Thanks Vernonkent for your reply. Were you offered the 5 treatment SBRT PBT? Did you say you had some minor side effects? I glad to hear Medicare covered the treatment, hopefully my tricare will cover the rest!
@cmartin65 No, for me, a 5 treatment regimen was not discussed. Side effects from the proton beam treat were not really noticeable. The side effects I noticed were the expected ones from Lupron. I think I experienced all of those. 😊
I didnt realize that the sessions of treatment varied between patients. I thought that the number was standardized. I was offered 5 sessions, maybe because of my favorable
immediate risk. First impressions of my Dr and Mayo were outstanding.
Yes, it does greatly depend on each patient, for sure, rather thsn a standardized plan. In layman's terms, it's sort of explained better in that the same amount of radiation is basically used in a 5-session time, as it would be within a way longer #-session time, such as my 38 sessions-----it is just that, basically, the intensity is increased during a shorter timeframe of sessions. And, for me, I just chose to go with a longer timeframe, instead.
Yes, it does greatly depend on each patient, for sure, rather thsn a standardized plan. In layman's terms, it's sort of explained better in that the same amount of radiation is basically used in a 5-session time, as it would be within a way longer #-session time, such as my 38 sessions-----it is just that, basically, the intensity is increased during a shorter timeframe of sessions. And, for me, I just chose to go with a longer timeframe, instead.
Yes, I think you are right. My doses were probably stronger than yours and I had some urinary problems. Quite a bit of pain after my fifth dosage that was controlled with Aleve and Flomax. I'm still on the Flomax. I had the fewest doses of anyone I met. Not everyone had the Lupron shots. I think it depends on how advanced the cancer. I was told that the Lupron would increase my chances of SURVIVAL by 20 percent. Still it's at 80 percent. The key is whether or not it travels to other parts of the body. If it does, it becomes much harder to treat. That's why they keep checking your PSA. The cancer is caused by mutations of genes in your DNA. They can test to see where the problem exists, and for some gene mutations there are alternate treatments just like for breast cancer. They looked at my DNA afterwards to see if it could be Inherited. Fortunately, it wasn't. I wasn't aware of this option before treatment.
Yes, I think you are right. My doses were probably stronger than yours and I had some urinary problems. Quite a bit of pain after my fifth dosage that was controlled with Aleve and Flomax. I'm still on the Flomax. I had the fewest doses of anyone I met. Not everyone had the Lupron shots. I think it depends on how advanced the cancer. I was told that the Lupron would increase my chances of SURVIVAL by 20 percent. Still it's at 80 percent. The key is whether or not it travels to other parts of the body. If it does, it becomes much harder to treat. That's why they keep checking your PSA. The cancer is caused by mutations of genes in your DNA. They can test to see where the problem exists, and for some gene mutations there are alternate treatments just like for breast cancer. They looked at my DNA afterwards to see if it could be Inherited. Fortunately, it wasn't. I wasn't aware of this option before treatment.
That was one thing about my sessions...I never had any pain. I, too, had a Lupron shot before the sessions. That cuts down on the testosterone production so that the cancer has a lesser chance of growing. It was for 6 months, although it's side effects can last up to a year or so. Time will tell as to whether they will prescribe another shot. I had more hot flashes with it in the beginning, but it has slowed to just a few each day now....that was first given in early October 2019.
The SpaceOar makes a huge difference, too, in the rectum area of potential problems. That was offered to me when we were first looking at Proton treatment----but, not when it had to change course to Photon instead, due to my insurance not yet covering Proton treatments. However, having learned all that I had about the SpaceOar, I definitely wanted that and requested it. My oncologist was fine with that, and my insurance did cover that part.
That was one thing about my sessions...I never had any pain. I, too, had a Lupron shot before the sessions. That cuts down on the testosterone production so that the cancer has a lesser chance of growing. It was for 6 months, although it's side effects can last up to a year or so. Time will tell as to whether they will prescribe another shot. I had more hot flashes with it in the beginning, but it has slowed to just a few each day now....that was first given in early October 2019.
The SpaceOar makes a huge difference, too, in the rectum area of potential problems. That was offered to me when we were first looking at Proton treatment----but, not when it had to change course to Photon instead, due to my insurance not yet covering Proton treatments. However, having learned all that I had about the SpaceOar, I definitely wanted that and requested it. My oncologist was fine with that, and my insurance did cover that part.
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.
March 2016, 39 IMRT - Rapid Arc, 70.2 Gya. SRT to the prostate bed
July 2017 - 25 IMRT, 45 Gya, PLNs
No SE at this point.
Most nights I get up once, sometimes none to urinate.
No incontinence or problems urinating.
