Need Actual Reports of Initial Radiation Side Effects
My husband was diagnosed with prostate cancer this week--PSA 3, Gleason 3 after a 14 sample biopsy. He is 77 and in decent health otherwise, no symptoms that can be traced to prostate cancer. I should add that a prostate MRI in February found nothing but a nodule was felt in October, hence the biopsy. He is scheduled for a PET scan in a few weeks and then likely will have radiation for up to 9 weeks, five days a week. I know that things have advanced in the 25 years since my father passed away from prostate cancer but I hate to see him have to contend with new urinary issues. He had a TURP seven years ago and things in that area improved. Can I hear of some reports from at least this part of treatment? He thinks things will be fine but I have seen the other side of this and must keep my thoughts to myself.
Hi. Your husband’s journey does not sound very different than mine, except he is older. I was 52 when I needed TURP and 68 when pc was found and treated with radiation. My radiation was a procedure called SBRT and was proceeded by injection placement of a SpaceOAR to protect my colon and rectum from the effects of radiation. The benefit of SBRT is fewer treatments with a higher dose of radiation. I only needed 5 sessions over 2 weeks. The SpaceOAR protected my organs from the effects of the high dose radiation. My only side effect so far (18 months later) was minor fatigue during the time of treatment. Almost sounds too easy!
If your husband’s oncology practice doesn’t offer SBRT, or a similar treatment called Proton therapy, he should seek out a cancer center that can at least discuss those options.Hi
. First, let me say that it is great that your husband has you advocating and seeking information on his behalf. Second, you mention a Gleason of three, but these scores are actually a two number combination (the primary and secondary finding) and total, such as 3+3=6 or 3=4=7. The scores go up to a maximum total of 10 and anything below 6 is not considered cancer (six is an interesting debate). I mention all this because the total can make a difference in treatment options. For example, a 6 can often have an option of active surveillance, as opposed to treatment (see here for more information: https://prostatecancer.net/treatment/active-surveillance).
It is good to hear that your husband is scheduled for a PET Scan and I assume it is a PSMA PET, which is the gold standard in spotting any cancer spread (see: https://prostatecancer.net/treatment/psma-targeted-pet-imaging). The outcome of this will also help determine treatment options.
Assuming no spread,offered a lot of good information. As you noted, there have been a lot of advances. This article gives an overview of the various types of radiation therapy: https://prostatecancer.net/treatment/radiation-therapy. Concerning the side effects, different types of therapy reduce to profile of some, but each person's issues can be different. My father-in-law had a combination of Cyberknife radiation and traditional radiation with few side effects, but others may have urinary and/or ED issues. As Mike55 said, getting a couple of opinions on treatment options can be helpful. Wishing you and your husband the best and please feel free to keep us posted and to ask additional questions. Richard (Team Member) Thanks so much for the reply. Yes, I did enter the Gleason score incorrectly. My apologies. It is down on the paperwork we were given as Primary GS: Gleason 4+3=7, Secondary GS Gleason 3+4=7 but also Gleason 3+3=6. I am as confident in his medical team as I guess I can be. He has had a number of prostate issues over the years and they have watched him closely. He was actually told twice (!) over the years that biopsy results were cancer but upon closer scrutiny these inconclusive results were deemed not to be so (after the samples being sent to Johns Hopkins for further examination) and, after those times, everything proved to be OK though the enlarged prostate caused grief so there was a Urolift and microwave procedures and medication until a TURP was finally performed.
At this point, I guess I have to hope that the PET Scan is clear (of course) and that radiation can be the method but I would really hate to see urinary issues arise because of that though I guess it would be foolish to think that there will be no side effects.
