Proton radiation 2010 at Loma Linda Hospital, Loma Linda, California; PSA: 6.47. Diagnosis: Slow growth prostate cancer localized. Two and half months weekdays (2.5 months) or 50 proton treatments lasting just minutes or less.
Summary: Proton radiation therapy at least at Loma Linda which was one of the first to use this technology back in 1994 was initially for children with brain cancer. Targeted radiation with proton results in no damage to the outlying tissue. The hospital has treated prostate cancer and has treated thousands of patients.
Issues: Has the cancer spread to the entire prostate or is it localized? Has this question been validated by PET scan an MRI or both? I was told that the 50 treatments with low-dose radiation cause no damage to the prostate. Low-dose radiation for a longer period of time logically seems the best option. But, I see comments of others who have undertaken proton radiation with only 2o or 25 proton treatments. Perhaps the technology or other things have changed. It is all about access to the technology and the cost. My 2.5 months with 50 treatments cost $3300 per day per treatment. Not counting housing, travel, etc. So, affordability is a large metric in this decision.
Question: What was the impact to daily life during treatment? I played racquetball most afternoons at the base gym. I stayed at March Air Force base quarters the entire time. RH/Florida