Treatment Options & Location

Dear Miles574253,

My name is Liz, and I’m one of the cancer information nurse specialists on the Macmillan support line.

Thank you for reaching out for information about surface guided radiotherapy (SGRT) after your husband’s diagnosis of prostate cancer.

SGRT is available is a number of centres throughout the country. And many of the newer LINAC machines offer SGRT.  I would suggest that during your husband’s appointment with his oncologist, to discuss treatment options, he asks if there is an option for SGRT in his local radiotherapy centre and ask any questions about the benefits and any disadvantages of this method of patient setup and monitoring during radiotherapy.

If your husband decides that he would like to be referred to a centre with SGRT, he can ask his oncologist or GP to refer him for a second opinion.

Patients don’t have a legal right to a second opinion, but doctors rarely refuse to arrange one for them.

There are advantages and disadvantages with getting a second opinion, for example

• It can allow your husband to access a centre that provides a specific treatment option such as SGRT, that you are both interested in exploring.
• However, waiting for a second opinion may mean that his treatment is delayed. The doctor your husband sees for a second opinion will also need to get information from the referring doctor, which can take time. It may be worth asking your husband’s current consultant if a delay in treatment could cause any risk to him.

Perhaps you would like to phone us on 0808 808 0000 or email us so we support you further.

Take care.  

Liz 

Cancer Information Nurse Specialist  

Ref LZD/DK