SBRT Side Effects

Posted by dekestet @dekestet, 5 hours ago

I’m starting SBRT in a few weeks (3+4 Gleason) and want to anticipate the immediate side effects. Aside from PC, I’m in good health (especially for my 69 years) with a regular exercise program. I’d appreciate input from those who have been there, including ways to manage the effects.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Prostate Cancer Support Group.

jeff Marchi | @jeffmarc | 3 hours ago

My brother had SBRT radiation to his prostate at 77. He had five sessions. The only problem he had was some proctitis Which he took Flomax to resolve. The problem lasted less than three months. They also put them on ADT and he had hot flashes from those. Went on for at over six months after It wore off because it took that long for his testosterone to return.

If they want you on ADT, tell them you want Orgovyx, testosterone returns much quicker with it. If you are going on ADT, there are side effects that you may notice. The shorter time you are on ADT the shorter time the side effects are a problem And the fewer problems you will have.

toolbelt | @toolbelt | 2 hours ago

I had 5 sessions of SBRT 26 months ago at age 68. I too had, and continued a regular and fairly vigorous exercise program (typically 30 mins cardio, 15 minutes abs, 45 minutes on weight machines 5 days a week and walked 18 holes of golf the other 2 days. The days of treatment I did not go to the gym but would walk 3 miles after each session. During the treatment I had virtually no side effects. One month after treatment I went on a 2 week SCUBA trip to Honduras. I was also on Orgovyx for 6 months. Here is a summary of my experience. Executive summary is minor side effects after the fifth treatment that resolved in two weeks. Day Procedure Side Effect
1 First Treatment None
2
3
4
5
6
7 Second Treatment
8 reduced flow at night
9 Third Treatment Headache, medium fatigue evening
10
11
12
13 Fourth Treatment
14
15 Fifth Treatment Minimal fatigue
16 Pee 3 time at night, low flow, some urgency day time
17 Pee once at night
18 Minor hot flash at night, pee at 6am
19 GI urgency, some mucus (blood??), no Flomax at night, pee once. One doculax at night, some BM in am.
20 GI Urgency, some mucus, watery blood on toilet paper
21 GI Urgency/constipation. Burning on urination less.
22 This morning GI a little better, burning GU gone, pee 3 times last night.
23 Two "urgency" episodes that I did not need to act on last night. A little constipated this morning. Urination is fine.
24 Some constipation, watery blood on TP, mucus. Urination fine.
25 Urgency last night a couple times, once needed to get up and hit the can. Lots of gas…..This morning urgency ok, still a bit constipated (take that with a grain of salt as they used to set the Atomic Clock based on my "regularity". Urination fine.
26 Yesterday was best GI has felt since treatment ended. A little urgency and gas. Hopefully this will continue. Urination fine.
27 GI continues to improve, less urgency. Still some constipation.
28 Other than reduced diameter of stool and a little constipation GI is nearly normal. Urination continues at pre treatment levels (with Flomax)
29 Stools nearly back to normal, urgency gone, urination fine. No fatigue.
30 Pretty much back to normal