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Radiotherapy in august

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User
Posted 03 Jun 2024 at 23:09

I’m due for radiotherapy in august Gleason 7 3+4 t3a m0 n0 any information on my upcoming treatment I would appreciate thank you 

User
Posted 08 Jun 2024 at 19:59

Paul, there does seem to be varying opinion amongst oncologists for the duration of HT. I think once you are diagnosed with the T3a/T3b staging Oncologists want to go belt and braces to ensure the HT kills any stray cancer cells that may have spread beyond the target area of the RT. I had a T3b diagnosis and the Oncologist proposed HT up to three years. The duration of the HT was one of the factors that pushed me towards deciding on the RP option.

User
Posted 04 Jun 2024 at 08:12

Hi Paul,

Quite similar staging to me except I was T3bN0M0. I had 20 sessions last year in April and in my opinion it’s nothing to worry about. Your Oncology team will keep you right on what you need to do. You will probably get gold marker seed implants and then a CT Planning scan and then daily (Monday to Friday) sessions which only last a few minutes. Try and get you sessions at the same time each day as it gets you into a routine. You may have to use an enema each day but it’s not as bad as it sounds, you’ll soon get use to it.

Some people get fatigued during RT but I didn’t….there’s the daily chore of going to hospital though and if it’s a long journey you might get a little tired. If you’re going by car,  buy yourself a pee bottle from Amazon and take it along with some wipes and a towel just in case you need to stop on the way home…you may find as treatment goes on you have an urgency to pee. You might find your bowels a little unpredictable during and after treatment but for me it didn’t last long. I did have a couple of accidents whilst out walking which is quite distressing at the time, so I bought some Tena pads to use whilst out walking .

I found the Radiographers so helpful and understanding and are very good at putting you at ease.

I would put your efforts into keeping as active and fit as possible before, during and after RT. This will help stem the muscle loss you will probably get whilst in HT.

Good luck with your treatment!

Derek

User
Posted 08 Jun 2024 at 20:53

Paul

I think it is because there is a risk that the cancer has spread beyond the prostate but has not been detected. The hormone therapy would keep it in check - I will ask when I have my follow-up appointment. I had a one month dose followed by a three month dose - my most recent injection was a six month dose and they are ordering another six month dose for November. I wonder if my PSA drops a lot, they might reduce the 3 year term?

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User
Posted 04 Jun 2024 at 08:12

Hi Paul,

Quite similar staging to me except I was T3bN0M0. I had 20 sessions last year in April and in my opinion it’s nothing to worry about. Your Oncology team will keep you right on what you need to do. You will probably get gold marker seed implants and then a CT Planning scan and then daily (Monday to Friday) sessions which only last a few minutes. Try and get you sessions at the same time each day as it gets you into a routine. You may have to use an enema each day but it’s not as bad as it sounds, you’ll soon get use to it.

Some people get fatigued during RT but I didn’t….there’s the daily chore of going to hospital though and if it’s a long journey you might get a little tired. If you’re going by car,  buy yourself a pee bottle from Amazon and take it along with some wipes and a towel just in case you need to stop on the way home…you may find as treatment goes on you have an urgency to pee. You might find your bowels a little unpredictable during and after treatment but for me it didn’t last long. I did have a couple of accidents whilst out walking which is quite distressing at the time, so I bought some Tena pads to use whilst out walking .

I found the Radiographers so helpful and understanding and are very good at putting you at ease.

I would put your efforts into keeping as active and fit as possible before, during and after RT. This will help stem the muscle loss you will probably get whilst in HT.

Good luck with your treatment!

Derek

User
Posted 04 Jun 2024 at 08:49

I had 37 sessions in 2022 Paul and you have nothing to worry about.

User
Posted 04 Jun 2024 at 08:56

If it helps you can follow my thread for a day by day account - heading off for session #10 at lunchtime.

