Questions about radiation for prostate cancer: Can I drive myself?

@marlow2
One question. Did Jim have the Decipher test done? If so he should have that done before making any decisions on treatment and hormone drugs.

I was classified as intermediate based on my biopsies and May oncologist/radiolgist stated radiation and hormone treatments but (thank God) mentioned doing a Decipher test. I had that test and came back low risk not intermediate which does not have a recommendation for hormone treatments just curative radiation (words of my radiologist/oncologist).

So I had 30 rounds of proton radiation at UFPTI as May Jacksonville does not have proton radiation to treat prostrate cancer only photon. UFPTI radiologist/oncologist did not recommend hormone treatment either.

I have heard very sad stories of those takign hormone treatments and some that tolerate them quite well. But for me I did not want them and was glad that the Decipher test showed was not needed.

If you have not been told the hormone treatments are to starve the cancer cells of totosterone and keep from growing. Asked your oncologist/radiologist about the Decipher test. FYI, I had very little side affects from 30 rounds of proton radiation at UFPTI.

We saw the radiologist at Mayo this morning. My husband is set up for a urological surgery to place a spacer between the prostate and rectum. Has anyone had this procedure and how long does it take to recover. He is also set up for a euroflow to check on any urine concerns. He is also set up for another MRI of the prostate before 5 weeks of ProtonBeam Therapy. Because the radilogist that did the biopsy said that it spread to the skeletol structure just outside the prostate, they are recommending 18 months of hormone therapy. Depending on how he handles it, it could be only a year. Jim was hoping not to have any hormone therapy. I know this hormone therapy is very individual, but can anyone talk about their experiences?

I had the SpaceOar gel inserted by Dr. Frendle at Mayo Phoenix when he also put in the fiducial markers. Never even knew the spacer gel was there.

Thanks for your comments. Jim was told he had intermediate cancer. When we worked with the radiologist, they said that some of the skeletol muscle was involved and that’s from calling the pathologist who did the biopsy. Now they are saying that he is high risk which involves 18 months of hormone instead of 6 months which would have been intermediate cancer. So, when you did the decipher was that an injection or what?

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Sent: Friday, February 9, 2024 4:41 PM
To: marlow2@cox.net
Subject: @jc76 mentioned you in comment on Mayo Clinic Connect

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Mayo Clinic Connect

@jc76 mentioned you in comment on Fri, Feb 9.

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@marlow2
One question. Did Jim have the Decipher test done? If so he should have that done before making any decisions on treatment and hormone drugs.

I was classified as intermediate based on my biopsies and May oncologist/radiolgist stated radiation and hormone treatments but (thank God) mentioned doing a Decipher test. I had that test and came back low risk not intermediate which does not have a recommendation for hormone treatments just curative radiation (words of my radiologist/oncologist).

So I had 30 rounds of proton radiation at UFPTI as May Jacksonville does not have proton radiation to treat prostrate cancer only photon. UFPTI radiologist/oncologist did not recommend hormone treatment either.

I have heard very sad stories of those takign hormone treatments and some that tolerate them quite well. But for me I did not want them and was glad that the Decipher test showed was not needed.

If you have not been told the hormone treatments are to starve the cancer cells of totosterone and keep from growing. Asked your oncologist/radiologist about the Decipher test. FYI, I had very little side affects from 30 rounds of proton radiation at UFPTI.

Thank you so much for your encouraging words. Jim seems to be OK with the spacer surgery. What he does not want to do is to have Hormone Therapy. They suggested Eligard however he checked all the hormones that they use and it scares him that they can cause a stroke or a heart attack. Has anyone had the proton beam therapy without hormone therapy?

From: Mayo Clinic Connect
Sent: Friday, February 9, 2024 5:22 AM
To: marlow2@cox.net
Subject: @bens1 posted a new reply to your comment "We saw the radiologist at Mayo this morning. My husband is set up for a urological..."

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Mayo Clinic Connect

Reply by @bens1 to a comment you posted on discussion "Questions about radiation treatment for prostate cancer"

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We saw the radiologist at Mayo this morning. My husband is set up for a urological...

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I had spaceoar inserted a week or so before my radiation. That was in December 2022. If I had to do it again today, I might try BioProtect instead but the spacer makes a difference in protecting healthy tissue. I was knocked out and had a spaceoar technician in the procedure room along with an anesthesiologist and my RO. I did not feel anything afterwards not even the full feeling some have afterwards.

@marlow2
One question. Did Jim have the Decipher test done? If so he should have that done before making any decisions on treatment and hormone drugs.

I was classified as intermediate based on my biopsies and May oncologist/radiolgist stated radiation and hormone treatments but (thank God) mentioned doing a Decipher test. I had that test and came back low risk not intermediate which does not have a recommendation for hormone treatments just curative radiation (words of my radiologist/oncologist).

So I had 30 rounds of proton radiation at UFPTI as May Jacksonville does not have proton radiation to treat prostrate cancer only photon. UFPTI radiologist/oncologist did not recommend hormone treatment either.

I have heard very sad stories of those takign hormone treatments and some that tolerate them quite well. But for me I did not want them and was glad that the Decipher test showed was not needed.

If you have not been told the hormone treatments are to starve the cancer cells of totosterone and keep from growing. Asked your oncologist/radiologist about the Decipher test. FYI, I had very little side affects from 30 rounds of proton radiation at UFPTI.

Had proton therapy two years ago without hormone therapy after diagnosis of (4+3). Had Decipher test and PSMA pet scan before declining such. Last PSA level was 1.1; looks good so far😄.

Dr. Frendle is also Jim's surgeon for the Spacer. He also did his biopsy.

Jim is scheduled for the pacer surgery on 3-14-24. Then on 3-15-24, he will have the CT and MRI scans. As of yesterday, he has decided not to do the 18 months of hormone therapy that was suggested by the doctor in radiology. He thinks that Eligard and all the other hormone injections cause too many side effects. Has anyone had the Proton Beam therapy without Hormone injections & how did they do?