salvage radiation doses

Think mine was 70-72 gys but not sure if that is the typical amount.

Michael

I'm currently in week 20+- out of 33 sessions. 66 Gy.

If I can read his handwriting from the other day....:

rads

1 Gray = 100 rads

1c gy = 1 rad

200CGy/ X 33

6600 cGy

_________
= 66 Gy.

As to my experience to date,

No pain, short time from in to out, everyone helpful and nice, respectful.

I did notice some slight soreness in the rectal area the other day, but that has subsided - while that could be expected, i'm note sure if it is absolutely related - it may be because of slight change in bowel movements, and an increased urge to pee.

I understand that each of these are/were potential results.. I am told the urgency may very well go away - again - as time passes.

While even those few minutes of hearing the rad shoot into you are disturbing to the mind, there is also the feeling that you are doing it for the right reason.. that killing the bad guys is worth injuring some of your own soldiers, who are better capable of healing than the cancer cells.

One thing that has been mentioned to me matter of factly is, come with your bladder full. They simply didn't mention it to me until 2-3 sessions in, and then as an aside. I guess it helps drop your bladder down via the gravity, keeping it further away from the rad.

The mentioned again yesterday "they DID tell you to fill your bladder?"..

If that is important, it should be treated accordingly by the ead onc team, I think. It should be mandatory discussion AND there should be a fountain in the waiting room.

Sorry if I went off base in replying here.

Good luck and thought to ALL.

 

Had IMRT finised in Sept. 2010

38 dailey 180 cGy total of 6840 cGy

Was told bladder must be full & bowel must be empty before starting

Had to drink 16oz of water 1/2 hour before starting. Used benefiber & it worked quite well. No real side effects have shown up so far. Docter and Therapists were great. PSA down to 0.02 6 weeks after. go back again in May.

Mine was 72 gys over 39 sessions, IMRT

I'll be doing #8 0f 33 later today. 66Gy total. I had a PSA test last week and the bad news came back yesterday 0.30 up from .18 in Nov 10. We meet tomorrow to discuss what this might mean and what we're to do.

Larry

I am having #10 today - 1.8/day for 40 days (treatments) for 72 Gy total

Dave

I asked my Dr., after my treatment today, how his team came up with my total dose of 72. He feels that it is the maximum dose with no more side effects than 66 and in his opinion and various data bases the more the better. I looked at the IMRT dose programming and they shifted the area slightly to reduce exposure to the rectum and bladder (from the original proposed pattern). They did this programming and shifting with 6 CT scans, 1 MRI with and without contrast in the urethra and bladder, and 7 treatment machine CT scans. They continue to modify the dose pattern if necessary with treatment machine CT scan between treatments. The do keep the 7 dose angles constant - after initially confirming with the treatment machine x rays when in position for each of the 7 angles. The are just shifting the IMRT pattern by adjusting the lead leaves in the head - it seems they are doing about 4 patterns per angle.

They want an empty bladder and rectum for all treatments - they feel it is the most constant. They did put me on a low residue diet and Milk of Magnesia to keep the system purging. I have been taking Metamucil which seems to do the trick along with an occasional 1/2 dose of Milk of Mag.

So far minimal side effects.

Dave

I dont get it?

I've noted in posts that they wanted me to have a full bladder, draws it down, away from trouble - type thing. And I was noting they should have made a bigger deal about that, if indeed that is what I should be doing. So I try and fill my bladder each time... i've only got Wed/Thu/Fri left!!!

Yet others say they were told "They want an empty bladder and rectum for all treatments - they feel it is the most constant.".

Is there a standard medical position on the ideal state of the bladder during salvage radiation treatment?

I recieved 32 treatments of 2 gys each for a total of 64 gys... Worked like a charm with no long lasting side effects...