Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Apr 22, 2020
Hi @cmartin65
As you likely already know, proton beam (charged particle) is the newest type of stereotactic radiotherapy and is available in only a few research centers in the U.S., although the number of centers offering proton beam therapy has increased in the last few years. It can use fractionated stereotactic radiotherapy to treat body tumors over several sessions. Proton beam SBRT may be used to treat tumors that have previously received radiation therapy, or those that are near critical organs.
Hi @cmartin65
As you likely already know, proton beam (charged particle) is the newest type of stereotactic radiotherapy and is available in only a few research centers in the U.S., although the number of centers offering proton beam therapy has increased in the last few years. It can use fractionated stereotactic radiotherapy to treat body tumors over several sessions. Proton beam SBRT may be used to treat tumors that have previously received radiation therapy, or those that are near critical organs.
I personally did not want radiation treatments, so went ahead with prostate surgery on 2/28. I did talk to Mayo about treatments, but did it in my home state of VT which was great to be 6 miles from homes instead of 1000 miles away and all that would entail.........
Hi @cmartin65
As you likely already know, proton beam (charged particle) is the newest type of stereotactic radiotherapy and is available in only a few research centers in the U.S., although the number of centers offering proton beam therapy has increased in the last few years. It can use fractionated stereotactic radiotherapy to treat body tumors over several sessions. Proton beam SBRT may be used to treat tumors that have previously received radiation therapy, or those that are near critical organs.
I had protein beam radiation treatment at the Mayo Clinic in Phoenix January 2019. I had 20 treatments and don't think the 5 treatment option was available to me. I did talk to a man who had 5 treatments at the Rochester Mayo Clinic in 2018. He was part of a trial to see how severe were the side effects. I saw a study report that the side effects were no greater than with the 20 treatments that I had. The person I talked to was pretty satisfied with the 5 treatments. He had to travel several hours each day to get the treatments, so he appreciated only needing 5 treatments.
I had radiation at Sloan Kettering in New York City in 2005 and don't believe it was this new treatment. The 25 radiation treatments ended up weakening a lot of my bladder and colon tissues so now have frequent infections. Anything more focused should minimize side effects and still be effective
(Edited, to add info) To answer the original question, --I am not one that had Proton Beam SBRT. I did go to the Mayo PHX during Sept-Dec 2019. My oncologist first suggested the PB SBRT. but as Colleen stated, it is new enough that it is still only available at a few centers (but, expensive, including even the cost of having built any center for it.), and despite several efforts by some, my insurance would not cover it at the time. So, we went with the IMRT, and hsd 38 sessions. (I am aged 67, as well. My PC was contained within the prostate, and the IMRT had multiple modulations to it, in order to avoid the nearby organs. I also had the SpaceOar put in there, prior to the radiation treatments, to protect the rectum.)
There was also the offer of the 5 visit type, but in researching it, I just felt better about having more sessions, rather thsn fewer. We had a friend's home to rent for a fair price, and so we were able to stay in the area. I had plenty of Sick Leave time w/work, and used FMLA. I was very satisfied with my oncologist there, the entire cancer center workers, and my prognosis.
Many in our family have been patients at both Mayos in Rochester and Phoenix, for a multitude of issues. We love that records can be viewed by all the depts, as needed, even in different locations, and that once you are a patient there, all depts are available to you, and there are not Multiple charges for "new patient fees" every time you have to be seen at a different dept. They ALL work as a Team. We highly recommend the Mayo.
Hi @cmartin65
As you likely already know, proton beam (charged particle) is the newest type of stereotactic radiotherapy and is available in only a few research centers in the U.S., although the number of centers offering proton beam therapy has increased in the last few years. It can use fractionated stereotactic radiotherapy to treat body tumors over several sessions. Proton beam SBRT may be used to treat tumors that have previously received radiation therapy, or those that are near critical organs.
Colleen,
Thanks for your reply! I was offered SBRT/PBT at Mayo for my PCa. It appears that this is a study (new research) with 5 treatments vs 39 treatments. I was wondering about short and long term side effects and cure rates compared to conventional IMRT and SBRT/Cyberknife.
I personally did not want radiation treatments, so went ahead with prostate surgery on 2/28. I did talk to Mayo about treatments, but did it in my home state of VT which was great to be 6 miles from homes instead of 1000 miles away and all that would entail.........
I had protein beam radiation treatment at the Mayo Clinic in Phoenix January 2019. I had 20 treatments and don't think the 5 treatment option was available to me. I did talk to a man who had 5 treatments at the Rochester Mayo Clinic in 2018. He was part of a trial to see how severe were the side effects. I saw a study report that the side effects were no greater than with the 20 treatments that I had. The person I talked to was pretty satisfied with the 5 treatments. He had to travel several hours each day to get the treatments, so he appreciated only needing 5 treatments.
I had radiation at Sloan Kettering in New York City in 2005 and don't believe it was this new treatment. The 25 radiation treatments ended up weakening a lot of my bladder and colon tissues so now have frequent infections. Anything more focused should minimize side effects and still be effective
(Edited, to add info) To answer the original question, --I am not one that had Proton Beam SBRT. I did go to the Mayo PHX during Sept-Dec 2019. My oncologist first suggested the PB SBRT. but as Colleen stated, it is new enough that it is still only available at a few centers (but, expensive, including even the cost of having built any center for it.), and despite several efforts by some, my insurance would not cover it at the time. So, we went with the IMRT, and hsd 38 sessions. (I am aged 67, as well. My PC was contained within the prostate, and the IMRT had multiple modulations to it, in order to avoid the nearby organs. I also had the SpaceOar put in there, prior to the radiation treatments, to protect the rectum.)
