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Proton Beam at M. D. Anderson - Anyone done it?

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Posted 3/10/2007 9:09 PM (GMT 0)
I have/had another thread going, having been diagnosed with prostate cancer and I have received a tremendous amount of good and helpful information from friendly people, which I greatly appreciate.

Therefore this is not an attempt to subvert the purposes of this splendid forum with a cross-post, but rather an attempt to get a new topic listed in case anyone has had any experience that might take note of this particular topic (and might not read the rather lengthy thread I have already had in the other post which covered a variety of aspects of the problem).

I have talked to two different local people on the phone who have been to M. D. Anderson in Houston; one has very positive comments, and the other very negative comments in relation to prostate cancer treatment there, but neither has actually had proton beam therapy there since Anderson implemented it.

My Question: Does anyone have any experience (either first or second hand) about the competence of the M. D. Anderson proton beam group (which has only been in operation since last May)?

The alternative is to go to Loma Linda (or apply there, at least) and that is an inconveniently long way away, relatively speaking, if I could get treatment there equivalent to what I could get at Loma Linda. But could I?

Thank you,

krt
Posted 3/11/2007 6:57 PM (GMT 0)
krt:

You might call the proton center at MD Anderson and ask if they can furnish you names of men who have completed treatment.  I know Loma Linda has such a list and they even have a list of wives who are willing to talk to the women.

Good luck,

Dutch

Posted 3/13/2007 5:43 PM (GMT 0)
Well, that sounds like the logical thing to do since there has been no response here . . . not sure what that means!

I would much prefer Loma Linda but the location and the fact that they tell me there is presently about a 6 - 7 week acceptance period before the initial visit concerns me. And I have got to get on with it, if I am going to do something.

Thanks for the suggestion,

krt
Posted 3/14/2007 2:42 AM (GMT 0)

krt:

If you want to go to Loma Linda and want to get in sooner and you can go without much notice, I would suggest telling them to put you on the cancellation list.  We have had 2 referrals who have been able to get in quite quickly by going this route.

If I had the option of going to any of the facilities now doing proton I would opt for Loma Linda because they have done 1,000's and have a track record.  Just my opinion.

Hope this helps.

Dutch

Posted 3/14/2007 3:59 AM (GMT 0)
KRT,

Perhaps the reson no one has much to say about MD Anderson is because they've only been doing the Proton for a short time. Protocols are most likey the same as Loma. I guess the question is...how experienced are MD's radiation oncologists and where did they train on Proton? I am betting Loma since Loma is the model for Proton therapy. Good Luck in whatever you choose.

swim
Posted 3/20/2007 4:36 PM (GMT 0)
Well, Loma Linda accepted me but unless they do have a cancellation (and it is my understanding that they have a bunch of people also on the list), my appointment will not be until MAY 3 - (6 weeks off from now) . . . Hope it is not fast growing . . . talk about nervous strain; guess I should have pursued Anderson with more vigor.

On another subject, I seem to have a prostate infection resulting from the biopsy. Levaquin is not working as far as I can see.

But this brings up another question; over the years my PSA has been highly variable, and it has occurred to me that since I have had prostate infections in the past for no known reason, I wonder just how much effect an existing infection might have on a PSA reading at the time? Wonder if that pushes it up? confused

Thanks,

krt
Posted 3/20/2007 5:39 PM (GMT 0)

Krt

Regarding the time you must wait to get an appointment, don't worry about it. Even you  get into Anderson or decided upon another treatment, it is quite likely that the wait time would be months, not weeks. It is highly unusual for this cancer to move that rapidly.

It took over seven Months between the time I first met with a urologist to my DaVinci surgery. Six weeks seems like a long time when we want an answer, but it is just a short blip. 

 As you have decided upon the proton therapy, developing patience would be a good thing.  The long concentrated treatment and the extended follow up testing all happen slowly and in a proscribed manner.

Good luck with your treatment

Posted 3/20/2007 7:13 PM (GMT 0)

krt:

Can't find your other thread.  You might want to put your stats at the bottom of your postings.

I think you will be very pleased that you waited for Loma Linda and think your wait probably won't be as long as 6 weeks.

I would think that an infection might effect a PSA reading, but am no expert on that.  Swim would do better answering that.

Try to relax for the next few weeks and best of luck.

Dutch

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