Starting Proton Treatments for Prostate Cancer: Any experiences?

Proton radiation therapy in 2010 at Loma Linda Hospital. Two and one-half months (2.5 months) or morning proton radiation therapy, Gleason 3 plus 3, localized PC; PSA 6.47.

Longer-term sessions with reduced proton radiation minimize any issue(s) with tissue. Ask your doctor, and they will validate this fact. The intensity of the radiation and the length of time of radiation are subjective decisions made by your doctor. Keep in mind, the shorter the time, the more the hospital can accommodate others and increase income. I had TriCare for Life and the bill was over $125,000 not including housing, meals, etc, which was my responsibility. In closing, I would estimate that meeting others in the morning prior to the radiation, half or more of the patients were physicians with various levels of prostate cancer.

@waynen yes radiation therapy

@mhordes Did you have radiation therapy? The urethra gets hit by the radiation and will irritate the part going through the prostrate and the flo max will help the flow without the irritation. That could be where the problem is.

@mhordes It was called Flo Max. I don't know if it has another name. It worked well for me. Good look.

@waynen what kind of prescription for urination pain? Mine is pretty bad and they thought I had UTI gave me antibiotics but the culture showed no infection? Is Flow Max the RX. Tried AZO but not much help.

I had 28 sessions Proton. Prep is being regular, constipation is an issue be sure to communicate with your RO. Drink sufficient water , set up a consistent pattern to have bladder full. Always have rectal spacer with proton, it can cause rectal bleeding. After I completed my course my doc told me up to 30% of patients may have rectal bleeding, much of it light. Spacer is helpful with that. I am 5 months out and OK. Have had some rectal urgency but that is getting better. I think IMRT is just as good, SBRT is as good but a bit harder on urinary tract. MRI Guided SBRT is currently the best in my mind if your doc recommends. My opinion all, best of luck!

My GS was 3+4, sorry for the error.

@bigtoe
Most all the major prosate treatment centers are now offering the high dose less treatments along with low dose extended treatments.

The limited research (since the new 5 high dose) is fairly new showing both having about same success rate on treatments.

My PCP at Mayo (not my statistic or research) told me the research is showing an increase in side affects with the high dose treatments. My R/O at UFHPTI did not like doing the 5 high dose for many reasons. I had 30 rounds of pencil beam proton radiation.

It would make sense that the high dose would bring on the side affects quicker. But from my opinion and just an opinion the shorter 5 doses on 5 separate days versus 30 days would allow the body to start healing much faster than being bombarded for 6-7 weeks versus 2.

If I had the option today not sure I would not go with the 5 day treatment as the mental aspect of getting it over psychologically can really help.

Three years after, have you no regrets for opting out ADT (hormone therapy)? As you expected, and I expect as well?

What was your Gleason score? You and @bigtoe both had 5 proton treatments at Mayo Rochester. Did you also decline ADT? He had GS 4+3. If you had the same GS, the more I question, why do I need 8 months to a year of ADT for my Gleason 3+4? I have been on Orgovyx since March 26 and I plan to take it for no more than six months post-SBRT.