Update on Gleason 9

djs123
djs123 Member Posts: 102
in Prostate Cancer #1
My husband was diagnosed in January, C scan and bone scan were clear. Recommended treatment HT and Rt. After 30 days on lupron, he started radiation. (will be daily for about 8 weeks). Has had 8 treatments so far ( says they are quick and pain free)
He has also had an additional 3 month lupron shot . His side effects so far are not bad. Has hot flashes, but they are not horrible.
He's also tired, but not so it's affecting daily activities. Trouble urinating and frequency at night is an issue. Doctor has him taking flomax twice a day now, hopefully will help.
So far so good. I will update again in a few weeks time.

Comments

  • VascodaGama
    VascodaGama Member Posts: 3,701 Member
    #2
    Thanks for the info
    DJS

    I am glad to know about the start of the treatment. You are a “fighter” and your husband is fortunate in having you in his care.
    I wonder if you could share more info on the protocol of the treatment, e.i; the total Grays.
    Hopefully the mild effects continue and the treatment “traps” the beast fully.

    Fatigue is common on HT and RT. He may experience irritation/inflammation at the areas radiated but they can be countered with side medicines.

    Wishing you the best.
    VGama
  • Celticroots2
    Celticroots2 Member Posts: 43
    #3
    Also watch for radiation
    Also watch for radiation burns. My husbands RT resulted in a large burn appearing on his back. I used Aloe 3 times a day (use cream with NO alcohol) changed the sheets every day and only coolish showers. He also found it difficult to eat so I made him lots of smoothies and Ensure.
  • djs123
    djs123 Member Posts: 102
    #4
    Celticroots2 said:

    Also watch for radiation
    Also watch for radiation burns. My husbands RT resulted in a large burn appearing on his back. I used Aloe 3 times a day (use cream with NO alcohol) changed the sheets every day and only coolish showers. He also found it difficult to eat so I made him lots of smoothies and Ensure.

    gleason 9 update
    V - not sure what you mean by "Grays". I will reply when I understand what your question refers to.

    C -Regarding radiation burns, when did these occur? My husband is having IMRT is that what your's had? I don't like the sound of this. I hope your husband is doing better. Is he finished with treatment now?
  • VascodaGama
    VascodaGama Member Posts: 3,701 Member
    #5
    djs123 said:

    gleason 9 update
    V - not sure what you mean by "Grays". I will reply when I understand what your question refers to.

    C -Regarding radiation burns, when did these occur? My husband is having IMRT is that what your's had? I don't like the sound of this. I hope your husband is doing better. Is he finished with treatment now?

    Grays = absorved radiation dose (Gy)
    DJS

    Grays (Gy) refers to the radiation dose. Protocols vary according to patient’s status and age. 8 weeks may be for 40 fractions/sections (8x5), which usually is distributed to wider beam radiation plus focal. The dose may vary depending on the area irradiated and the isodose homogeneity. The total applied Grays in RT are important factors in prime treatments (radical). The total may vary between 78 to 82 Gy.
    My question is more as own curiosity on your husband’s radiologist choice.

    In my salvage IMRT case after surgery (no prostate gland in place), I was given 68Gy in 37 fractions (every day except Sundays).
    I never felt fatigue (played golf on weekends) or nausea. I had a sensation of burning pain on my fifths’ week of treatment when urinating and the stool became much liquefied with traces of blood (proctitis), although no skin hardness or burning marks (at the points were radiation enters the body). These side effects were treated with separate medicines during the three month post treatment, but apart from the partial loss of rectum sensation at discharge, all physical symptoms have gone and I never experienced incontinence.
    Now, five years post RT I saw blood in my stool in two occasions which seems to be related to sensibility of colon walls when in stress (long stressful periods of physical activity, ie; harsh walks, etc.). This may be related to late side effects from radiation treatment.

    An important reminder is that of drinking a lot of water 45 minutes before each section to avoid higher radiation of bladder.

    Good luck in your husband’s journey.
    VGama
  • djs123
    djs123 Member Posts: 102
    #6
    VascodaGama said:

    Grays = absorved radiation dose (Gy)
    DJS

    Grays (Gy) refers to the radiation dose. Protocols vary according to patient’s status and age. 8 weeks may be for 40 fractions/sections (8x5), which usually is distributed to wider beam radiation plus focal. The dose may vary depending on the area irradiated and the isodose homogeneity. The total applied Grays in RT are important factors in prime treatments (radical). The total may vary between 78 to 82 Gy.
    My question is more as own curiosity on your husband’s radiologist choice.

    In my salvage IMRT case after surgery (no prostate gland in place), I was given 68Gy in 37 fractions (every day except Sundays).
    I never felt fatigue (played golf on weekends) or nausea. I had a sensation of burning pain on my fifths’ week of treatment when urinating and the stool became much liquefied with traces of blood (proctitis), although no skin hardness or burning marks (at the points were radiation enters the body). These side effects were treated with separate medicines during the three month post treatment, but apart from the partial loss of rectum sensation at discharge, all physical symptoms have gone and I never experienced incontinence.
    Now, five years post RT I saw blood in my stool in two occasions which seems to be related to sensibility of colon walls when in stress (long stressful periods of physical activity, ie; harsh walks, etc.). This may be related to late side effects from radiation treatment.

    An important reminder is that of drinking a lot of water 45 minutes before each section to avoid higher radiation of bladder.

    Good luck in your husband’s journey.
    VGama

    update on gleason 9 GRAYS
    HI VGama

    Thanks for clarifying. Funny you should ask, he is getting what appears to be significantly higher than the norm....180. When he questioned the doctor, the doc said that was correct. He meets with the doctor on Wednesday and will address this again, since we are both concerned with the high dosage. However, it may be due to the fact that he's a gleason 9 and was diagnosed as aggressive growth.

    He goes 5 days a week, off Saturday & Sunday.
    Thanks
    djs
  • djs123
    djs123 Member Posts: 102
    #7
    djs123 said:

    update on gleason 9 GRAYS
    HI VGama

    Thanks for clarifying. Funny you should ask, he is getting what appears to be significantly higher than the norm....180. When he questioned the doctor, the doc said that was correct. He meets with the doctor on Wednesday and will address this again, since we are both concerned with the high dosage. However, it may be due to the fact that he's a gleason 9 and was diagnosed as aggressive growth.

    He goes 5 days a week, off Saturday & Sunday.
    Thanks
    djs

    Grays
    Hi V

    We found out on Monday that the dosage of radiation is 88 gy (or 188 c, which i think is centigrade, will find out more tomorrow when he speaks with the doctor.
    d
  • VascodaGama
    VascodaGama Member Posts: 3,701 Member
    #8
    djs123 said:

    Grays
    Hi V

    We found out on Monday that the dosage of radiation is 88 gy (or 188 c, which i think is centigrade, will find out more tomorrow when he speaks with the doctor.
    d

    Centigrades
    DJS
    Thanks for the info.
    Present protocols aim higher doses because it has higher rates of success. Your info on 188 may be the fractional isodose planning. Radiation dose usually varies between 1.8 to 2.5 Gy per section (day), depending on the areas to be radiated (iliac lymph nodes, prostate gland, pelvic area, etc). The daily dose multiplied by the number of sections will give the total. (your case could be: 20 x 1.88 + 20 x 2.5 = 88 Gy)

    Along the course, inform the radiologist team of any symptom the soonest. Do not be shy.

    I wish you a successful treatment with the lesser side effects.

    VG

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