OK, had to chuckle at the beach references. During HT, I underwent breast radiation for moobs + extreme tenderness. RO said there might be some 'temporary sunburn-like redness' after treatment,...
One cannabinol trial listed at clinical trials.gov starting soon: info HERE ...
Unfortunately, not OT for some of us. I seemed to get hit harder than most from HT, many negative side effects still lingering 9+ mos off the juice, including moobs. During HT I under went breast...
Quick thanks to The Hosts-est With The Most-est, they do a wonderful job! If you are on the fence about spending time with this group of guys and gals, no worries, they will make you feel welcome...
I camped last year, no prob. I'll bring a couple extra tents, popup canopies and air mattress with me this year which you are welcome to use. I'll probably roll in Fri some time....
*bump* [in my best Terminator voice]...' I'll be baack! '...
Denis - so sorry to hear this today, you and your daughters will be in my prayers tonight. May Peace be with you....
Jackie, my best to Gil moving forward. FWIW, I opted for the same route of SBRT+ADT and so far no regret. Just returned home from Cleveland Clinic and I must say the early urinary and bowel bothers I...
May I presume this refers to distant metastasis and not locally advanced PCa? Thnx...
Denis - sorry to hear. Fortunately, I've never had an ulcer. At first I thought the stress of diagnosis may have contributed or caused your ulcer but a quick Google set me straight (quick copy 'n...
Yes certainly, different folks and different strokes when comparing experience between individuals. But I'm referring to the difference each individual may experience relative to each of their own...
Well medically castrate is what it is. But why then do some men say their hot flashes vary widely in intensity? Or why do some bouts of fatigue last longer than others? And there certainly doesn't...
I started ADT with 3wks of Casodex followed by a 7.5 mg depot 1-mo. Eligard injection. Seems to have worked as I just got a pre-SBRT baseline test with PSA and testosterone 0.54 and 9 ng/dL...
Happy B'day Denis. Lousy PCa present aside, as Steve Martin would say... 'you look Fabulous'! I do wish you the best while finalizing your decision. I think we are a lot alike in our emotional...
As one of those new guys, I would encourage others to make the effort to attend a GFMPH. You will find value in the candid one on one discussions, plenty of fun and jokes, and of course many new...
So here's a somewhat, kinda related question I posted to my MO (without an answer)... are the negative side effects of Eligard/Lupron or severity of ADT noticeably reduced in folks with low T vs...
Looks like another SpaceOAR data dump... From Imaging Technology News September 22, 2017 — Augmenix Inc. announced a preview of clinical data that will be presented at the 59th Annual Meeting of the...
Cleveland Clinic may use either fiducials or transperineal ultrasound for intrafraction motion management during SBRT depending on patient assessment. The latter sounds as if it would be much more...
TFR - I was at CC last Fri. and the valet service at Taussig was so backed up I used the B Lot garage. $10 but not that far of a walk over the skyway really....
I believe Cleveland Clinic does practice dose painting during SBRT treatment, but I don't yet know whether it is used for partial gland (ie. tumor targeted) rather than entire prostate. I agree the...
Very helpful post. I'm currently reading up on PTV and DVHs. Have you spoken to anyone employing dose distribution index (DDI) for prostate cancer Tx? Link>...
I would remain concerned for potential abuse of remote Smart Phone Control by a disgruntled former partner who had prior access to your wetware logins....
They did. My PCP mentioned feeling a 'small' nodule at Rt base during my annual physical but didn't make a big deal of it. He knew my PSA had jumped because of the new bloodwork and I got the...
Hi ddyss- Yes I know (and thanks TA for the links). Unfortunately, consults with my local URO, SO, MO and RO after the MRI have been unanimous regarding the results and upstaging. I've seen all the...
TA- From the ins co. perspective, I met the requirements for SBRT mono with cT2b. In the absence of the MRI results, I would have discussed a more aggressive BED than the standard for fav int risk...
Staged T3a post-MRI. Only Tx option for High Risk PCa approved by my health ins provider is LDR or HDR Brachy in conjunction w/ EBRT. MO wants 2yrs Eligard, RO says he is ok with 1-1.5yrs. -ugh-...