This is salvage radiotherapy (33 sessions) with hormone therapy (6 months)

https://community.prostatecanceruk.org/posts/t30625-Salvage-RT-starts-here

User
Posted 04 Jun 2024 at 11:08
Hi Paul, do you know how many sessions you are having? I had 20 and also kept a diary you can view. Obviously it affects everyone in different ways but one thing I tried to do was avoid spicy foods and any drinks which may potentially irritate the bladder e.g lattes, fizzy drinks, particularly towards the end of the schedule. Also check to see they are running on time if you need fill the bladder prior to treatment... Nothing worse than trying to hang on if they are behind :). If you are only having a few sessions then it's a different ball game probably! Good luck. Nick.
User
Posted 08 Jun 2024 at 17:29

Dear Paul

I am also Gleason 3+4 PSA 12 and stage T3a; I finished 20 sessions of RT three days ago. I have been on ADT since February and may be on it for 3 years. MRI showed the PCa had reached/ just broached the edge of the capsule but no sign of lymph node spread. Bone scan clear (phew!)

I get hot flushes from the hormone treatment , particularly at night, but no other issues that bother me.

I took on a personal trainer to undergo strength/weight training during the hormone treatment to counteract the muscle loss that the treatment causes. This was excellent and I will start again soon now RT is over - I feel stronger and it's a psychological boost to be doing something positive. I've continued to walk and play golf throughout.

The Cheltenham Hospital RT Dept have been fantastic from the CT scan through the 20 RT sessions. I started to get side effects at half way - urgency and frequency to go to the loo (both), getting up about 5 times per night and a bit of mucus and blood from the rear. On telling the radiolotherapists, they advised giving up caffeine and alcohol - this made a big difference. The staff have been super-supportive and helpful.

The next appointment will be in about 6 weeks to see if the side-effects have improved and to check on the PSA - I haven't had another PSA since my initial diagnosis.

I think the side effects are diminishing and I hope to be back to normal in a few weeks. I do wear pads if I go out for more than an hour ( eg golf) but haven't had any major incidents.

Hope this helps - do contact me if you want to ask anything else because our scores are very similar.

 

 

 

 

 

 

User
Posted 08 Jun 2024 at 18:19

Hi Barry,when you say you may be on ht for 3 years is this because your psa would probably not come down thanks paul

User
Posted 08 Jun 2024 at 19:59

Paul, there does seem to be varying opinion amongst oncologists for the duration of HT. I think once you are diagnosed with the T3a/T3b staging Oncologists want to go belt and braces to ensure the HT kills any stray cancer cells that may have spread beyond the target area of the RT. I had a T3b diagnosis and the Oncologist proposed HT up to three years. The duration of the HT was one of the factors that pushed me towards deciding on the RP option.

User
Posted 08 Jun 2024 at 20:53

Paul

I think it is because there is a risk that the cancer has spread beyond the prostate but has not been detected. The hormone therapy would keep it in check - I will ask when I have my follow-up appointment. I had a one month dose followed by a three month dose - my most recent injection was a six month dose and they are ordering another six month dose for November. I wonder if my PSA drops a lot, they might reduce the 3 year term?

User
Posted 08 Jun 2024 at 21:52

Hi Paul,

I was suppose to be on HT for 3 years but my Onco was happy for me to stop after 2 years because the side effects were seriously affecting my QOL and my PSA had dropped to undetectable. The idea as I understand it that the combination of RT followed by a period if HT will mop up any micro mets that may not have been detected. There’s research going about that there is not much benefit of being on HT for more than 18 months. I think they tell you the worst case. You’re best to discuss this with your CNS if in doubt.

My advice would be to keep active and fit as much as possible before, during and after RT to prevent muscle loss, joint ache and weight gain, as it seems to be a cumulative effect the longer you are on HT. Go to the gym, go for walks, cycle, swimming. Resistance bands are also very good.

Good luck,

Derek

User
Posted 08 Jun 2024 at 22:03

Decho is correct about all this.

I have a home set of resistance bands, dumbells and have devised a couple of circuits based on what I do with the trainer. I do recommend some professional help to avoid injury etc. It's really important to keep active before, during and after RT.

Most of the fellow PCa patients I know have stopped the hormone therapy after a few months but with a T3a/T3b diagnosis they keep us on longer in case it has spread locally.

 
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