Options on radiotherapy and the side effects

Many thanks for this. Very helpful to me to see the side effects and how you both coped.

HiClyde21 

My OH had full pelvic RT covering nodes and lower ribs as well. He had a “SpaceOar” you can pay for them privately at the Genesis care centers and other places It’s a gel that is injected between the prostate area and rectum - like a cushion of protection for the bowel. It dissolves after 3 months. He has mild IBS so was concerned for any damage because of the closeness of his PC to rectum. It’s a relatively new procedure, I think it’s in the process of being introduced in the NHS, but wasn’t available two years ago.

Anyway , he’s has had no problems as yet, two years on. He was knocked for six after 20 sessions of RT and could hardly walk at the end, because of the large area covered, but soon bounced back after a few weeks of taking it easy and healing time. - he was exhausted, but it’s hard to know how much HT played a part in that. I’m in no doubt that the “SpaceOar “ played a major part in saving his bowel from any damage as he’s has no problems or escalation of his usual IBS. He was 56 at the time. 
Hope that helps.

L

Many thanks for this. It looked a very intensive course of treatment. I will ask the question but I am thinking my Consultant is putting a lot of weight on my age (75) when looking at options.

Hi Clyde21,

My husband starts the standard radiotherapy on Tuesday. He has locally advanced prostate cancer that has spread to his bladder. His cancer is aggressive.

He too was offered a trial of 5 days radiotherapy on the prostate and nodes called PACE . We did loads of research and concluded that he would be better on the standard, tried and tested 20 sessions treatment . The results of the trial are not due for a couple of years ( I think) and I'm not sure how many men with aggressive cancer are part of the trial. With aggressive cancer my husband didn't want to take the risk of an unknown treatment. 

For my husband they are going to target the prostate, bladder and lymph nodes under the standard 20 sessions so he's not missing out on treatment. 

Good luck whatever you decide .

Thank you and all noted. Hope all goes well for you both.

It will be my 12th  radiotherapy session tomorrow,  as of yet only side effects are needing naps through out the day and not much energy.  Hope everyone is as lucky as myself