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Starting Proton Treatments for Prostate Cancer: Any experiences?
Prostate Cancer | Last Active: 1 day ago | Replies (170)Comment receiving replies
I am happy for you @gankster and @jc76 . Perhaps, well to do Canadians who won't settle for second best do get proton treatment in the United States, or other countries where the treatment is available. I had SBRT photon in one of the top cancer centers in Canada. I did have some mucus and blood in my stool for a few days post-treatments. Other than that, I haven't experienced the side effects that I have been reading about, experienced by some (many) in this support group who each had their respective "second best" treatment (different between patients). I wish everyone the best, whatever treatment you had.
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@vircet
Did not know you were located in Canada. I think most posters on MCC are in U.S. so we forget this is a world wide group.
The SBRT is still an excellent treatment for prostate cancer. It is what is offered at Mayo Jacksonville. Both photon and proton have equivalent success rates for treating prostate cancer. So you still got great and approved treatment.
The difference is that photon goes in at full dose, treats cancer, and exits as full dose. Proton enters at low dose, releases if full dose a programmed locations, and stops, it does not continue through body.
For some of us that was important. For others I have read they prefer it continuing so it can catch anything missed and othe comments. I just got the lastest study results from UFHPTI and it showing some differences.
The U.S. federal grant to UFHPTI just closed recruitment for it as they now have 2,500 individuals enrolled for long term study or radiation treatments of prostate cancer patients. I am part of that study and go through rigorous on going questionares and in office visit.