Side effects from EBRT after surgery

Folks:

I'm still trying to decide on initial treatment.

Can't seem to get a real good answer on the side effects of EBRT if surgery fails.

Common sense tells me it's going to be sortof a cumulative thing, and will be considerably worse.

But I've also heard that it basically freezes your surgery side effects in place. That is, if you have EBRT say two years after surgery whatever your side effects are after surgery EBRT basically stops you at that point.

Can anyone shed some light on this?

Also one complicating factor is that I have Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Diarrhea specifically.

I've heard wildly varying info on how strong the danger from EBRT is for making that worse.

Any info anyone has would be much appreciated.

I think it varies from person to person. I had some short term bowel issues, but nothing long term or cumulative. Urinary and sexual performance were not affected by the radiation, as far as I can tell, years later. Nothing creeping or cumulative. If anything, my ED, caused by surgery, has subsided a little.

It's clearly not risk free. You will find people here who have long term side effects--or who were outright injured by the radiation. But most of the time, side effects from external salvage radiation are temporary and mild.

You can probably minimize the odds of serious side effects by going to a center of excellence, although I just went to my local hospital.
Check out the Mayo study:
www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090928131212.htm
"'There is a general fear of this kind of radiation treatment on the part of some patients and their physicians, but this study shows that it not only effectively eradicates the recurrent cancer in a substantial number of patients, but that there are few serious side effects,' says the study's lead investigator, Jennifer Peterson, M.D., from the Department of Radiation Oncology at Mayo Clinic in Florida."

I can only speak to my own journey with Radiation following surgery.

I had surgery in September of 09 and began radiation in December 09 after three straight PSA tests showing rises to .67.

I was continent following my surgery, but of course had all of the non functioning ED effects. I experienced some urgency in about the 5th week, but never any bowel issues.

At about 18-24 months following radiation I began seeing improvements on the ED front and can now report that at 3+ years from surgery and radiation I am fully functional about 75-80% of the time. I don't appear to have any other issues following the radiation.

I am also one of the folks here that seems to have gained no real ground on minimizing my Pca as a result of either of the procedures. At last check my PSA was 36. I have been very involved with monitoring, scans, diagnostic clinical trials, etc. and at this point show no signs of mets or any life threatening issues.

Hope this helps,

Sonny