There was also the offer of the 5 visit type, but in researching it, I just felt better about having more sessions, rather thsn fewer. We had a friend's home to rent for a fair price, and so we were able to stay in the area. I had plenty of Sick Leave time w/work, and used FMLA. I was very satisfied with my oncologist there, the entire cancer center workers, and my prognosis.
Many in our family have been patients at both Mayos in Rochester and Phoenix, for a multitude of issues. We love that records can be viewed by all the depts, as needed, even in different locations, and that once you are a patient there, all depts are available to you, and there are not Multiple charges for "new patient fees" every time you have to be seen at a different dept. They ALL work as a Team. We highly recommend the Mayo.
Thanks Remoteman for your very informative reply. Like you, I'm somewhat hesitant about the 5 treatments with SBRT PBT, without any studies demonstrating short or long term effects with this newer treatment, not to mention cure rates. IMRT appears to be the standard of care for radiation treatment. I can imagine 5 treatments of protons vs 39 treatments of photons brings the cost to each comparable.
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Hi @cmartin65
As you likely already know, proton beam (charged particle) is the newest type of stereotactic radiotherapy and is available in only a few research centers in the U.S., although the number of centers offering proton beam therapy has increased in the last few years. It can use fractionated stereotactic radiotherapy to treat body tumors over several sessions. Proton beam SBRT may be used to treat tumors that have previously received radiation therapy, or those that are near critical organs.
I'm bringing in @bseibel @dandl48 @remoteman7 @sannira @paul805 @ronan2011 @horace1818 @waynen @403211th @kujhawk1978 @vernonkent @ken82 and @hodagwi into this discussion as I believe they have all received treatment at Mayo Clinic and may or may not have had radiation.
Chuck, what questions do you have about protom beam SBRT? Are you being offered different options? Have you already had radiation?
I personally did not want radiation treatments, so went ahead with prostate surgery on 2/28. I did talk to Mayo about treatments, but did it in my home state of VT which was great to be 6 miles from homes instead of 1000 miles away and all that would entail.........
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Helpful -
Hug
2 ReactionsI had protein beam radiation treatment at the Mayo Clinic in Phoenix January 2019. I had 20 treatments and don't think the 5 treatment option was available to me. I did talk to a man who had 5 treatments at the Rochester Mayo Clinic in 2018. He was part of a trial to see how severe were the side effects. I saw a study report that the side effects were no greater than with the 20 treatments that I had. The person I talked to was pretty satisfied with the 5 treatments. He had to travel several hours each day to get the treatments, so he appreciated only needing 5 treatments.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
2 ReactionsI had radiation at Sloan Kettering in New York City in 2005 and don't believe it was this new treatment. The 25 radiation treatments ended up weakening a lot of my bladder and colon tissues so now have frequent infections. Anything more focused should minimize side effects and still be effective
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
2 Reactions(Edited, to add info) To answer the original question, --I am not one that had Proton Beam SBRT. I did go to the Mayo PHX during Sept-Dec 2019. My oncologist first suggested the PB SBRT. but as Colleen stated, it is new enough that it is still only available at a few centers (but, expensive, including even the cost of having built any center for it.), and despite several efforts by some, my insurance would not cover it at the time. So, we went with the IMRT, and hsd 38 sessions. (I am aged 67, as well. My PC was contained within the prostate, and the IMRT had multiple modulations to it, in order to avoid the nearby organs. I also had the SpaceOar put in there, prior to the radiation treatments, to protect the rectum.)
There was also the offer of the 5 visit type, but in researching it, I just felt better about having more sessions, rather thsn fewer. We had a friend's home to rent for a fair price, and so we were able to stay in the area. I had plenty of Sick Leave time w/work, and used FMLA. I was very satisfied with my oncologist there, the entire cancer center workers, and my prognosis.
Many in our family have been patients at both Mayos in Rochester and Phoenix, for a multitude of issues. We love that records can be viewed by all the depts, as needed, even in different locations, and that once you are a patient there, all depts are available to you, and there are not Multiple charges for "new patient fees" every time you have to be seen at a different dept. They ALL work as a Team. We highly recommend the Mayo.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
2 ReactionsColleen,
Thanks for your reply! I was offered SBRT/PBT at Mayo for my PCa. It appears that this is a study (new research) with 5 treatments vs 39 treatments. I was wondering about short and long term side effects and cure rates compared to conventional IMRT and SBRT/Cyberknife.
Dave, thanks for your reply!
Thanks Waynen for your reply!
Thanks Hodagwi for your reply!
Thanks Remoteman for your very informative reply. Like you, I'm somewhat hesitant about the 5 treatments with SBRT PBT, without any studies demonstrating short or long term effects with this newer treatment, not to mention cure rates. IMRT appears to be the standard of care for radiation treatment. I can imagine 5 treatments of protons vs 39 treatments of photons brings the cost to each comparable.