Carbon Fidicial Marker, SPACEOAR Surgery & Proton Therapy

I had 39 EBRT treatments with the Spaceore incertion. The insertion was very easy and had no pain at all. The Dr. placed the gold markers in the prostate and then at the same time inserted Spaceore to "distance" the space from the prostate. When they do radiation sometimes the rectum is damaged by the radiation so this gives him a little more room to work. He uses a local anesthesia so you won't feel anything except a little "fullness" for a short while and after you will not even know it's there. The gel will dissolve on it's own in a few months.

Thank you so much for sharing your experience relating to the marker and Spaceore placement. I am a person that has great fear of things like surgeriy... How are you now that your have completed your 39 EBRT? Did you have Proton Beam radiation?

Hi Husker,

Three years ago I was diagnosed with prostrate cancer with a GL of 4+4. I chose Proton beam therapy at Mayo. They inserted the carbon markers but not the SPACEOAR. They inserted into the rectum a balloon filled with liquid before each treatment. It does the same thing as SPACEOAR. The insertion of the carbon markers had some slight pain, but nothing to worry about. If your doctor says this won't hurt, ask him if they've ever had it done to them.
I chose Proton beam therapy because I felt it caused the least amount of damage to surrounding tissue, which was the case. The only issue that you can't avoid is damage of the urethra because it runs through the prostrate. I had 20 doses of radiation and after the 5th I had pain with urination, which is common. They prescribed Flomax, which I still take. I didn't have pain after taking Flomax, but the walls of the urethra have hardened so I will continue taking it to help with urination. I believe the most recent forms of photon radiation is able to reduce tissue damage by bypassing any organs.

Don't know if you will also be taking Antigen Deprivation Therapy as well. I had 18 months of Lupron, which is standard for higher risk cancer. Yours is moderate and it's more optional, but the side effects of ADT do go away with time. Given the benefits, it's worth it

Best of luck to you. Been there. Keep a good attitude.

Hi Husker,

Three years ago I was diagnosed with prostrate cancer with a GL of 4+4. I chose Proton beam therapy at Mayo. They inserted the carbon markers but not the SPACEOAR. They inserted into the rectum a balloon filled with liquid before each treatment. It does the same thing as SPACEOAR. The insertion of the carbon markers had some slight pain, but nothing to worry about. If your doctor says this won't hurt, ask him if they've ever had it done to them.
I chose Proton beam therapy because I felt it caused the least amount of damage to surrounding tissue, which was the case. The only issue that you can't avoid is damage of the urethra because it runs through the prostrate. I had 20 doses of radiation and after the 5th I had pain with urination, which is common. They prescribed Flomax, which I still take. I didn't have pain after taking Flomax, but the walls of the urethra have hardened so I will continue taking it to help with urination. I believe the most recent forms of photon radiation is able to reduce tissue damage by bypassing any organs.

Don't know if you will also be taking Antigen Deprivation Therapy as well. I had 18 months of Lupron, which is standard for higher risk cancer. Yours is moderate and it's more optional, but the side effects of ADT do go away with time. Given the benefits, it's worth it

Best of luck to you. Been there. Keep a good attitude.

I did not have "proton beam", I had "external beam". I am doing fine now 2mo. after finishing and my psa was <0.1 undetectable. I understand side effects may not occur for months or years after. My PC was detected last year and went on AS until Jan./2021 when it progressed to Gl 7,4+3 from Gl 6 3+3. I am also on final 2 months of ADT (Lupron) and I will certainly be glad to get off that. Doing good overall though.
I hope you are good with the decision you make, we are all different and react in different ways to treatments so good luck to you & hope you do well!