Urinary Retention after Prostate Radiation

In the cancer center where I had my SBRT, I was told that they also use the MR Linac for prostate patients who aren't able to have the gold seed fiducial markers implanted on them. These patients will therefore receive MRI&guided radiotherapy. As I had gold seeds implanted, I received MRI-guided radio planning with a mini-CT scan before each treatment. With the wider margin in the older Elekta, plus I didn't have SpaceOAR, I might have had some damage in my rectum. I noticed some mucus & blood in my week-3 post SBRT, that cleared on week-4. Somebody indicated to me that the mucus meant the radiated healthy cells were self-repairing, the veins were still sensitive hence the little blood on the stool as it moved out. I hope this is true. Other than this, I don't know if MRI Linac + SpaceOAR would have prevented the bleeding on week-3. I'm now on week-8 post-SBRT.
How was your (and others) experience sans MRI-guided radiotherapy?

I also didn't have any kind of gel spacer as with the location of my tumor the gel would have interfered with the radiation. I had the balloon, which wasn't the most pleasant thing ever but certainly could have been worse. I had 28 proton therapy treatments that finished 18 days ago and after a few days of diarrhea I have no further issues. I hope that continues but know radiation can have delayed side effects.

Funny you should say that. I just had a conversation with my RO about that subject at Orlando Cancer Center. She said that if everybody wanted the Mridian, they would not be able to accommodate them. They also have the Varian Edge and a Proton machine. They are getting the Elekta Unity in about a year.

Also, when I did a telehealth with the Moffitt Cancer center, the RO stated that if I wanted to use the dynamic mapping capability of the Mridian that I should go someplace else, so I did. Although there is way more to that story, part of his reasoning was that other types of cancer treatments involve more movement than the prostate.

I am happy for you. I didn't have the option that you had -- go somewhere else. There are only two MRI Linacs within a 300-mile radius where I live. And yes, their limited capacity is dedicated to those who need a greater accuracy (less margin than the older Elektas).

Radiation caused an urethral stricture (obstruction ) for me, Getting a look at the urethra is a good idea. If you can self catheterize an obstruction is unlikely, but you never know. If there is damage hyperbaric oxygen may help. If there is a stricture the insertion of a balloon can open/widen tne passage.