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Radio interview about Proton Beam Therapy

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Posted 2/4/2009 8:02 PM (GMT 0)
Here is a link about Proton Beam Therapy. It's a radio interview.
 After all the talk here about ED and incontinence I can't believe that in their research people wouldn't include Proton Therapy as a cure.

http://growingbolder.com/media/health/cancer/bob-marckini-200401.html

Posted 2/5/2009 10:45 PM (GMT 0)
After seeing all the responses I got I guess this topic is right up there with the Aeron Chair.

I was Dx Jan. 9th. I went on a research binge and came to the conclusion that Proton Therapy was the best option. The problem with it, is that it takes nine weeks, and their are so many people that want it that it will be the first of June before I start the therapy.

From all that I see it is a better choice than surgery. The cure rate is better, and with a 99% with no after effects.

Is there anyone here that has had Proton Therapy the first time without it being a salvage? And am I right on my facts?
Posted 2/6/2009 1:10 AM (GMT 0)
hello there jack ,im glad you decided on a treatment option ,and it is probably the best one for you ,and we wish you all the luck and good health afterward ,while it is true proton is a great treatment and is very popular aswell ,i would have to argue the point it has a BETTER cure rate ,even the guys at llmc arent saying that , it is an excellent treatment option for older men who cant fare surgery (and have the luxury of staying away from home for 9 weeks),however when all is said and done i guess you can HOPE they got it all ,whereas surgery is difinitve ,you have a path report when done and KNOW where you stand.remember you only have to miss the tumor by 1/1000 th and guess what you still have cancer,im merely arguing the cure rate ,not whether it is effective or not, im 44 y.o. i have a resonable life expectancy ahead of me ,and if the surgery didnt get it all  is still have the radiotherapy option,, best wishes and happy healing my brother were all in this together,,,,,,,,,,,,,dirt

Posted 2/6/2009 5:15 PM (GMT 0)
Dirt....Thanks for the reply, your right, we are in this together. I see you went to the City Of Hope. If I were to chose surgery that is where I would have picked. You are right....I am retired and can afford the luxury of being away from home for the two and a half Months.

A quote from a former Proton patient....."It is often stated that cure rates from proton therapy are comparable to those from surgery. But that is only true when you compare results from the best urological surgeons and it does not take into account post surgical complications. Just having general surgery is accompanied by many well-documented side effects and even death...and these and other side effects, and required treatments are not included in the statistics. When you look at impotence, incontinence, etc., proton therapy is so much better. There simply is no comparison."
Posted 2/6/2009 5:33 PM (GMT 0)

On one of the radiation forums there is a lot of talk about bone damage to the pelvic area from proton treatments and quite a few lawsuits. You may want to do a little more research on this topic.

JohnT

Posted 2/6/2009 11:52 PM (GMT 0)
John T.....I looked and couldn't find what you are talking about. Please point me to the forums that talk about bone damage to the pelvic area and lawsuits from Proton Therapy.

Jack
Posted 2/6/2009 11:59 PM (GMT 0)

John T not saying your statement is BS but would you care to provide a link to the forum you are referring to? Save us all some Google time.

You do understand how protons work and deliver the dose of radiation to the prostate? It would be very difficult for any significant radiation to be misplaced in the pelvic bones while delivering protons, though I am seeing some info lately about neutron scatter from the materials used for modulating the proton beam.

SmilinJack just keep on doing what you are doing. I live in WA state, am not retired yet left home for 2 1/2 months, paid all living expenses out of my own pocket, had a great time, met people that I am still in contact with a year and a half after starting treatment and it worked for me as PSA continues to drop. If you need to talk to someone about the experience click on my email button under my name and drop me a line with a name and number. I'll call you at your convienence.

Dirtmover the field is large enough that there is little chance of missing much less by 1000th of an inch. The treatment planning wouldn't allow for that kind of error.

Posted 2/7/2009 3:39 AM (GMT 0)
Well I have spent a couple of hours on the web searching the terms proton, proton therapy, pelvic, lawsuit, pelvic bone, proton radiation, etc. etc. and in multiple combinations and there are ZERO hits on anything resembling any lawsuits in regards to what John T has mentioned above. Unless a link to the specific forum discussion is provided I would consider it hearsay and not really a valid comment or criticism of Protons.

Are you sure the discussion isn't about PHOTON radiation?

Why would someone come into a topic and post something like that without some kind of corroborating evidence?
Posted 2/7/2009 7:11 AM (GMT 0)

smilinjack said...
After seeing all the responses I got I guess this topic is right up there with the Aeron Chair.

What's wrong with my Aeron chair post? They are fabulous chairs and IMHO required for sitting post-op.
Posted 2/8/2009 5:36 AM (GMT 0)
wasnt saying it didnt work jay or wouldnt work ,i researched proton as well, you never mentioned anything about if the cancer returns,,,,or if the biopsy pre treatment was 6 but in reality it was a 7 or better ,,reality meaning proof in your hand i.e. path report i think smilin jack is on the right track if he feels this is his treatment option then it probably is the best for him (not disputing that) im a show me kind of guy not a maybe kind, no need to argue get the proton jack and dont look back ,,the actual odds of death are something like 1 in 60.000 continence 98% at 12 months and ed 78% in 12 months  with surgery those arent bad odds, i go to a support group once a month ALL older radiation guys and 3 proton im the only surgery guy it is true the radiation  kills the cancer ,,,,,then the prostate,,,,,then everything connected to it i.e. nervebundles  you just get impotent later which isnt in all cases  but i know a few radiotherapy guys i wish you only the best im glad your going to llumc they are the best at what they do period......dirt scool
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