Radiotherapy or not?

Hello Denis (Dennis (caa6f235393f49e78b6493e7405bb854)) 

A warm welcome to the group, although I am so sorry to find you joining us.

I had Radiotherapy to the prostate and pelvic lymph nodes in January 2023. It was simple, painless and to date I have not suffered any ill effects, If your oncologist and radiologist are saying "go for it" I think I would say yes.

There are risks with any medical intervention and as modern technology improves the risks are much reduced - for me I was aware of the benefits over possible after/side effects and thought the treatment worth any risk.

You can read my full journey (including the Radiotherapy) by clicking on my name or avatar.

We do have a Radiotherapy group on the Community and the link is here: 

 Radiotherapy & Side Effects forum 

You may also find this thread useful:

 What you wish you had known before starting Radiotherapy? 

Feel free to ask any questions, however trivial.

Best wishes - Brian.

Hello Dennis,

You don't say exactly where the radiation therapy will be aimed in your body. I shall tell you my experience  of Radiation Therapy (RT) solely on my prostate.  I consider myself to be somewhat lucky in that the hospital I went to for my RT had some of the latest hardware/software equipment around - this is called Surface Guidance RT. (Read up on it)

I had 20 sessions of RT plus the Planning appointment. It just could not have been better ! At the Planning appointment the dreaded enemas were never mentioned and I had no tattoos done. Incontinence was never mentioned. The actual treatment sessions were quick and easy. I checked in, 30 mins before my allocated time I was told to "start drinking": I emptied my bladder, then drank 500mls of water in the next 10 mins, around 20 mins later I had the treatment. No sensation whatsoever during the treatment and no noticeable side effects at all. I had a 90 mile round trip every day by train/bus and my big concern beforehand was having to self administer an enema whilst having to do this !! Then I found that enemas were not required anyway with SGRT !

To be super glib..........my RT was a non-event - apart from the brilliant staff !

1. Don't worry about RT.

2. Ask if SGRT is available in your area.  

3. My HT is far more troublesome that the RT ever was.

Hope that helps

Hello moonrakerz.

thanks for the reply. As far as I know the RT is planned for the prostate gland only.

i have never heard of SGRT?

Thanks millibob, all information is good and I appreciate it.

Hi Dennis 

Like all on this forum I have no medical knowledge, just almost three years experience of the PC journey.

I was 74 when diagnosed with PC although with a PSA level of only 10.3, I'll not go into detail here as you are welcome to read my journey in protracted detail by clicking on my avatar.

Radiotherapy, in my experience was a walk in the park, yes my body does remind me at times that it has had a radiation beam aimed at it. Not really in the form of being incontinent but there are some times of urgency!
The hormone therapy that I received (last jab fourteen months ago) is still evident in hot flushes, low testosterone and erectile dysfunction. In that respect I think I am suffering exceptionally long lasting side effects but still hoping these will disappear in the not too distant future.

My last PSA level was declared 'Undetectable', hopefully the next in the New Year will be the same.

Please take your time and do your research before making a decision on your future treatment direction. Which ever way you decide to go please keep in contact with the forum and rest assured that there will always be support here.

Rod

Hi, sorry you have to be here, but welcome.

You can see my "story" in my profile. Summary of relevant bits:

In 2021 at 72/73, I had the run-of-the-mill HT for 4 mths before and 2 years after EBRT. Gleeson 9 and psa start 18. Apart from bladder control (long before cancer diagnosis) all easy enough. I cycled every day of the 28 over which the 20 sessions were spread. What few side effects I had were RT and what HT related I know not. 

Urinary problems continued, but my Oncology man reckoned, from the tumour sites, not related to the cancer anyway! Hot flush stuff only a few minutes each evening. 

ED improved once HT stopped, but then over 75 and all that. We coped!

No real trouble in buying 4 extra years. Unfortunately returned a few months ago and now that significant spread to lymphs, but not bones, so back on HT plus the newer back up meds (darolutamide in my case). So far no disabling side effects  -  maybe a little more tiredness, not fatigue, (but that just as likely to be worsening COPD) and evening "warmth". 

Wish I could still have RT rather than HT for life.

Guess all you can do is decide and then stick with it rather than re-questioning. If you buy normal time for little grief and hassle at our ages then that is a win IMO.

Good luck, Dave.

Hi Dennis we are all different in the way that we react to treatment but having had 37 RT sessions to my prostate and surrounding area over 7 years ago and then subsequently 3 targeted ‘big’ sessions on my sternum I wouldn’t hesitate to have RT again.  I was left with some minor issues but not of any real consequence.  RT is now much more targeted than it ever was and this minimises the chances of collateral damage.

One other point about SGRT. I was refused RT by the first hospital I was referred to for my RT because I have two replacement hips. At the Planning appointment for SGRT my hips were never even mentioned ! I asked at my first treatment session what difficulties my hips might pose................"none whatsoever" was the reply.

Thanks Dave for the honest opinion. I am getting the picture that I should accept the RT treatment.

again thanks.

Thanks David, certainly has eased my mind somewhat, very useful