Adjuvant IMRT

rooster02
rooster02 Member Posts: 12
edited October 2016 in Prostate Cancer #1

I am in my second week of IMRT Radiation Treatments with Banner MD Anderson. Banner Health and MD Anderson have a partnership in Arizona, I feel good about being able to source one if not the best in cancer treatment, MD Anderson. My post pathology report of the removed gland was not good, an aggressive cancer with a low PSA value. The RP was completed April 6th, September 19th radiation treatments were started, an approximate 6-month healing period. I have 30+ treatments scheduled, 5 days a week until completed. My PSA levels have remained less than 0.01 but, due to the post-operative pathology report, all agree we need to stay on top of the bandit as best we can. MD Anderson’s team recommended no hormone treatment in conjunction with the radiation.

Time will tell as to the effectiveness of the radiation treatment plan, I feel like we are doing the treatment to neutralize any remaining microscopic cancer cells in and around the prostate bed. The healing period was about as short as possible between procedures.

The physical impact of the radiation treatments, coupled with the necessary preparation for the almost daily treatment is frustrating. As the treatments impact your body, hitting your pretreatment targets for fullness of the bladder and emptiness of the rectum is a moving tight rope walk. This will only intensify as the number of treatment accumulate in the body. Just trying my best to give the radiation treatment the optimal chances for the highest possible success. The use of a clamp is humbling; it was not necessary before the radiation treatments began.

I have confidence in my Radiation Oncologist and the supporting MD Anderson team. No decision is made solo; the treatment plan, its administration, weekly progress reports/review is touched by several specialist and leadership. The Techs applying the radiation, are top notch. These ladies know how hard it is to get a full bladder only to hold it during the treatments, volume must be within a small cc range.

Adjuvant IMRT is where we are at this time in the fight against the bandit. Fight ON!

 

History link:

http://csn.cancer.org/node/302102

Comments

  • VascodaGama
    VascodaGama Member Posts: 3,707 Member
    #2
    Success in the horizon

    Roster,

    Thanks for reporting. I think you are doing well in trusting the team at MD. Surely the side effects will be there but you can expect improvements in a couple of months after RT. The good in abstaining from HT is that you can rely on the PSA results continuously to verify the treatment success.

    Best wishes for the remaining period of RT.

    Keep the Faith,

    VG

  • Old Salt
    Old Salt Member Posts: 1,530 Member
    edited October 2016 #3
    Adjuvant IMRT

    All you ever wanted to know about adjuvant IMRT (sllghtly dated):

    https://www.auanet.org/education/guidelines/radiation-after-prostatectomy.cfm

     

  • Max Former Hodgkins Stage 3
    Max Former Hodgkins Stage 3 Member Posts: 3,819 Member
    edited October 2016 #4
    Old Salt said:

    Adjuvant IMRT

    All you ever wanted to know about adjuvant IMRT (sllghtly dated):

    https://www.auanet.org/education/guidelines/radiation-after-prostatectomy.cfm

     

    Good Enough

    Old Salt,

    My experience leads me to believe that "slightly dated" PCa info is usually plenty good. While there are obvious advances in HT drugs and Imaging in the last few years, it appears to me that much in PCa evaluation and treatment approaches is the same today as it was 5 years ago, and probably longer than that.

    Especially in America, we regard information older than 24 hours "history," but in reality the world runs much, much more slowly -- a good thing.

    Thank you for the link,

    max

  • rooster02
    rooster02 Member Posts: 12
    edited October 2016 #5
    4 Adjuvant IMRT Treatments Remaining

    If the schedule holds true, only 4 IMRT treatments left until the IMRT scheme is complete. Two PSA tests; one when starting and anther last week reflected a 0.01 value. The physical side effects of the treatments are accumulative; medications are now used to support the physical requirements of the treatments.

    The requirements for the burn are; an empty rectum and a bladder full to the target min/max volume determined during radiation treatment design. As the treatments accumulate, the “trip point” for urination and the bladder volume delta becomes more narrow. The baller fullness assists to protect the rectum during the treatments.

    A CT scan is performed prior to each daily treatment to insure the targets are attainable with the IMRT. I now have three tattoos to align on the table with lasers before the CT scan. The treatments are very specific and the images are reviewed daily by my radiation oncologist. All of these steps elevate my confidence for the best possible outcomes. The radiation techs are top notch in administering the treatment plan.

    Understanding nothing is “for sure” with this treatment, I do feel this is a very proactive treatment to reach any small bands of cancer cells that may be left, undetectable, on and/or around the prostate bed.

    Fatigue, bladder control, some discomfort, and frustration have been the side effects. All increasing proportionately to the number of treatments applied. Frustration comes from the tight rope between rectum and bladder requirements.

    I am grateful I was able to retired between the robotic surgery and the Adjuvant IMRT; this treatment can take a physical and time toll. For me, it is the most important thing I can focus on, to get these last 4 treatments completed. Fight On!

  • Old Salt
    Old Salt Member Posts: 1,530 Member
    #6
    Insightful report!

    It looks that you are receiving state-of-the-art treatment. My wishes for a successful outcome.

    Hang in there!

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