Good. Nowhere have I said otherwise. Enough already, end of discussion please. I do not think I was misinformed. Far from it, actually. The context of the discussion I referenced focused on SBRT...
@Works Out- I think the point TA was trying to make about Zelefsky is exactly what you say, that he does do HDR-BT but primarily for combo rather than mono therapies. That all does square with my...
@GDS- It would appear your PSA has the glide path of a brick, sure hope that continues! When you say "it does burn a bit" are you referring to achieving and/or maintaining an erection, ejaculation or...
Oh come now, no one is attempting to redefine any trial or risk definition therein. And no one is insisting that my characteristics are NOT considered favorable intermediate risk by definition in...
Thanks for posting your update Richard. I could probably search your old posts but curious where you did your SBRT, particularly if in NY and not at MSK....
Thanks Paxton, another great testimonial for SBRT monotherapy. I like SBRT on so many levels, but I am getting mixed signals for monotherapy as some restrict it's use focused to tumors contained in...
Sorry for the delay, had to attend to other biz. @ JNF - thank you for your comments, I continue to feel IMRT w/ HDR Brachy Boost is a good treatment option for efficacy and SE risks... but if I can...
WifeofPie- Super, you have been incredibly helpful thanks! From the link, I would say they are very considerate of dosimetric constraints for organs at risk. Very interesting how they explain it and...
TA- I still feel as if this is all somewhat of a guessing game, but that's what each of the surgical and radiation oncs are saying given the info they have now. Every one of them has suggested an...
WifeofPie- Thanks so much for typing out all that great information! Here are a few of my more detailed questions on the HDR-BT procedure, I realize we are getting down in the weeds here but perhaps...
Well, I opted not to send slides to Epstein as an upgrade would not likely have made a marked impact on the treatment options and too many errors would have had to been found in the original...
I find myself gravitating towards SBRT and HDR-BT, at least for now. Lots of 2+ y.o. info in the archives but I'm looking for more CURRENT OR RECENT treatment experience with: *SBRT - either as...
If I wish to consult with numerous Dr.s and Facilities, what are some good suggestions to cope with the logistical nightmare? Everyone requires your complete medical history, PCa Dx info, imaging...
Just an update.. I did speak at length with the onc dept and was told the Vero machine is in full swing, albeit not used for prostate Tx. PCa treatments is typically limited to IMRT delivered with...
Yikes! Thanks for the heads up, that doesn't sound good at all. Hear anything about the CyberKnife at Hematology-Oncology Associates of CNY?...
I like the Vero vs. CyberKnife modality. Has anyone utilized Upstate Cancer Center for Vero delivered SBRT? Or visited but subsequently decided against using the facility for some reason? I see a...
"non-invasive (well, relatively)" HA! Lost a little coffee thru my nose on that one. During our trip with anal cancer, we quickly realized there is a virtually endless supply of ass jokes. Some folks...
TA- I had read your piece when searching for info on SpaceOAR. I found it well written and very informative, as I do most all of your blog pieces (I've read the entire archive and printed several for...
-Bump- IdeaSave - I am seriously considering the same treatment, can you offer any additional insight... good or bad observatins, what you might change etc... since your last update? Thanks much....
@GFMPH Gents - I'm in the area and would like to meet up. Lotsa Q's and I went to the Us Too support meeting last night at the JCC only to find it canceled because of the SeaBlue walk next weekend....
gary- I believe those were the early results after 15 months. The 3-year results were were recently released and showed continued benefit for lower longer term toxicities as well. I'm not a shill for...
TA - I get that, and it is of interest to me too but I can't change the system single handedly. As far as my own personal point of view and pocket book is concerned, if I have paid for it one way or...
Well, I had my initial consult with a RO today and asked about it. I was curious to hear his response, in part because my reading (inc TA's Bolg synopsis, thanks), but also because Dr. Hong Zhang at...
That quote, your link explaining AJCC 8th Edition Prostate Cancer Staging Rules changes and a visit to the AJCC Web site cleared things up, thank you TA. I'm quickly finding the two cancers I'm...