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Guinea pig for the cause

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Posted 9/14/2013 3:42 AM (GMT 0)
Today I was a Guinea pig for the cause. I had my fiducial markers placed by a Interventional Radiologist, the technique used was MRI guided through the right butt cheek. The reason for this technique is to lower the side effects. Supposedly by doing this there is a lower chance of infection compared to doing it trans-rectal and less swelling and pain compared to trans-perinea.
I have been home since 7:00 pm and have no pain, no blood in urine, no side effects at this point. This was done under general anesthesia and the way it was explained to me was: MRI then partially insert needles, repeat MRI and further insertion of needles until correct spot is attained then markers are injected.
I could have declined to have them placed this way and had them placed when I do my HDR next week but I figured why not, since Sloan is a teaching and research hospital I might as well participate.
Posted 9/14/2013 3:44 AM (GMT 0)
good luck Steven.  are you doing straight brachy?

ed

Posted 9/14/2013 3:46 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks Ed, I'm doing two fractions of HDR next Thursday then 3 or 4 weeks after doing 5 weeks of IGRT.
Posted 9/14/2013 3:54 AM (GMT 0)
smart man.  our numbers are similar but I had 12-12 positive.  were both side of your prostate affected?  what was your highest percentage core?

ed

Posted 9/14/2013 4:01 AM (GMT 0)
Yep both sides but mostly on right side, only one of the positive cores had a 4 at 20%. But had an endo rectal MRI and the RO was a bit concerned with the findings.

"EXTRACAPSULAR EXTENSION: Broad capsular contact within the right base to
mid gland suspicious for minimal extra capsular extension near the
neurovascular bundle."
Posted 9/14/2013 5:39 AM (GMT 0)
That's an interesting approach. Never heard of doing this way. Was this part of a study they're doing?

Hope the treatment goes well.

hang in there,
Andrew
Posted 9/14/2013 12:02 PM (GMT 0)
I like reading about the pioneers and guinea pig concept, the status quo is not exactly total perfection as far as we can see. Best to your results hereafter.
Posted 9/14/2013 4:03 PM (GMT 0)

InTheShop said...
That's an interesting approach. Never heard of doing this way. Was this part of a study they're doing?

Hope the treatment goes well.

hang in there,
Andrew

Yes, they are doing a study to do it the way I described as a way to minimize side effects and also to put markers in harder to reach areas of the prostate, also the radiologist explained that there is a channel from the right upper butt cheek near the crack that gives a straight shot to the prostate without touching any other organ or structure of any importance. I may not have gotten all the details right but thats the gist of it.
Posted 9/14/2013 4:11 PM (GMT 0)
That was my treatment as well, HDR followed by five weeks of IMRT (as well as HT). I had the markers put in during my HDR--not that I realized it at the time.

FYI, I'm now six months out and everything is more or less back to normal. I have a bit more urgency when peeing, but all very acceptable. Good luck and thanks for being the guinea pig!
Posted 9/14/2013 4:59 PM (GMT 0)
Steven, It's good to know that in addition to them looking for new PC treatments, they continue to advance the methods used for existing treatments, in hopes of reducing SE's! Very interesting approach, I would never had thought such an alternate path could have existed; now that's thinking outside to butt....

Thanks for being willing to “take one” for the advancement of PC treatment, and good luck next week!
Posted 9/14/2013 5:01 PM (GMT 0)
i'll be keeping an eye on your posts but it sounds like your doctors are on the ball and I believe you'll do very well cool .

ed

 

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