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Severity of late effects of 5xSABR for prostate cancer.

MartinP
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Good afternoon. 

I've just been offered SABR treatment (5 days) for prostate cancer. I was diagnosed Gl 3+3 when I had a TURP following 2 years of UTI's (13, then 12 months of prophylactic antibiotics). A second biopsy was 3+4 with only 10% pattern 4. The stage is T1 N0 M0, CPG 2. My psa was 1.2 after TURP, and typically had been around 3.6 with a peak of 5.4 during the UTI period. I'm 64 and otherwise in good health and fit and very active.

I've been offered treatment partly due to anxiety around the cancer spreading (I lost a close friend when this happened.).

But now, reading some of the potential permanent side effects of treatment I'm equally anxious! Is it possible to point me to information regarding the severity of these please? I already generally pass loose stools, and used to frequent trips to the loo when I had UTI's, but concerned that the possible side effects could be much worse and would ruin my current lifestyle which involves travel, running, cycling etc. If it's possible to have a bit of detail on how severe the permanent side effects can be it'd really help me to decide whether or not I should go ahead with the treatment. 

Many thanks. 

  • Hi MartinP

    Thanks for getting in touch and welcome to our online community. My name is Sherrye and I’m one of the Cancer Information Nurse Specialists on the Macmillan Support Line.

    I’m sorry to learn about your prostate cancer diagnosis but I’m glad to hear that your PSA is typically low and you’re otherwise in good health, fit and very active.

    When facing cancer and cancer treatment is natural to experience several different emotions including anxiety. It’s very understandable to worry about things like cancer spreading especially when you’ve lost a friend in this way, I’m sorry about this. It’s important to remember there is no right or wrong way to feel at this time.

    Making treatment decisions can be difficult at any stage of your cancer journey. It’s important that any decision you make is informed. Making an informed decision is done by collecting information about the options, having the opportunity to ask questions, and weighing up the risk’s vs the benefits to you as an individual. You are already doing this.

    When having stereotactic ablative radiotherapy (SABR) treatment for prostate cancer there are general side effects such as feeling tired, skin reactions and soreness and swelling to the treatment area, these side effects are usually temporary and resolved in time after the treatment is finished.

    There are also possible specific side effects dependant on the area being treated. For prostate cancer this can include needing to pass urine more often and loose bowel motions and as you mentioned, yes these side effects can be potentially long-term or permanent for some people.

    In regard to how severe these long-term effects can be is difficult to say as everyone is different. For some people this can resolve in time or be well managed with medication, for others the effects can be more severe and more intervention may be needed such as being referred to a specialist for treatment.

    It may be helpful to reach out to your clinical nurse specialist (CNS) and the radiotherapy team to discussed this further. We unfortunately don’t have access to any of the NHS system or anyone’s medical records so are unable to give you any specific or tailored information about what side effects you’re more likely to experience in your individual situation, but those directly involved in your care can.

    You also might find it helpful to reach out in the Prostate Cancer Forum in the Macmillan Online Community as there will be others who have had this treatment and can share their experiences.

    I hope this information helps. Please feel free to get back in touch if you want more information or support.

    Best wishes,

    Sherrye H,

    Cancer Information Nurse Specialist 

    You can also speak with the Macmillan Support Line team of experts. Phone free on 0808 808 0000 (7 days a week, 8am-8pm), send us an email or contact us through webchat.

    Ref SH/HeP

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