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What are the side effects of Proton Therapy for Prostate Cancer?
Proton Beam Therapy | Last Active: Feb 16 7:13am | Replies (17)Comment receiving replies
Proton radiation: Loma Linda Medical 2010. 2.5 months or every weekday in the morning for proton radiation. Low dose with many visits to the "big machine". I played racquetball every noon while I stayed at the March AFB officer quarters the entire time. Low dose with more visits compared to high dose, few visits is more acceptable from the many comments, journals, opinion, etc read over the last 15 years. So, why the high dose and fewer visits? Because it cost less... The key is the radiation oncologist's "opinion" as to the dose of radiation and the time. So, spend time on researching the metrics of that decision...
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@westernflyer Great info and perspective. When I was diagnosed in 2011 I did heavy treatment research. Loma Linda at that time was one of perhaps 3-4 places in USA that did proton. I would have had to relocate from 2000 miles away, but their treatment and support appeared to be second to none. They treated the whole man. I was able to do Active Surveillance for 15 years and let technology improve, so never made it to Loma Linda. I think at this point if still using the same equipment, it would be pretty dated. You did 40-50 sessions then? There is good reason they took so many sessions. Spreading out the Burn, so to speak. I remember talking to one man that was treated there. He said he never felt anything at any time. My 5 session, I felt it badly
I think you are correct on reasons for shorter more intense treatments. Proton treatment is VERY costly, and dropping sessions from 40 to 5 has to lower costs. With Medicare involved I suspect there is great pressure to lower costs.