Radiotherapy

Hello Liz (johnam) 

I will have a go at answering your question - but I have been wrong before BUT my understanding is:

Radiotherapy is measured in "Grays"

The normal dose for Prostate Cancer is 360 Grays. I had that in 20 fractions (goes on the sunbed) at 18g a go.

As your OH is having intense RT he's having 360 Grays in 6 goes at 60g each go - that's why they are one a week.

That's my simple understanding, I am sure someone else "in the know" will correct me.

I hope I am right but time will tell. 

How's today gone then with his "walking" issue?

Best wishes - Brian

Hi Brian ,

many thanks for this information as I just didn’t know . So he is having a fair whack .

best wishes 

Liz & OH xx

Almost right Brian but you need to divide by 10 to get the conversion from cGy to Gy. The radiotherapy dose varies depending on the protocol. Liz, your OH is having the hypofractionated dose of 6x6 Gy which in his case is being given at weekly intervals but some men have it on alternate days. This has been shown to be as effective as the 20 dose protocol. There is a limit to how much radiotherapy you can have in an area but for the pelvic area this is usually in the order of 76Gy. My understanding is that by having the hypofractionated dose it is still giving you the option of further radiotherapy in the same area in the future. 4 + years ago my husband had a total of 74Gy in 33 doses which was composed of boosts to the lesions plus a smaller dose to the other parts of the pelvic area but recently had 5 x6Gy to the upper abdominal mets on alternate days. What protocol you are offered is often determined by the machine available and the health of the patient.

hi Liz (johnam ),  I think he will be having 36Gy in 6 sessions I.e. 6 Gy per treatment.  6 years ago I had 37 sessions of 2Gy so he is having quite a dose.  I am scheduled to have 40Gy in 3 sessions in January.  It appears the shorter the treatment the more they hit you with.  Happy New Year, David

Thank you so much . As I just didn’t have a scoobie about this .

Liz & OH xx 

Thank you . Have an amazing 2025 David 

Liz & OH xx

Thank you Alwayshope 

Alwayshope said:

Almost right Brian

I will be forever the apprentice nerd .

Everyday on the Community is a school day!!

Kind Regards - Brian.