Finished 28 Proton Therapies

Your posts have been very helpful and informative. We are exactly the same age. I am still in the PC screening/ diagnostic phase. May I ask where you received the proton therapy?

lee, haven't wanted to interrupt the flow with sam and jc.
Similar situation options:
5 fraction Proton
5 fraction SRBT with MRI guidance
28 fraction Proton
I don't think the 5 fraction Proton with MRI guidance is available now, otherwise that would be my choice.
Take a look at the 5 anyway. Avoid surgery, if you can.
Best wishes

I'm 65 and I am in excellent health. I live in Northern Wisconsin summers and winter in Scottsdale 6 mo out of the year. Been staying up North going thru my Biopsy and Pet scan... Meet with a surgeon tomorrow. I also contacted Mayo Scottsdale and may decide to go down. there for a second opinion. Mayo Rochester MN is about 5 hours from me. If I go the Mayo route I could have their care where ever I am. (that's a plus). I believe the survival rates are equal with both proton therapy and RProstectomy. I'll know more tomorrow.

@leenielsen
I am 76. I was diagnosed when I was 75.

Gleason 8 is pretty high. Were you give Intermediate or High risk? I assume the rp means radicalprostrate surgery is that correct?

The PSMA (Pet Scan) showing no spread to nodes or SV is very good news. You do not mention your age. If I were a young man I might have more options to consider but I chose proton radiation.

If you are older and do not have an spread if were me would do the proton. Removing the prostrate is a way to remove the prostrate cancer and so is radiation. One the surgery has a lot more side affects and life changes.

So a personal choice you need to make. Have you researched the options you were given? Go over the pros and cons, side affects, short and long term recovery and that may help you decide. Do you also consider having a second opinion?

proton has an excellent side effect rate and also the healing process is faster, you take it monthly by month

Thanks for the reply... I had my Pylarify pet scan on Dec. 19th and it showed no spread. to nodes, seminal vesicles or skeletal so that was positive. I had 5 positive cores all on one side, all 4+4.

Meeting with the surgeon tomorrow (who does lots of Robotic surgeries) so I'll know then how booked out he is.

I live in Northern Wisconsin but winter in Scottsdale 6 months of the year. I have also contacted Mayo in Scottsdale but they haven't received my medical records yet. Once they do, I'll be contacted if they will accept me into their system for treatment. I think it would be beneficial to go thru Mayo as they are cutting edge whether Proton or Robotic surgery... I also live 5 hours from Mayo in Rochester should down the line I need further treatments as well. What have you heard on success rates for Proton? Similar to surgery I think?
Thanks, Lee

I am currently 71 years old to be 72 in April 2024. with the Gleason score 8 and above I would definitely go for proton beam therapy (with the Hydro-gel space oar) especially because of the amount of cores that you have are positive. Do not go on active surveillance you're taking a big risk. I only had one CORE positive with a Gleason score of 3+4 = 7 and my urologist said to me let's nip this in the bud. jmho- good luck

I’m 65…

Wondering your age? I am deciding on proton or rp.
5 positive cores all Gleason 8’s. Pet scan shows no spread to nodes or SV. Any advice?

Painful ejaculation during proton beam treatment is normal in my opinion.