Risk of RT getting scattered by metal

I was just reflecting on what has been done to me and how, when remembered something that used to happen as they were preparing me on the table for each of my 33 sessions of RT.

After I had been lined up with the lasers one of the nurses/technicians would always bend down and look under the table to check that none of its metal components were in the way of where the beam was going to fire. On one occasion there was something in the way and I had to slide along the table a few inches to be realigned.

Clearly if the beam hits a metal bar or similar it is going to get scattered all around healthy tissue instead of going to the target area. Did/does any similar kind of check get done for others who had or are having any of the various types of external beam radiation therapy? It is of course possible that there are all sorts of different designs/shapes of tables in use, so it may not be relevant for all of us. (I seem to remember them telling me that the newest designs did not have much if any metal in these places, so I guess the strength would come from the use of carbon fiber or similar materials.)

Alf

This follows the logic heard years ago on radiation methods, Dr. Dattoli vs. Radio Therapy Clinics of Georgia (aka RCOG). Dattoli does IMRT radiation first then brachy seed implants and RCOG did brachy seeds first and then IMRT radiation. The arguement presented by Dattoli was that a synergistic effect of the IMRT beams hitting the brachy seed implant could have a scatter or negative type effect or be less than ideal (per se).

This is why Dattoli does IMRT first and then brachy seeds thereafter, atleast this was the buzz and talk on that back in 2002-2004 area, when I remember hearing that. RCOG is like a franchise thing with various locations in Georgia, probably a useful choice among the many we have. Myself have more kudos to say for Dr. Dattoli in comparison.

Not that there is ever any controversies in PCa treatments, drugs, protocols (LOL)

Mal,

I suspect that some bowel damage is inevitable with RT. In cases like mine, where I had already experienced colo-rectal issues and related surgery, they had huge red warning flags, and mention of them in all my files. But, there are significant side effects still now, 16 months later.

I wonder exactly how precise they can be. It the technology was perfect, the machine would not be in a lead-lined bunker.

For someone who never had a bowel problem in their life, I could expect great results, since a little damage for a system in good condition may be recoverable. Someone like me, busted and bloody before starting, odds are good that something will be aggravated.