My radiologist here in Kansas City just says "Kevin, never had anyone quite like you..." I continued to drink alcohol, coffee...and exercise while going though the two rounds of radiation.
If (ok, when) my PCa returns we will image using C11 Choline, Aximun or the PMSA and then make e decision about treatment depending on what the imaging shows, PSADT and PSAV. There are many more "radiation" options than just a few years ago.
Wonderful news! I hope to learn the same thing soon post-treatment. May I ask you how many days after your last radiation treatment did you have your blood drawn to determine your PSA level? Also, were you on hormone deprivation therapy (ADT) prior to and/or after your treatment? Thanks for your response.
Wonderful news! I hope to learn the same thing soon post-treatment. May I ask you how many days after your last radiation treatment did you have your blood drawn to determine your PSA level? Also, were you on hormone deprivation therapy (ADT) prior to and/or after your treatment? Thanks for your response.
I am scheduled to have a blood draw 6 months after completion of radiation treatment. Treatment ended April 3rd. Had ADT treatment for 2 months prior, during treatment, (20 sessions), and for 28 days after treatment. Best of luck to you!
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@cmartin65 No, for me, a 5 treatment regimen was not discussed. Side effects from the proton beam treat were not really noticeable. The side effects I noticed were the expected ones from Lupron. I think I experienced all of those. 😊
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Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionYes, it does greatly depend on each patient, for sure, rather thsn a standardized plan. In layman's terms, it's sort of explained better in that the same amount of radiation is basically used in a 5-session time, as it would be within a way longer #-session time, such as my 38 sessions-----it is just that, basically, the intensity is increased during a shorter timeframe of sessions. And, for me, I just chose to go with a longer timeframe, instead.
Yes, I think you are right. My doses were probably stronger than yours and I had some urinary problems. Quite a bit of pain after my fifth dosage that was controlled with Aleve and Flomax. I'm still on the Flomax. I had the fewest doses of anyone I met. Not everyone had the Lupron shots. I think it depends on how advanced the cancer. I was told that the Lupron would increase my chances of SURVIVAL by 20 percent. Still it's at 80 percent. The key is whether or not it travels to other parts of the body. If it does, it becomes much harder to treat. That's why they keep checking your PSA. The cancer is caused by mutations of genes in your DNA. They can test to see where the problem exists, and for some gene mutations there are alternate treatments just like for breast cancer. They looked at my DNA afterwards to see if it could be Inherited. Fortunately, it wasn't. I wasn't aware of this option before treatment.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionThat was one thing about my sessions...I never had any pain. I, too, had a Lupron shot before the sessions. That cuts down on the testosterone production so that the cancer has a lesser chance of growing. It was for 6 months, although it's side effects can last up to a year or so. Time will tell as to whether they will prescribe another shot. I had more hot flashes with it in the beginning, but it has slowed to just a few each day now....that was first given in early October 2019.
The SpaceOar makes a huge difference, too, in the rectum area of potential problems. That was offered to me when we were first looking at Proton treatment----but, not when it had to change course to Photon instead, due to my insurance not yet covering Proton treatments. However, having learned all that I had about the SpaceOar, I definitely wanted that and requested it. My oncologist was fine with that, and my insurance did cover that part.
I have have two separate radiation treatments.
March 2016, 39 IMRT - Rapid Arc, 70.2 Gya. SRT to the prostate bed
July 2017 - 25 IMRT, 45 Gya, PLNs
No SE at this point.
Most nights I get up once, sometimes none to urinate.
No incontinence or problems urinating.
My radiologist here in Kansas City just says "Kevin, never had anyone quite like you..." I continued to drink alcohol, coffee...and exercise while going though the two rounds of radiation.
If (ok, when) my PCa returns we will image using C11 Choline, Aximun or the PMSA and then make e decision about treatment depending on what the imaging shows, PSADT and PSAV. There are many more "radiation" options than just a few years ago.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionYES, Finished my Proton treatment JAN 21, Mayo
Rochester. SEE MY RECENT POST.
MWSPRO
Here is the link to the new discussion created by @mwspro - Follow up after proton beam treatment: GREAT PSA NUMBER:
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/great-psa-number/
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1 ReactionWonderful news! I hope to learn the same thing soon post-treatment. May I ask you how many days after your last radiation treatment did you have your blood drawn to determine your PSA level? Also, were you on hormone deprivation therapy (ADT) prior to and/or after your treatment? Thanks for your response.
I am scheduled to have a blood draw 6 months after completion of radiation treatment. Treatment ended April 3rd. Had ADT treatment for 2 months prior, during treatment, (20 sessions), and for 28 days after treatment. Best of luck to you!