Radiation treatment

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I haven't started treatment,just curious about side effects of radiation. Any hair loss, nausea,tiredness etc

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  • Posted

    If you want a specific answer, I suggest you rephrase your question indicating what type of radiation and whether it is high dose or low dose.

    I assume this would make a difference in either the types of side effects or their severity.

  • Posted

    My husband suffered hair loss in the genital area mostly at the site where he got one of the tattoos for the beam. He also suffered general energy loss which has improved in the past almost 8 weeks since radiation ended. He also suffered some incontinence, frequency, urgency all of which have improved.  Everything except genital shrinkage, ED and the loss of his scent have  improved. But we believe that's more the result of the hormone therapy which is ongoing and so these side effects are likely permanent and not helped with viagra like drugs
  • Posted

    Roger,

    I have a friend that retired from the Cancer Research Center here in San Antonio, Texas where I live. She told me that there is fatigue associated with any type of radiation... hari loss is not common. I had the low dose radiation seed implants, and I have some fatigue on and off. The doctor says to listen to your body when you feel tired. So I try to do that - when I do physical work and start feeling tired, I have to lay down on the sofa for a little while. The fatigue is not every day and should pass when your treatment is completed. What type of radiation will you be having?

    Charles

     

    • Posted

      Charles,

      Thank you for sharing your experience with radiation. I want know my game plan of treatment until June2. I have a Prostate MRI scheduled for May 18. Also my pathological remains were sent to a lab called Polaris. Then June 2 I will learn the results of both tests. A treatment will be decided then. I am thinking some type of radiation will be implemented then. The wait of finding out and not knowing the severity of my cancer is causing lots of stress, I am trying to deal with.

      P.S. I am wondering if I am a candidate for the low dose Brachythearpy? There is one type of radiation that you go every day for several months. Any thing that would shorten my treatment, I am for that. Again, thanks for the info you provided on radiation.

      Roger

    • Posted

      Yes, do some research on Brachytherapy. It is a good treatment for low to intermediate risk prostate cancer. That one is a one time treatment and you're done. Another to consider is Cyberknife. It is 5 treatments and a bit more involved than the Brachytherapy. I considered that also. But the Brachytherapy is once and you're done... and that's a good thing. The traditional radiation - IMRT which is external beam radiation is where you go every day for about 9 weeks. Check out the Brachytherapy and Cyberknife. If you are a candidate for those - go for it.

      Charles

    • Posted

      I certainly will explore those two. If I am a candidate. Lots better than 2...3 months of treatment. Thanks, Charles.
    • Posted

      You say that on 2 June you'll get the results of the rings and the biopsy and that treatment will be decided at that time.

      may I suggest you slow down.

      when you get the results of the MRI and pathology you will be told the treatment options.

      i don't think you should decide on treatment at that time. Consider the options and ask the urologist how much time you have to consider them.

      i will be in the same boat in late June and have no inclination to decide on treatment with a gun held to my head.

    • Posted

      Sorry, my iPad spelled 'rings' where I meant to type 'mri'.
    • Posted

      Good advice....I certainly will try to make the best decision that is best for me. I have been doing research on the Avilable treatments.. I know what my biopsy results are. I am just waiting on the MRI results. And the Prolaris score. The Prolaris score will determine the aggressive non aggressive of my cancer. I have an appointment June,2 to learn the results of the MRI and Prolaris score.
    • Posted

      My readings on Polaris indicate that it can tell if a person your age with your Gleason score has a higher risk for metastasis than a similar aged man.

      All well and good as far as it goes.

      But it says nothing about the impact of outcomes, which of course are a function of the therapy applied.

    • Posted

      The Prolaris score will let you and your Doctor know if the pathology remains of your biopsy is aggressive cancer or non aggressive . Based on the score you get a treatment plan can be discussed and determined which is best for the patient. If the score is low an active survillance therapy could be beneficial, rather than evasive trestment. Also a 10 year prostate cancer specfic mortality risk. The Gleason score has nothing to do with their test. It is Genetics testing.

      .

    • Posted

      I see. I was not advised of the Polaris score, but then again I was advised to have a biopsy which I rejected until I had a MRI.

      earlier you indicated your interest in brachytherapy. I think what is more important than the number of sessions a therapy requires is the type of and probability of side effects,

      for instance I would opt for more radiation if that means less or no sexual dysfunction side effects when compared with a one off low dose Brachy. Brachy while quicker and simpler, has side effects don't forget that.

