What's the difference between proton vs traditional radiation?

Posted by upnort @upnort, Feb 12, 2022

What is the difference between proton radiarion and "traditional" radiation, and is proton therapy sutable for all prostate cancer patients?

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"suitable" instead of "sutable" -

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I call proton the gnats a— of radiation. Reduces opportunities for uncomfortable side effects

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Traditional radiation is more damaging to peripheral tissue as it cannot target it's dosage as well as a Proton Beam. The Proton Beam is capable of releasing it's energy, and thus it's cell killing capability, to a very small area. Ideally just the tumor itself. But it's not perfect and there will be collateral damage to some surrounding tissue but not nearly as much as "traditional" radiation. Therefore Proton Beam Therapy is much less damaging to your precious body. There should be no question as which to use. Would you prefer the old "shotgun" approach or a more precision targeted approach?

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So why isn’t this approach being offered everywhere, my husband was just scheduled for 28 days of radiation?

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@auntieoakley

So why isn’t this approach being offered everywhere, my husband was just scheduled for 28 days of radiation?

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1) it's expensive 2) have to have enough room for the huge equipment 3) not all locations are acceptable

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@dpcarriere

1) it's expensive 2) have to have enough room for the huge equipment 3) not all locations are acceptable

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Chris, what type of radiation, Proton Beam or conventional?

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When I had SBRT with the Proton beam I was given the choice of the 5 treatments over the course of 10 days of the 28 treatments Mon -Fri. With the 5 treatments I was given the same total radiation as given in 28 treatments. At that time the 5 day treatment only had favorable results for 5 years and they were the same as the 28 treatments. Recently I haven't seen people on here talk about the 5 over 10 days treatment so I question if they have found out that past 5 years the results aren't as good as the 28 day treatment. Will be seeing my Mayo oncologist the beginning of April and I will for sure ask him about it.

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@dpcarriere

Chris, what type of radiation, Proton Beam or conventional?

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Due to the number of treatments, I would say conventional. It is my understanding that proton beam is less treatments. They do that at the the facility where he will be treated and conserving the bones of the hip is a high priority because he has multiple myeloma as well. This might be a question I need to ask his oncology team. Why not proton beam?
Thank you for having this frank conversation. How are you after having your radiation treatments? Any major issues with radiation?

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I'm having the usual, predictable issues of fatigue, pain, hot flushes.

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@auntieoakley

Due to the number of treatments, I would say conventional. It is my understanding that proton beam is less treatments. They do that at the the facility where he will be treated and conserving the bones of the hip is a high priority because he has multiple myeloma as well. This might be a question I need to ask his oncology team. Why not proton beam?
Thank you for having this frank conversation. How are you after having your radiation treatments? Any major issues with radiation?

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It's my understanding that Proton Beam Therapy does less peripheral damage.

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