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Questions on radiation therapy...

sunblade
Posts: 8
Joined: Oct 2003
Nov 21, 2003 - 10:07 am

In 2000 I had a R.R.P. My gleason score was 7, stage T3A. I also had a Sural Nerve Graft which was not effective. My PSA is now at .3, up until now it's been < .1, I was told to have my PSA drawn again in February and if it's still high to have external beam radiation treatment which will be every day for six weeks.
What I'd like to know is: (1)Why the long wait? (2)What are the possible side effects? (3)Are there any other options that anyone knows of?

nutt
Posts: 140
 Joined: Sep 2001
Nov 22, 2003 - 3:33 pm
Re: Questions on radiation therapy...

The best source for answers to your questions is your doctor. If, you don't get the answers from him/her then you may want to take other steps however, I too was impatient with my PSA scores. They originally showed a slight climb and are now after 1-1/2 years dropping. What I was told all the time by my doctor was that " it wasn't important that the PSA went up or down a little, just that it did not trend or continue up".
As for beam radiation... it supposedly has the least impact (notice "least") as it is computer directed and supposedly minimizes damage to tissue that is not targeted. That does not say there won't be some unwanted damage to other tissue but it is greatly imporved over the shotgun approach where everything in the beams way was zapped. It is a great step forward.
As to side effects, you need to discuss with your doctor. Hope some of this helps. The biggest fear we all have is not having the facts, regardless of what they are. Check with your doctor. Good luck and God bless.
Joe

meadc
Posts: 25
 Joined: May 2001
Dec 03, 2003 - 9:26 am
Re: Questions on radiation therapy...

I had my operation in Aug. of 1999. In Feb.I had radiation, 36 treatments, Mon thru Fri.

The only reason I can think of is the Doc whats to see if it will go down. If it goes down you may not have to have to radiation.

I was lucky, I got all the treatments on time and didn't miss a day, so I finished on time. I had very few side effects, I had the sunburn from the treatments and got very tired at first, which was bad for me because I had to drive 50 miles home after the treatments. I know I was lucky because a man started at the same time as I and in 3 days he had kidney pain and