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Considering Tulsa Pro or Proton radiation (full gland)
Prostate Cancer | Last Active: 1 hour ago | Replies (42)Comment receiving replies
@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!
Replies to "@bjroc When I was diagnosed with prostate cancer (in April 2012), my first comments to my..."
@brianjarvis Several studies have shown proton is not superior to proton in terms of outcomes and quality of life. It is not the panacea people make it out to be. Use your favorite search engine.
Also there is some thought that PC is better controlled with fewer higher doses, than more lower doses.
Stay Strong Brother(s) We Got This.
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@brianjarvis Thanks brian, nope have small right lobe, small left lobe, so nobody interested in focal or basically anything with me outside standard photon stuff. Several brachy turned me down, hifu and tulsa as a repeat turned me down, all due to right and left areas albeit they are both small. As mentioned in post above locally offered Varian ETHOS, 5 session 36.25 Gy, barrigel, all that. Just originally in 2023 tried to get into proton, and trying again this last month real hard and again no luck. Locally offered are the Varian ETHOS and Varian Truebeam. Look I had thyroid cancer and radiation twice, maybe why I got prostate cancer because there is iodine uptake in prostate and I had that radioactive iodine twice. So by my luck that 36.25 Gy ETHOS photons will make another cancer for me in ten years. So really wanted something else, just all turned down at this point and down to Varian ETHOS or Varian Truebeam. I tried hard to get Brachy, pubic arch interference stopped that. ADT will be hard, real hard for me with thyroid hormones as the two interfere big time.