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Placed only two fudcial markers in prostate

Posted by jumpingjminy @jumpingjminy, Sep 19 4:31pm

It is my understanding that typically 3 or 4 markers are placed in the prostate. Having at least 3 markers makes sense since the prostate is a three dimensional object. However, following my marker placement procedure today, I learned that my doctor only placed two markers in my prostate. This is in preparation for my upcoming SBRT treatment. What could be a reason for placing one less marker than usual?

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web265 | @web265 | Sep 20 7:10am

I just checked my notes and I only had two markers inserted for my IMRT salvage radiation. My prostate was "Surgically absent" though.

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rick137 | @rick137 | Sep 20 10:59am

I had 4 carbon fiducial markers, two on each side of the prostate. Perhaps the number of markers depends on the number, size and location of the tumors.

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jheadding | @jheadding | Sep 23 8:44am

Here is some general information on fiducial markers. Prior to my SBRT treatments, I had four gold markers placed. The number, location, and type of placement depends upon your specific clinical criteria
And stage of your disease. Hope this helps.

Size: Fiducial markers are usually about the size of a grain of rice.

Material: Fiducial markers can be made of gold or platinum.

Placement: Fiducial markers can be placed intraoperatively, percutaneously, or via an FNA needle.

Benefits: Fiducial markers help ensure that radiation therapy is delivered in the same way each time. They also help doctors target tumors more directly.

Complications: There have been reports of complications from fiducial marker implantation, including migration and inter-fiducial geometric changes.

Prostate: Fiducial markers can be placed in the prostate to mark tumors before radiation therapy. They remain in the prostate after treatment

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Moderator
Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Sep 26 4:45pm

@jumpingjminy, did you find out why only 2 markers were placed? Have you started radiation treatment?

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jumpingjminy | @jumpingjminy | Sep 27 9:51am

Hi Colleen.

Not in radiation treatment yet, I still need to get an MRI and CAT scan for the planning stage which are scheduled for later October. At that time I will have the opportunity to ask my doctor.

I did run across an article in PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19427750/
"Effectiveness of using fewer implanted fiducial markers for prostate target alignment ",
where they conclude that in some circumstances the use of two markers provided the accuracy that rivaled the use of three.

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