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Radiation treatment planning
My 64 year old husband was diagnosed with Prostrate Adenocarcinoma with a Gleason Score of 7(3+4). The largest of the tumors measures 1.47 cm in length with 100% tissue involved by tumor.
Last week he had the markers and a rectal spacer (balloon) installed. The doctor doing the procedure told him the placement went perfectly. We were very happy. This week he went for the planning MRI and the report was concerning:
“Spacer is slightly deviated to the right and separates the rectum from the right side of the prostrate by 1.5 cm. There is no spacer between the majority of the left side of the prostrate and rectum”.
We contacted the doctor who will be overseeing the treatment. The advice was, while it is not an ideal situation, the radiation treatments can still be provided. The balloon spacer is not able to be fixed or adjusted.
Has anybody experienced this type situation on their prostrate journey or knowledgeable about this? We were given a list of the possible side effects of radiation to the surrounding areas. Sounds potentially serious and very unpleasant to say the least. We are concerned if we have a red flag here or what?
Input would be greatly appreciated. Much thanks.
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Thank you for the additional comments.
We will be researching the Endo rectal balloon.
As of now we are waiting for the problem to be addressed by the Medical Director, who is the doctor we originally put a call into and the one who did the installation of the BioProtect Spacer. The treating radiologist said she initiated correspondence with that doctor (a renowned leader in radiation oncology having preformed over 500 of these procedures). We are now awaiting a call from him.
My husband said he would rather go though the whole procedure again although wasn’t easy with a local anesthetic and laughing gas.
Read the FDA trials on the BioProtect. During the trials there was not one problem with the positioning of the spacer. With modern technological guidance it is supposedly a straight forward procedure. We are dumbfounded on how the positioning could go so wrong with an experienced doctor who trains others and not a very complex procedure. Thinking maybe the balloon was defective.
When confronted with the facts the treating radiologist acquiesced and admitted to the lack of protection. So important to be an educated patient so your concerns don’t get brushed off. We are thankful to this group for sharing their knowledge and experiences. Will post again as we know more. Hopefully the info will be helpful to an other.
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4 ReactionsFWIW...I had 20 fractions of IMRT last fall. No spacer. Slight mucus discharge for about a week after but that's about it.
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2 Reactions@dougajoi Just to prepare you in the weeks to come: There is NOTHING straight forward about this disease or its treatment😖
You’ll only get frustrated and angry if you expect certain outcomes; just take it day by day and learn to adjust to all the different stink-bombs hurled your way.
All of these problems have occurred before and will occur again. Even planning to AVOID certain issues is no guarantee either! But don’t worry, Everything will work out in the end and your treatment will be successful. Best,
Phil
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2 ReactionsThank you for all the replies.
Here is our update: We spoke to the doctor who did the installation of the spacer. We got a much better understanding of the situation. It seems the position of the spacer looks much better when you look at the actual picture than was described on the MRI. The spacer gives coverage to the apex which is most important. We are feeling much relieved. Thank you to everyone for their comments. The information and sharing of experiences was most helpful.
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