@robertov
I think why proton radiation treatments is not mentioned as much as RP and photon as it is fairly new compared to photon radiation and not as many medical centers offer it as very expensive.

I think back in 2006 a Loma Lima (not sure of spelling) and UFHPTI were the only major centers doing proton radiation treatments. The numbers of centers now doing them has really expanded. But again, it is expensive and the gantries and treatment rooms are much more expensive and technical than photon.

Most of the discussions here you will see are those who have had RP and, or not, hormone treatments. The second will be SBRT type photon radiation and or not with hormones. Proton centers are just expensive. Both Rochester and Phoenix Mayo have proton radiation and offer patients that type of treatments. Mayo Jacksonville does not have proton just photon radiation. They are building a new cancer center that will open in 2026.

What does Mayo Jacksonville think of proton radiation. Many of the patients referred to UFHPTI are being referred there from Mayo. I was overwhelmed when I went through treatments as UFHPTI seeing all the children that were there. Proton radiation offers the most precise treatments and does not exit body beyond treatment area that photon does. Eye cancers, brain, and of course trying to reduce the amount of radiation damage in children.

There are so many more centers offering photon than proton. I was told UFHPTI when built in 2006 cost 125 million. They just went throught a complete upgrade of their gantries and equipment for 25 million. It is a huge facility. The five gantries they have take up a lot of room.

I get Mayo Clinic newsletters. What I read recently was research and trials coming up on a new protein therapy that attacks the prostate cancer cells only and leaves normal cells alone. I don't think it has reached trials yet but if it works would drastically changed treatments.

I really thank Mayo Jacksonville for providing me with the best PCP doctor I have ever encountered who would not ignore my rising PSA levels even though still normal number. It was he that asked me to consider going to UFHPTI for proton radiation treatments because he did a lot of medical research there. It is not that photon radiation does not work. The two types basically (per my PCP not me) have same success rate. The difference is that proton goes in body a lower intensity than photon and stops a treament mark. Those in theory the additional damage to surronding organs and tissues is reduced. It also is a very precise beam. I know at UFHPTI they have a physic department that fine tunes every treatment.