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Considering Tulsa Pro or Proton radiation (full gland)
Prostate Cancer | Last Active: 4 hours ago | Replies (42)Comment receiving replies
I wish brainjarvis was the rad onc I have been talking to. I can't convince any that proton and prostate is a worthwhile combo. They all say something like the new x-ray/photon tech is just as good, or there is no proof proton does anything better in any way, and this is places that have the proton machines so they should care. I don't know how you got in, but I am batting zero on proton, and I am talking places with proton machines. I am tulsa pro recurrence, recurrence still in gland, turned down for repeat since suddenly Dr Scionti thinks sound waves will bounce all over from scar tissue, where-as before he said he could do it as often as needed. Anyway, I don't think rad onc are taught anything about proton, outside maybe it is used in special brain tumors or something. Otherwise they think it worthless just about, and I am doing everything I can to connect to places with proton, just batting zero is all I can say.
Replies to "@brianjarvis I wish brainjarvis was the rad onc I have been talking to. I can't convince..."
@bjroc When I was diagnosed with prostate cancer (in April 2012), my first comments to my urologist were, “I don’t know anything about prostate cancer so, I’ve got a zillion questions to ask before you cut anything out of me, or bombard me with radiation, or inject toxic chemicals into me……” From that point on, it was about self-advocacy and shared decision-making.
As for convincing others about proton and prostate cancer —> I’m not sure why proton radiation works so much better than photon radiation with other types of cancer treatments, and wonder if the laws of quantum physics change for prostate cancer???? Or does patient compliance play a role in the outcome?
Yes, there are some specific photon (x-ray) technologies, that by simulating what’s inherent in proton radiation, control the beams and get similar results. Have you asked if they have those specific photon machines?
I’m not familiar with TulsaPro and am not sure what the salvage treatment options are post-TulsaPro (and not sure if proton is appropriate). If it’s only a single lesion being treated, I’d look at other options that are targetable and controllable - like focal therapy (e.g., cryo), brachytherapy, or SBRT (all with many months of ADT).
Good luck!
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@bjroc
Sorry about your experience. Having to go through this twice is tough. Yes Brian J has been a great help to me. We are fortunate to live near the University of Cincinnati with the Varian proton machine. Perhaps try them if you have not already.
Curious what your # of and Gleason biopsy scores and if you had decipher testing. ?