Prostate cancer treatment choices

A friend had seeds implanted to treat prostrate cancer and now has problems with urgent diarrhea. Anybody have similar or know how to treat it?

Hello @albin,

Welcome to Connect. I moved your message to this existing discussion about prostate cancer; click VIEW & REPLY in the email notice to read through the discussion and meet other members.

Prostate brachytherapy is a form of radiation therapy used to treat prostate cancer, and permanent prostate brachytherapy involves placing radioactive seeds in the prostate gland permanently, where they slowly release radiation. Radiation can irritate the rectum and cause a condition called radiation proctitis. This can lead to diarrhea, sometimes with blood in the stool, and rectal leakage. https://www.cancer.org/cancer/prostate-cancer/treating/radiation-therapy.html

Has your friend been told to follow any special diet to control bowel movement? How is he managing the diarrhea?

He is trying things on his own but has not received anything official

Hi everyone,
A new group dedicated to prostate cancer has just been opened. I have moved this discussion to the new group. See here:

> Prostate Cancer https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/prostate-cancer/

Be sure to +FOLLOW the group and keep connecting.

I was initially diagnosed in 2014 and was offered a treatment paths that proposed surgery or radiation (brach). I did not like either and rsearched other treatment protocols. During this period I changed my diet to an alkaline diet, did a 2 month regime of high dose vitamin C via IV and even did 12 sessions of hyperbaric treatment. Finally I decided on a treatment offered by Dr Sperling - Focal Laser Ablation which held my PC at bay until a recurrence in June 2018 when Dr. Sperling undertook an MRI guided biopsy. Subsequent to the diagnosis which was reconfirmed by John Hopkins, I followed up by taking Metformin and Casodex for a couple months when I did another ablation by Dr Sperling. Subsequent to this ablation Dr. Sperling recommended I go on Lupron and follow up in 6-12 months with radiation. My PSA is point .1 and testo .5, However another thing I tried which I believe was tremendously helpful was Rick Simpson Oil - Phoenix Tears (lots of material on the internet about it). I tried it because a friend of mine's wife who was terminal with lung and brain cancer tried it as a last resort and that was 3 years ago. The RSO protocol calls for a person to take 60 grams of Phoenix Tears over a 90 day period. My most recent 3T MRI has shown my prostate has reduced in size and I am waiting on a consult with Dr Sperling to read my MRI as the Canadian radiologist lacked the experience in reading it with my post ablation treatment. I know it has done something because my Lupron side affects are minimal and I am no longer waking to go to the washroom many times through the night. I usually wake about 6 am or later for that chore. Taking RSO does have side affects it does "buzz" you out quite a bit once you get to the 1 gram per day dose. However, I usually took it in the evening around 8, it would kick in about 10 and I slept "like a stone" for a good 10-12 hours. Anyway this is my experience so far and I am still very reluctant on radiation since risks prevail. I am planning on starting my next go around with RSO next week and if you have any questions feel free to ask.

I orginal did Focal Laser Ablation by Dr. Sperling, I am on hormone therapy now and at first had to get accustomed to the hot flashes and cold sweats which have now eased with life quite normal. Although I am not as strong muscular wise and I do have morning joint pain which dissipates once I get moving. My PSA is now .1 and testo .5, I am due for another Lupron injection in a month. I also followed the Rick Simpson Oil (strain is Phoenix Tears 25% THC) protocol taking 60 grams in 90 days. I recently had a 3T multiparametric MRI which showed my prostate had reduced in size and the cancer has no lymph mets or no bone mets. I am actually feeling real good and I have no need for washroom visits during the night. I attribute my well being to the RSO and I am going to do another regime starting next week. I have a great deal of reluctance related to radiation because I can not get any straight answers on the risks all I am told is that i will have side affects that could be bad but have given me nothing but worst case scenarios which I am not pleased with. Oncologist has recommended 39 radiation treatments over 2 months. I am very hesitant with this protocol.I want to maintain a good quality of life even if that means life is shorter. I have had very positive results with RSO and that is why I am taking RSO (see the internet lots of information related to it). However you won't here that that from the medical profession. I do have first hand knowledge of a person with terminal lung and brain cancer who is now in remission for 3 years who followed the RSO protocol as a last hope. Its all a personal choice however advocate for yourself and get second opinions on everything. We are all different and you know yourself how you feel. I have encountered some very good medical professionals but I also encountered a great deal of arrogance related to my personal choices.

Welcome to Connect, @semeon. I think you might find this journal article of interest.

- The current state and future perspectives of cannabinoids in cancer biology (2018) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5852356/

Treatment decision making is so challenging and defining quality of life is a very personal calculation. You may also find this discussion to be helpful when considering radiation or not:
- Prostate Cancer: What treatments did you choose after surgery? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/prostate-cancer-3/

I have been given the same treatment approach. I am on Lupron and don’t find it too bad. Initially a lot of hot and cold sweats with some joint pain. However joint pain is not severe. I am waiting for a second opinion on different types of radiation, looking at focal laser ablation and will start using Rick Simpson Oil as I believe it has helped me a lot.

Meeting with the surgeon tomorrow for a consultation on robotic surgery. I have already consulted with Dr. Wong in Phoenix regarding proton beam therapy. I have localized prostate cancer, 2 spots 1 and 2 cm watched over the past several years with MRI, 67 yr old, PSA 8.5 and Gleason 7. Can you tell me about your surgery experience and any side effects or complications you experienced? Picking between robotic surgery and proton beam certainly isn't easy.

Hi @fairway5, welcome to Connect. You're so right that choosing between robotic surgery and proton beam isn't easy. There are so many factors to consider such as short-term and long-term potential side effects and quality of life, which are different each person.

I'm tagging a few other members, like @kujhawk1978 @cupman @norske46 @403211th @waynen @hodagwi @donnelson, who can share factors that helped influence their treatment decisions.

You may also be interested in this Video Q&A about Prostate Cancer, where Dr Castle talks about cutting edge advances using robots and proton beam
- https://connect.mayoclinic.org/webinar/on-facebook-live-urologist-erik-castle-m-d-talks-prostate-cancer/

Fairway, what did you learn during your consult about proton beam therapy?