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varian vs. thomotherapy SRT

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Posted 6/21/2012 1:07 PM (GMT 0)
My hus band is about to start SRT.
Can anyone give me some insight into either of these radiation ma chines
Is one better, more precise,less side effects
We have 2 consults w/ RO and each has different equipment.

It sounds Like most of u doing the SRT are also doing HT?
Our uro/surg did not recommend it.

Any help would be apprecated
Posted 6/21/2012 1:29 PM (GMT 0)
I'm not sure about the different machine types, but HT is usually based on the condition of the Prostate or the Gleason Grade(in my case anyhow). What's your husband's bio?
Posted 6/21/2012 1:43 PM (GMT 0)
Hi LSil,

When researching my RT, I looked at studies of tomotherapy and varian technology. My RO had Varian, so I wanted to see if there was a difference. That was one year ago, but at that time it appeared that both technologies were doing the same thing in different ways, and were essentially equivalent. My varian RT incorporated a CT scan, allowing the technicians to daily verify organ placement, and make sure that my bladder was full and my bowel empty. They made tiny positioning adjustments every day based on the scan. Perhaps others will have additional input.

For high risk PCa, concurrent HT is pretty standard, and has been shown to result in somewhere around 15% greater survivability. I'm not sure about less aggressive varieties of prostate cancer.

Best wishes,
Nellie
Posted 6/21/2012 2:07 PM (GMT 0)
I had my treatment with the Varian system because that is what my RO and clinic used. I'd be more interested in the skill of the doctor and the technicians operating the equipment. Their skill is in my mind the real differentiating factor. Both machines do the same thing with some different features.

Andrew
Posted 6/21/2012 4:07 PM (GMT 0)
LSil:
my RO used Varian (which did NOT use daily CT scans, although i hear some do), but i don't hear anybody choosing the doctor/facility by the equipment brand--experience is a much more important parameter. also, both the RO and the Uro were, with my situation, in no hurry to start HT, so that's not at all unusual.
wishing you the Best in your journey
bob
Posted 6/21/2012 8:25 PM (GMT 0)

LSil said...

It sounds Like most of u doing the SRT are also doing HT?
Our uro/surg did not recommend it.

I had IMRT SRT of 64 gys over 32 treatments... HT was never suggested or an issue in my SRT, but my PCa was also only a Gleason 6...

pasayten
Posted 6/21/2012 10:20 PM (GMT 0)
As another poster wrote, I think the education, skill and experience of the RO and the technicians is the most important thing -- brain power means a lot when dealing with such fine tolerances. I had treatment in NY City at Sloan-Kettering, though lots of options were available to me here in upstate New York. I wanted to have treatment at a center with a rich and long experience in doing SRT and treating prostate cancer. Best wishes.

NewspaperLover
Posted 6/22/2012 12:46 AM (GMT 0)
In my opinion, I would never consider using a technologY that does not do a CT scan prior to each treatment. I hear too many stories of guys with damage to their rectum or bladder.

The Tomo Hi-Art is one Nadine that is a combination CT scanner, and radiation delivery system. After initial simulation runs, where they have the patient drink the required amount of water and follow the low fat, low fibre diet, they make the solution, which is a specific plan where the radiation is to be delivered.

Prior to each session, after aligning the patient with the tattoo markings up with the overhead lasers, so that the patient is aligned the same way every time, the machine does a CT scan. If the patients bladder is not full enough to keep it out of the way, or the rectum has too much stool or gas, the technician tries to correct the problem, or may even elect to abort the treatment. Drinking more fluids will correct the bladder situation, and a catheter can drain the gas, and maybe the patient can expel some stool.

The radiologist makes the final go/ no go decision at the center I go to. I find it all very comforting, and do not worry about having a technician frying me. I can't imagine the older technology which is just treating kind of blindly. If the rectum is full of gas or stool, it means that it is closer to the surface, and will get more radiation than is intended. Same with the bladder not being full enough.

Good luck to you. I agree that a good radiologist is important, but good machinery is very important as well.

Goodlife
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