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Starting Proton Treatments for Prostate Cancer: Any experiences?
Prostate Cancer | Last Active: May 4 7:05am | Replies (138)Comment receiving replies
I have been on AS two years (past one lesion 3+3 but always increasing PSA), unfortunately I have to get treated. PSA increased over 15 now, prostate over 100 cc, several lesions now, one was not hit properly on last biopsy but it is there, and what they got has 4 in there, but report notes it was not enough sample to call the lesion grade fully, other is a 3+4 lesion now so it is going to get treated.
Can anyone comment about inclusion and exclusion criteria for Proton in Rochester?
Did you have just one lesion or more than one anyone?
Do they aim the beam such that it kills just the lesion or does it just cover the whole prostate?
Can anyone say on ED rates, say 6 months, 1 year, 5 years, 10 years (be honest)?
How do they decide the 5 treatment sessions versus some say 20, etc?
Thanks in advance
Replies to "I have been on AS two years (past one lesion 3+3 but always increasing PSA), unfortunately..."
From what I understand 5 Proton treatments is quite common right now as of 2023. However your oncologist (RO) may have valid reasons for giving you more than 5. My first RO wanted to give me 5 Proton SBRT treatments. A second RO who does CyberKnife said it was common for Proton machines to breakdown. In addition, articles state that one can receive some bad burns on their skin (think sunburn) where the beam enters the body. Note: both ROs are on the East coast. My biopsy indicated 3 lesions, 2 are GL6 and one is 3+4=GL7. Just because only 3 were found does not mean that others are not lurking in the background since most biopsies are "blind" ones. I only learned recently that radiation is aimed at the entire prostate and does not target only the lesions. Most treatments are described as "targeting the tumor". This article states that radiating the whole prostate is what is "typically done". Go to https://www.inspire.com/groups/zero-prostate-cancer/discussion/meridian-view-ray-versus-cyberknife/ Then scroll down to the comment by Mark Scholz, MD Jan 7, 2021. Be sure to read it since it also clearly defines the 2 types of erectile dysfunction (ED). Finally, read the recent results of this large long term study regarding AS and discuss it with your RO. https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/study-finds-prostate-cancer-treatment-can-wait-men-rcna74512
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You decide how many. Originally they wanted 28 proton treatments for me but the minute I talked about CyberKnife needing only 5 all of a sudden "we can do 5". Think about it. How much do hospitals make on 28 treatments vs 5? Of course they want you to take more.