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Questions to ask Radiological Oncologist

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Posted 8/19/2014 12:50 AM (GMT 0)
Had RAPL on 11-12-13

1 Mo PSA .064
3 Mo PSA .074
9 Mo PSA .33

Recommending Six weeks of daily radiation treatments

Have two Dr's that I can go to

1). 20 minutes away
2). 1.5 hours away

What should I ask or need to know to make best decision?

Any advice will be much appreciated, thanks.
Posted 8/19/2014 1:16 AM (GMT 0)
How many salvage procedures have you done? How many primary treatment for PC?
The answer should be at least a couple of hundred.
Posted 8/19/2014 1:19 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks John Dr 1 is our local hospital Dr 2 is at a teaching hospital same place I had RALP
Posted 8/19/2014 1:41 AM (GMT 0)
Another question that comes to mind is..Where exactly do you target when the prostate is no longer there and what tells you that's the spot?
Posted 8/19/2014 2:03 AM (GMT 0)
What "hardware" will they be using?

Is all "hardware" up to date with current specs and upgrades?

Will you be having the same techs each time you are being zapped?

What alignment method does that particular facility use?

How often will you meet with the MO during the event?

Will you be required to have a full or nearly full bladder each time, and if so, how will they be assured that you do?

What happens if you can't hold it in for that long?

What happens if you have to miss a treatment session, i.e. sickness, etc?

What short term side effects should you be prepared for?

What long term effects could happen after completion?

What happens if you get nauseated, or if you start having burning rectal or penis problems?

How many gys. of radiation will be delivered, and how much per each session, and how many sessions?

What kind of follow up can you expect after completion, and will they "follow" you if you happen to have post-radiation issues?
Posted 8/19/2014 1:06 PM (GMT 0)
Do they use hormone therapy with the radiation? Some studies have shown it helps the effectiveness of the radiation. Some hospitals will do it and some it is not protocol. You may not want it but it is something I wish I understood further before my husband had radiation.
Posted 8/19/2014 3:10 PM (GMT 0)
In a similar vein, some recommend the use of Provenge during or just before radiation to leverage the so-called abscopal effect. Tall Allen is the one who clued me in to this, and I am half way there to qualifying for Provenge before my October radiation.

LupronJim
Posted 8/19/2014 4:10 PM (GMT 0)
"What are the odds of success--a cure? What are the odds that I will suffer effects of the radiation to no purpose, and have to move on to hormone and other treatments anyway?"

There seems to be a trend on HW questioning the use of SRT, period, given the low odds that it will produce a cure, and toward waiting for mets to appear, which apparently takes a number of years in most cases, then attacking them where they are known to be. I am most interested in all this, with an apparent recurrence of my cancer.
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