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What do you think comes next for me?

Prostate Cancer | Last Active: 18 minutes ago | Replies (22)

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A lot of good advice from all of you. Thanks so much!

I am a former lung cancer patient, so this isn't my first cancer rodeo. After listening to various doctors I picked the treatment I wanted. My lung cancer has been in remission for over nine years, but I have to say navigating the prostate cancer landscape is far more difficult and much more confusing than anything I experienced with my lung cancer.
Might I ask: has anyone reading this conversation tried IMRT for their prostate?

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Replies to "A lot of good advice from all of you. Thanks so much! I am a former..."

@kevinm4 What is your age?

@kevinm4 You’re right about lung cancer vs prostate: we have way too many choices with way too many variations, so choosing the BEST treatment can be daunting!
At your age 72, IMRT is an excellent treatment if needed. Yes, it’s much longer than 5 SBRT (cyberknife, etc) sessions, but it is generally gentler on your insides most of the time.
Of course, I am allowing for exceptions at both ends of the spectrum, but IMRT (EBRT, etc) delivers the same amount of radiation as SBRT but over a 5-7 week span; so it’s less of a shock each time you get treated.
I had salvage therapy using IMRT -25 sessions as opposed to traditional 39. Studies showed increased SE’s short term but they were equal to the traditional method at 6 months; so, in effect, no difference.
You are G3+3 right now so AS is what you want; but if you become G3+4, treatment would probably be necessary and if you have the time IMRT is no big deal.
Phil

@kevinm4 - 20 sessions of IMRT Oct 2025. Hardest part was the full bladder, empty bowel requirement. You want to practice this a week or 2 beforehand if you choose this route. The only side effect I maintain now is that when my insides signal I need a bowel movement, I need it now. There is very little lag time between the signal and the action. Luckily, I have this down to immediately following morning coffee so there is no disruption during the day. During treatment I needed to stay away from spicy, greasy or it would not be a good day.