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Starting Proton Treatments for Prostate Cancer: Any experiences?

Prostate Cancer | Last Active: May 4 7:05am | Replies (138)
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@jb2buckwater

PSA 10.5 diagnosed with Gleason 3+3 mid-September. Read Wash's book, Surviving Prostate Cancer. All currently available treatment options are described in detail including possible side ffects both short-term and long-term. Proton beam or active surveillance made the most sense to me and chose proton beam. Now at Mayo Rochester and had my first two visits are in the rear-view-mirror. Day 1 blood test, enema, very brief meeting with Dr and Assistant, marker placement (4 carbon markers are injected into Prostate, sounds bad but if you handled biopsy without major league pain you will likely feel less pain with marker placement). Day 2 was much shorter and even easier than Day 1, Started with Enema, CT simulation scan and tattoo dots (CT is a piece of cake and then 3 small dots are tattooed to abdomen to assure proper positioning on Proton Beam table. A soft mold is also created for your legs to keep them still during radiation), next an MRI was taken... only 15 minutes in the tube, day 2 ended with a PRO Survey which is an introduction to the Patient Experience Survey. Day started at 8:45 and ended by 11:30... sweet. Super easy, non-invasive (no rectal probes, injections). 5 PB Radiation Treatments start 12 days later 12/27. Finish 1/9/2023.

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Replies to "PSA 10.5 diagnosed with Gleason 3+3 mid-September. Read Wash's book, Surviving Prostate Cancer. All currently available..."
melcanada | @melcanada | Dec 16, 2022

My Bone scan and CT scan show small growths in T10, T11 and left hip socket with 1" x 1 1/2" of metastasis in L1 lumbar My L2 was radiated almost 2 years ago and put back on Zolodex injections every 3 months which will continue
In Jan medical oncologist medicating me with 3 daily pills of Enzalutamide oral chemo for life and they may use radiation on L1 and other spinal metastases
The say good probability of 5 years and maybe more I'm 78 Prayers so important
Ideas welcome

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jrhamp | @jrhamp | Dec 16, 2022

It has been 10 years or so since Loma Linda for proton radiation. They used a full body mold.
When in the mold and on the system to which you (and the mold) are attached, they place a balloon up your rectum which apparently makes the target location on the prostate more defined. A dry run, if you will was done whereas the machine to which provides the radiation "locks" on the location of the cancer. So, every morning this was done for 10 weeks.

Usually at that time, there were two machines for prostate and several more for other patients undergoing proton radiation therapy. Loma Linda is a children's hospital and proton was use for children with brain cancer. That alone provides a proof source to the exactness of the procedure.

The waiting room for those of us waiting in the morning as we were in gowns (the back open) and slippers. So, I had a chance to speak briefly with perhaps 10 or 15 patients over my time.
Nearly all were doctors! That alone provided the ultimate proof source to my decision on what and where.

The "brotherhood of the balloon" was a well used phrase..those of us who used the balloon as mentioned above. No doubt other forms of exactness are used. so check around so you understand exactly what and how the procedure is administered.

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