Fatigue Prior to Treatment

2»

Comments

  • RobLee
    RobLee Member Posts: 269 Member

    Proton therapy?

    Hi,

    You might want to look into Proton therapy.  From what I understand it goes right throught your body to the tumor.  It does not go past the tumor like other sources of radiation.  Some types of radiation treatments hit on the way in, then the tumor, then hit tissue on the way out as the beam goes throught you body.  Proton therapy  has a fixed beam length which should limit some collateral damage on the other side of the tumor.

    Dave 3+4

    Potential insurance pitfall

    I've heard that some insurance still does not cover proton therapy. Worth investigating before jumping in.

  • Mulhaley
    Mulhaley Member Posts: 12 Member

    .

    To change the emphasis of this thread, you stated, 

    "11 cores taken, 3 positive: left apex and left base.  Gleason 4+3, grade group 3.  60-75% Gleason pattern 4 in tumor volume.  Other cores exhibited granulomatous prostatitus, which my urologist found a little surprising.  Several DREs gave my doctors no cause for concern.  When my PSA level topped 6 (after monitoring it for a few years), my urologist suggested the biopsy."

    You also stated that you are seeking a RP.

    With a 4=3=7 there may be a chance that the cancer has escaped the prostate. Have you had any image tests. A 3T MRI may show if there is extracapsular extension. Surgery is localized to the prostate, so if in fact the cancer has escaped, additional active therapy will be necessary , ie radiation and or hormone treatments. The potential side effects of each treatment type is cummulative.

    Did you speak with a radiation oncologist. The perimeter of the radiaiton can be adjusted, so that it goes beyond the prostate, which is a benefit for more advanced diagnosis.

    Hopefully SSW will post a list of treatment options that are available for you.

    To emphasize, it is my thought that you want to do your due diligence now, and obtain complete diagnostic testing to avoid future consequences.

     

    3T MRI Ordered

    I took your advice and asked my urologist to order a T3 MRI to see what's going on.  If indeed there are extensions, I will consult with a radiation oncologist.  Thanks for your input, much appreciated.

  • Old Salt
    Old Salt Member Posts: 1,284 Member

    CK better than PBT

    I investigated PBT (proton beam therapy) at the same time that I was investigating CK (cyberknife stereotatic radiation body treatmennt) and I determined that CK is by far superior to PBT.  Here's what I learned:

    1) PBT was NOT covered by insurance and CK was.  That may have changed but PBT was also more expensive than CK.

    2) PBT is only available at limited sites because they have to build (or alread have available) a cyclotron to generate the proton beam.  That's why you usually find PBT only at university sponsored medical centers.  This is also why PBT is more costly than CK.   CK equipment can easily fit a normal surgical room.

    3) PBT required 5 daily treatments over 8 weeks, much the same as IMRT. However, unlike IMRT which is widely available, the limited availability of PBT means that you will probably have to move to the treatment location for 2 months in order to complete the treatments.  The number of treatments may have since been reduced (as they have been for IMRT) but it is unlikely that fewer than 20 treatments are required which still means a month living near the treatment site.  CK only requires 3-4 treatments over a week's time.  CK sites are available nationwide in many cities/town but, even if there isn't a CK site located near you, you would only have to stay there for a week at most -- not 1-2 months.

    4) At the time I looked into it, treatment w/PBT required the patient to be fitted for and placed in a body cast so that there would be no movement during treatment AND a baloon filled with water also had to be inserted in the rectum to protect it from proton beam radiation.  I was told that the body cast is no longer required; not sure about the balloon.  CK never required such devices for treatment.  CK is accurate down to the sub-mm level and treatment can be delivered in 360 degrees and adjusted for both body and organ movement.  During my treatment, the operator actually stopped treatment until gas passed through my intestine.  Now THAT is precision!!

    These were the major differences that I found between PBT and CK and make clear why I chose CK over PBT.

    Proton Beam Therapy?

    I am largely in agreement with the points that Swingshiftworker made.

    There's no convincing evidence (published in refereed medical journals) that proton beam therapy is better with respect to curing the cancer(s) and subsequent side effects. Moreover, SBRT is so much faster (five sessions); what's  not to like, assuming you are a candidate for radiation therapy. And finally there is the money/insurance issue.

  • Swingshiftworker
    Swingshiftworker Member Posts: 1,017 Member
    edited March 2017 #25

    Proton therapy?

    Hi,

    You might want to look into Proton therapy.  From what I understand it goes right throught your body to the tumor.  It does not go past the tumor like other sources of radiation.  Some types of radiation treatments hit on the way in, then the tumor, then hit tissue on the way out as the beam goes throught you body.  Proton therapy  has a fixed beam length which should limit some collateral damage on the other side of the tumor.

