Fatigue Prior to Treatment

Clevelandguy said:

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

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

Swingshiftworker said:

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.

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.

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.

Glad that you listened, and are taking action. 

Best 

h

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.

 

 

 

 

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.