Starting Proton Treatments for Prostate Cancer: Any experiences?

@stevesien What I did not mention is my PSA began to rise about 4 years ago. In early 2025, I had MRI and PET scan and nothing conclusive. I just had a conversation with the urologist and we both agreed active surveillance was the best option along with PSA tests every 4 to 6 months. With 15 years of information gathering and review, I am more informed than most. It seems every man is different in some way based on PSA, MRI, PET scan and Gleason score. So, each to his own. Remember, aging has an impact on PSA scores regardless. Also, BPH or other can impact PSA. Thanks for stopping in...

@westernflyer I also had proton radiation in 2010. Tsukuba university hospital in Tokyo. It was also 39 treatments and I happen to know the same machine as Loma Linda. It was not covered by insurance. Total cost was about $25,000.
I also did 1 1/2 years of ADT. For the last 15 years, my PSA has remained around .2. I recently had something show up on my spine. Which was possibly recurring cancer but a newer PET scan machine says it is not active. Does not seem to be cancerous. With my PSA being so low for 15 years all of the AI Chatbots and my Dr concur the chance of my cancer recurring is about 1%. And I was initially a Gleason seven and eight and T3 ANOMO.

@imbimbo Yes. That should always be done to protect from long-term rectal issues. Makes something like that very low probability. No matter what they say, always do it.

@imbimbo I had two (2) biopsies, and both validated the case for low growth prostate cancer.
Remember, the Gleason score is subjective and depends upon the interpretation of the cells by a pathologist, as such an opinion.

I had TricCare for Life, so the cost was zero, although the bill was over $125,000 total. Of course housing for 2.5 months plus rental care and such made the experience a long one.

rh/florida

I am 77 my Gleason score was 8 (4+4) Pet scan was negative and just completed 28 IMRT radiation treatments and am taking Orgovyx now and Doctor want me to take for two years. To help me get through the Radiation Therapy I had to drink 80 oz of water daily and do weight resistance training daily. To help with all the water consumption I added True citrus lime which is available on Amazon. Good luck on you path forward

@westernflyer did you know that a Gleason 6 may not require treatment. Just wondering if they informed you that active surveillance is an option.

@robertov where did you get it and was there a need to use a spacer between prostate and rectum?

Just finished 5 fractions of Proton Therapy on Sept 19th. Mainly urgency of going. Some pain with urination, but minor enough to ignore. I had Gleason 4+4 so it was a stretch. I had a choice of 20+ fractions but it was 2 hours away and I wanted to get it over with. So far, a little fatigue (partly from the ADT) partly from the procedure. I think you make a good choice.

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