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← Return to Ulcerative Proctitis 18 months after Proton Beam Therapy?
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Ulcerative Proctitis 18 months after Proton Beam Therapy?
Proton Beam Therapy | Last Active: Apr 28 2:35pm | Replies (8)Comment receiving replies
@rmp321 When I was researching this topic (back in 2020-2021 prior to my treatments), comparisons between endorectal balloons and SpaceOAR Hydrogel (and probably similar results later with Barrigel and BioProtect rectal spacers as well), found that since the balloons were inserted into the rectum (instead of between the rectum and the prostate), that it left the anterior wall of the rectum fully exposed to radiation, and as a result there were higher rates of rectal injury.
They gave me the choice of 20 fractions @ 3.0 grays/fraction (60 grays total), 28 fractions @ 2.5 grays/fraction (70 grays total), or 30 fractions @ 2.0 grays/fraction (60 grays total). I used the mid-range number of fractions but the higher number of total grays. I didn’t want to undertreat it; at the same time I wanted to minimize the per-fraction dose (sort of the Goldilocks Principle).
I didn’t experience any adverse side-effects using the SpaceOAR Vue product.
Have they suggested for you to use hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) to heal the radiation-damaged tissues causing the bleeding? I’ve read that it can be effective.
Did you have ulcerative colitis going into treatments? Dr. Rossi talks about this in his portion of this 2023 Mid-Year PCRI presentation: https://www.youtube.com/live/WTqPnSRYtW4
—> Starting at about 4:48:15.
He talks about HBOT prior to that (at about 4:46:00).
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Thanks, @brianjarvis, for your reply and the additional information you provided. I wasn’t given an option of the number of grays administered during my PC treatments, but did feel that Dr. Rush used his good judgment to do what was called for. And for the record, my doctor clarified just yesterday that I DO NOT have ulcerative colitis, but am experiencing proctitis as a result of the Proton Beam Therapy. The information accompanying her prescribed medication indicated it is used to treat ulcerative colitis, so I erroneously concluded that was my situation. You can imagine how “happy” I was to discover I only have proctitis, a much easier malady to cure! And yes, I was told of the hyperbaric oxygen therapy and that it may be an alternate, and more effective treatment if the suppositories don’t stop the bleeding. Thanks again for your reply. Wishing you the best in regards to your health!