Questions to ask the Oncologist

Thanks Steve.  No no real issues.  I think we felt bombarded with all the possible side effects and thought if any could be minimised we should look into it.  Of course we realize that many people get away without any of them, but it is a scarry thought.  

Hi zanderW, I was told I had an agressive cancer so needed the most agressive hormones to treat it, decapeptyl injection and Enzalutamide tablets.

I had 6 session of RT was not offered the space oar with no side effects.

All the best Ulls

I don't know about cone beams so will have to look that up myself.  It sounds like you have found one of those consultants who will only answer the questions he wants to and will not discuss any other.  Some are like that even if you consult privately with them.  You have to be proactive with this as Grundo says it is likely that this particular consultant doesn't use either space oar or fiducial markers.  Does your hubby have pre-existing conditions with his bladder or bowels?  If not then maybe it is something you needn't worry about unless the tumour is positioned close to either where there may be some collaterol damage from the radiation.  Also remember that your husband may not get all of the side effects mentioned and he may only get one or two and only get mild effects everyone is different.  The side effects from the radiotherapy usually kick in around about half way through treatment and, as I think I have said before I got one night when i got up to pee about 30 times but after that was fine.  Others in the same waiting room under different consultants so not having the same treatment as myself also had some bowel problems at this time but luckily I didn't which seemed unlikely at the start of treatment because the tumour was pushing out of the back of the capsule into the rectum.  The side effects can last for some time and there can be side effects which arise some time after the radiotherapy as obviously it keeps on working after the last session so there may well be a small inflamed area which will continue to cause problems for  a short while.  This can always be treated with medication until it heals.  Whatever side effects you get it is certainly better than the alternative.