The doctor you see first.
In this episode, I'm going to show you why your list of treatment options is really just a list of what your first doctor's office offers, and the one question you can ask to find out if you got the whole picture.
ā±ļø TIMESTAMPSĀ 0:00 Your "Prostate Cancer Decision" Has Nothing to Do with Your Cancer. Here's What It's Actually About. 0:35 Why your doctor's list reflects his office, not every optionĀ 1:32 Why brachytherapy has such high cure ratesĀ 1:56 Surgery side effects most men are not told upfrontĀ 2:11 What external beam radiation and hormone therapy actually involveĀ 2:52 Why clinics stopped offering brachytherapyĀ 3:40 The real questions to ask your doctorĀ 4:29 Real patient stories: Ricky and TomĀ 6:22 The one question to ask at your next appointment
ā QUESTIONS ANSWEREDĀ
Why doesn't my doctor mention every prostate cancer treatment option?Ā Doctors typically only present the treatments their own clinic offers, not every option that exists for your specific cancer. This means a treatment left off your list may simply be a business decision, not a medical one.
What is LDR brachytherapy and how effective is it?Ā LDR brachytherapy, also called the prostate seed implant, has a cure rate above 98% for localized prostate cancer. The procedure takes about 45 minutes, patients go home the same day, and most men keep their sexual function afterward.
How do surgery and radiation side effects compare to brachytherapy?Ā More than 65 out of 100 men who have surgery deal with permanent impotence, and more than 25 out of 100 have long term bladder leakage, with months of recovery. External beam radiation often requires daily visits for up to two months plus six months of hormone therapy, which causes hot flashes, fatigue, weight gain, and muscle loss.
š Subscribe for straight breakdowns of prostate cancer treatment options, what the data actually shows, and what to ask before you make any decision.
ABOUT DR. AJAY BHATNAGAR:Ā Dr. Ajay Bhatnagar is a board certified radiation oncologist and interventional oncologist with over 20 years of experience and more than 15,000 patients treated. He is the founder of the Prostate Cancer Institute of America and has dedicated the second half of his career to reviving LDR brachytherapy for men with localized prostate cancer across the country. He is the author of Modern Low Dose Rate Brachytherapy for Prostate Cancer: A Comprehensive Guide for Urologists.
What Actually Beats Proton Beam for Prostate Cancer
16 juil. 2026
00:08:05
š Learn more about Dr. Ajay Bhatnagar at www.prostatecancerusa.com
Proton beam costs $100,000 and takes two months of daily visits. For prostate cancer, the data shows it gets outcomes no better than a 45 minute procedure most men have never heard of. If you are being told proton beam is the most advanced option, you deserve to see the numbers before you sign off on treatment.
In this episode, I'm going to break down what the research actually shows when proton beam is compared to LDR brachytherapy for localized prostate cancer, and why the more expensive option is not always the better one.
ā±ļø TIMESTAMPSĀ 0:00 Proton Beam Is NOT the Most Advanced Radiation for Prostate Cancer (Here's What Actually Is)Ā 0:29 My 20 years watching men overpay for treatmentĀ 0:30 Why proton beam sounds like the most advanced optionĀ 1:24 Why precision doesn't matter the same way for prostate cancer 2:17 What the studies show when comparing outcomesĀ 3:10 Questions to ask before you decide on treatmentĀ 4:17 What the evidence actually supportsĀ 5:58 How to raise this at Your next appointmentĀ 7:26 The bottom line on proton beam vs brachytherapy
ā QUESTIONS ANSWEREDĀ
Is proton beam therapy better than other radiation for prostate cancer?Ā No. Studies comparing proton beam to standard radiation for prostate cancer consistently show no meaningful difference in cure rates or side effects. The precision advantage that helps in other cancers does not apply to the prostate because it sits deep in the pelvis surrounded by soft tissue that moves and shifts during treatment.
How does LDR brachytherapy compare to proton beam for prostate cancer?Ā LDR brachytherapy uses radioactive seeds placed directly inside the prostate and shows cure rates above 97 percent for low and intermediate risk prostate cancer. It takes about 45 minutes, most men go home the same day, and it costs a fraction of what proton beam therapy costs over a full course of treatment.
Why do so few doctors offer brachytherapy for prostate cancer Brachytherapy became less common in U.S. clinics roughly 15 years ago as other treatments became more widely available and reimbursement models shifted. Fewer doctors are trained to perform it now, so it often does not come up as an option during consultations even though outcomes remain excellent.
š Subscribe for straight breakdowns of prostate cancer treatment options, what the data actually shows, and what to ask before you make any decision.
ABOUT DR. AJAY BHATNAGAR:Ā Dr. Ajay Bhatnagar is a board-certified radiation oncologist and interventional oncologist with over 20 years of experience and more than 15,000 patients treated. He is the founder of the Prostate Cancer Institute of America and has dedicated the second half of his career to reviving LDR brachytherapy for men with localized prostate cancer across the country. He is the author of Modern Low Dose Rate Brachytherapy for Prostate Cancer: A Comprehensive Guide for Urologists.