  • Posted

    All radiation treatments have some side effects. With time, they will become less and less. As for the Brachytherapy - no sexual disfunction here. It was recommenended to obstain from sex for the first 2 weeks after the treatment. After that, as you wish. From what I have learned through friends who have experienced the external beam radiation (and I am not knocking that treatment because it too works), side effects begin later in the treatment. With the Brachytherapy, side effects start sooner, but they are over sooner too. Any radiation treatment will cause some inflammation to the urinary tract and to the prostate, but it also becomes less and less with time. For me, it seems that the inflammation occurs mostly when I do too much physical activity. I am currently doing some renovations to my home and I know I overdue it a bit.  Ibuprophen helps the inflammation. Cyberknife I think would also be a good treatment option. I considered that too - do research on all your treatment options. I guess you can make a better decison once you get your next results.

    keep us posted... and good luck.

    Charles

    • Posted

      Charles,

      Yes, I will be very diligent in choosing my treatment, aftet my test results I am researching all options. I also want the opinions of the professionals that I will be in contact with. I like the Brachythearpy because of the number of treatments. I am not looking forward to 5 days a week for 2-3 months. However, if that is what it best I shall do it.

      I seen an AD on Facebook that offers a one time nonevasive cure of prostate cancer. They are called HIFU. The catch is no insurance will cover cost as of yet,because it was only approved last year. You pay $25,000 up front for the procedure. I would not pay that amount up front and no guarantee that it cures in one treatment. Look it up .HIFU.

      Roger.

  • Posted

    Roger,

    Just keep in mind that June 2nd will help you decide on your treatment options... there will be a solution for you. What ever treatment you decide on, make sure the doctors have done that treatment many times successfully. My oncologist, who I really like - explained all treatments available to me. He even drew pictures on a large tablet to help explain the procedures. He would be the doctor that would perform any of the treatments that involved radiation. The first opton was the IBRT (external beam radiation), which he said would be 8 to 9 weeks each day. Those are very short sessions. Basically you don't feel anything in the beginning. Side effects start to come later in the treatment... but they get less with time after the treament ends. The other option he spoke of was the Cyberknife. The first session for Cyberknife involves having 4 fudicial markers inserted into the prostate. Those markers help focus the radiation beam where it is needed and helps avoid other tissues. Then a week of so later, treatment begins. 5 treatments every other day for 2 weeks. He said I would have to have a fleets enema before each session. Then drink a large glass of water to fill my bladder. I would have to hold my full bladder for the 45 minutes of the treatment. The reason for the full bladder is that it helps hold the bladder away from the prostate and the radiation beam. The Brachytherapy was the next discussion - and it seemed like the best for me. For the Brachytherapy, the prostate has to be within a certain size range. Fortunately, mine was correct for this. He was not pushing me towards any treatment. He was just giving me information to make my own decison. He gave me his personal cell phone number and his email address so I could contact him for any questions or concerns before I made my decsion. He told me that any of those treatments would cure my cancer. Which is the main goal here... and of course a treatment with as few side effects as possible. To me, it sounded like a good choice of the Brachytherapy. I really considered the Cyberknife as well. I have been in communication with a guy that lives in Connecticut who had the Brachytheray 6 months ago. He and I are the same age, so I ask him questions and get updates on his situation. And he is doing really well.

    Prior to the Brachytherapy procedure, my urologist put me on Tamsulosin (generic Flomax) even though I was not having problems with urination. He said this was precaution to help keep me going after the treatment. With any radiation, there will be some inflammation and the Tamsulosin will help... and it does. He said this will not be a permanant prescription, and eventually I can come off taking it.

    I will be wishing you the best of luck on the 2nd of June.

    Charles

    • Posted

      Charles,

      I am very grateful for you to take time to keep me informed on treatments that I could choose from. This will be very valuable to me when decision time comes. I want the best treatment for my situation, and I will not have to choose not knowing the details of each one. Again, thanks for being there for me. I will keep in touch.

      Roger

    • Posted

      Charles is right recommending you look at all the possible trartements and their possible side effects.

      but note that if one person goes through brachytherapy without sexual dysfunction side effects it didn't mean the next person will. Let's not forget what this trartement is all about... implanting radioactive seeds in your prostate.

      also I suggest you consider options not offered. Y your urologist or oncologist such as proton therapy that has a good reputation for no or very little side effects.

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