Re: Starting radiation, my experience

[Guest guest]

I had the ERT in 2000. I had 2 doses of Lupron (4

month shots) at the beginning and end of the 7 weeks

of ERT. Knowing what I know now I would not do that

again. I'd opt for watchful waiting. That of course

depends on your biopsy pathology report (s).

The actual radiation treatments are painless. You

just lie there while this huge machine goes in a

circular motion over you SUPPOSEDLY targeting the

tumor. Shields are put in place to prevent radiation

" splatter " onto the bladder, rectum, etc.

In my case I began frequent (every 15 minutes)

urination after only a few days of treatment. That

lasted throughout the 7 weeks ranging from having to

urinate every 15 minutes to an hour or two. They

obviously splattered the bladder. I have that problem

at times even now after 6 years.

The rectum is always a concern also. I understand

some people have a flatulence side-effect and the

radiologist told me the odor is bad. They are careful

not to fry the rectum.

I think those rads of radiation are having a gradual

damaging effect on my body. My PSA has fluctuated.

I had an MRI/MRSI at UCSF after PSA went to 2.9. It

showed a possible tumor in the prostate. I went to

M.D. where they did a biopsy and all 11 cores

were negative, PSA 0.5. I'm still having urinary

problems and take Detrol LA and Flomax.

Each radiologist follows his favorite protocol and

each year (hopefully) the radiation treatment

improves.

I was told, and should have heeded that advice, that

it's best to be done in a large learning hospital

versus a small local one. The machine may be

state-of-the-art but the radiologist and technicians

may not be. In hindsight I should have gone to M.D.

Cancer Center in Houston for a work-up,

biopsy and any treatment. They and Hopkins in

Baltimore are the best. The Seattle Prostate Clinic is

supposed to be good for radiation seeds.

We know now that Lupron was at times given

unnecessarily because of the kickbacks doctors were

getting. Greed gave them the financial motivation to

give that to patients in some cases. They settled that

in a well-known lawsuit. The side-effects of Lupron

kill libido and sexual function. Hormonal imbalance

may result.

Knowing that most all men develop PCa as they age and

most die of something else I'd now choose a close

monitoring or careful watching before jumping into

surgery or radiation. If anything I'd probably choose

the radiation seeds knowing what I know now.

Know your prostate volume. It enlargens as you age,

often dx as BPH. The larger the prostate volume the

higher the PSA. There is a formula to calculate

" normal " PSA for prostate volume. Any excess may be

PCa. PSA <4, altho VA now says <2.2 is usually

" normal " . A free PSA blood test is a second marker

they can use to double check this.

The majority of men have slow growing diploid tumors.

Your Gleason score helps you know the aggressiveness

of your PCa. A ploidy analysis can tell specifically

which of the three types of PCa tumors you have.

Your choice of treatments, and whether to have them or

not, depends largely on your age and health otherwise.

You have to weigh the quality of life you want versus

treatment side-effects.

Remember - doctors are businessmen selling their

products. A urologist makes his big bucks doing

prostate surgeries. It's like going to an auto

mechanic in some cases with a minor problem and he

sells you an engine overhaul.

Good luck with your radiation. Make sure it is well

focused and you are shielded from " splatter " .

Bob

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[Guest guest]

Thanks. I'm in very good hands at the University of california, San Francisco Medical Center.

I had the ERT in 2000. I had 2 doses of Lupron (4month shots) at the beginning and end of the 7 weeksof ERT. Knowing what I know now I would not do thatagain. I'd opt for watchful waiting. That of course

depends on your biopsy pathology report (s). The actual radiation treatments are painless. Youjust lie there while this huge machine goes in acircular motion over you SUPPOSEDLY targeting thetumor. Shields are put in place to prevent radiation

" splatter " onto the bladder, rectum, etc.In my case I began frequent (every 15 minutes)urination after only a few days of treatment. Thatlasted throughout the 7 weeks ranging from having to

urinate every 15 minutes to an hour or two. Theyobviously splattered the bladder. I have that problemat times even now after 6 years.The rectum is always a concern also. I understandsome people have a flatulence side-effect and the

radiologist told me the odor is bad. They are carefulnot to fry the rectum.I think those rads of radiation are having a gradualdamaging effect on my body. My PSA has fluctuated.I had an MRI/MRSI at UCSF after PSA went to 2.9. Itshowed a possible tumor in the prostate. I went toM.D. where they did a biopsy and all 11 coreswere negative, PSA 0.5. I'm still having urinaryproblems and take Detrol LA and Flomax.

Each radiologist follows his favorite protocol andeach year (hopefully) the radiation treatmentimproves. I was told, and should have heeded that advice, thatit's best to be done in a large learning hospital

versus a small local one. The machine may bestate-of-the-art but the radiologist and techniciansmay not be. In hindsight I should have gone to M.D. Cancer Center in Houston for a work-up,biopsy and any treatment. They and Hopkins in

Baltimore are the best. The Seattle Prostate Clinic issupposed to be good for radiation seeds.We know now that Lupron was at times givenunnecessarily because of the kickbacks doctors weregetting. Greed gave them the financial motivation to

give that to patients in some cases. They settled thatin a well-known lawsuit. The side-effects of Lupronkill libido and sexual function. Hormonal imbalancemay result.Knowing that most all men develop PCa as they age and

most die of something else I'd now choose a closemonitoring or careful watching before jumping intosurgery or radiation. If anything I'd probably choosethe radiation seeds knowing what I know now.Know your prostate volume. It enlargens as you age,

often dx as BPH. The larger the prostate volume thehigher the PSA. There is a formula to calculate " normal " PSA for prostate volume. Any excess may bePCa. PSA <4, altho VA now says <2.2 is usually

" normal " . A free PSA blood test is a second markerthey can use to double check this. The majority of men have slow growing diploid tumors.Your Gleason score helps you know the aggressiveness

of your PCa. A ploidy analysis can tell specificallywhich of the three types of PCa tumors you have.Your choice of treatments, and whether to have them ornot, depends largely on your age and health otherwise.

You have to weigh the quality of life you want versustreatment side-effects.Remember - doctors are businessmen selling theirproducts. A urologist makes his big bucks doingprostate surgeries. It's like going to an auto

mechanic in some cases with a minor problem and hesells you an engine overhaul. Good luck with your radiation. Make sure it is wellfocused and you are shielded from " splatter " . Bob

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