    Dave 3+4

    CK better than PBT

    I investigated PBT (proton beam therapy) at the same time that I was investigating CK (cyberknife stereotatic radiation body treatmennt) and I determined that CK is by far superior to PBT.  Here's what I learned:

    1) PBT was NOT covered by insurance and CK was.  That may have changed but PBT was also more expensive than CK.

    2) PBT is only available at limited sites because they have to build (or alread have available) a cyclotron to generate the proton beam.  That's why you usually find PBT only at university sponsored medical centers.  This is also why PBT is more costly than CK.   CK equipment can easily fit a normal surgical room.

    3) PBT required 5 daily treatments over 8 weeks, much the same as IMRT. However, unlike IMRT which is widely available, the limited availability of PBT means that you will probably have to move to the treatment location for 2 months in order to complete the treatments.  The number of treatments may have since been reduced (as they have been for IMRT) but it is unlikely that fewer than 20 treatments are required which still means a month living near the treatment site.  CK only requires 3-4 treatments over a week's time.  CK sites are available nationwide in many cities/town but, even if there isn't a CK site located near you, you would only have to stay there for a week at most -- not 1-2 months.

    4) At the time I looked into it, treatment w/PBT required the patient to be fitted for and placed in a body cast so that there would be no movement during treatment AND a baloon filled with water also had to be inserted in the rectum to protect it from proton beam radiation.  I was told that the body cast is no longer required; not sure about the balloon.  CK never required such devices for treatment.  CK is accurate down to the sub-mm level and treatment can be delivered in 360 degrees and adjusted for both body and organ movement.  During my treatment, the operator actually stopped treatment until gas passed through my intestine.  Now THAT is precision!!

    These were the major differences that I found between PBT and CK and make clear why I chose CK over PBT.

  • hopeful and optimistic
    hopeful and optimistic Member Posts: 2,339 Member
    Mulhaley said:

    3T MRI Ordered

    I took your advice and asked my urologist to order a T3 MRI to see what's going on.  If indeed there are extensions, I will consult with a radiation oncologist.  Thanks for your input, much appreciated.

    smart move

    Glad that you listened, and are taking action. 

    Best 

    h

  • GazH
    GazH Member Posts: 1
    edited March 2019 #27
    Fatigue

     

    Hi all,

    I am a new member and was actracted to this forum by Mulhaley's post. I am 61 year old have prostate cancer with a Gleeson score of 8, T3 and still waiting for a radical prostatectomy.

     After first being diagnosed, October 2017, I have lost 45lbs in weight, started cycling, kayaking, weight training and generally I was feeling very well. Over the last few weeks however, I have been feeling extremely weak, dizzy, tired and have trouble getting out of bed and doing simple tasks. I was wondering if this could be an effect of the cancer and if anyone else has experienced similar symptoms prior to treatment. I have read that there has been a study done in the UK and Canada on this but I have not found any other information. I mentioned this to my GP but he just dismissed it and gave me a prescription for anti-depressants. I do get depressed but I think that this is a feeling that most men with Prostate Cancer suffer.

    On the plus side I have finally received confirmation of my surgery date in three weeks’ time. Although anxious I am keen to get this cancer out of me and start recovery.

     Kind regards, 

    GazH.

     

     

     

     

  • lighterwood67
    lighterwood67 Member Posts: 374 Member
    GazH said:

    Fatigue

     

    Hi all,

    I am a new member and was actracted to this forum by Mulhaley's post. I am 61 year old have prostate cancer with a Gleeson score of 8, T3 and still waiting for a radical prostatectomy.

     After first being diagnosed, October 2017, I have lost 45lbs in weight, started cycling, kayaking, weight training and generally I was feeling very well. Over the last few weeks however, I have been feeling extremely weak, dizzy, tired and have trouble getting out of bed and doing simple tasks. I was wondering if this could be an effect of the cancer and if anyone else has experienced similar symptoms prior to treatment. I have read that there has been a study done in the UK and Canada on this but I have not found any other information. I mentioned this to my GP but he just dismissed it and gave me a prescription for anti-depressants. I do get depressed but I think that this is a feeling that most men with Prostate Cancer suffer.

    On the plus side I have finally received confirmation of my surgery date in three weeks’ time. Although anxious I am keen to get this cancer out of me and start recovery.

     Kind regards, 

    GazH.

     

     

     

     

    Start your thread

    You may want to start your on thread.  Should be easier to keep up with and not mix your case with Mulhaley's.  Good luck on your journey.