prostate radiotherapy how do they "attack" it?

You will have a scan in preperation for RT. Prior to the scan they will want you to empty your bowels and fill your bladder.

Once they are satisfied with this they will do a small tattoo dot just below each hip and on your pubic line. They will use these to line you up at each session (using lasers). They will want you to empty the bowels and fill the bladder before each RT session, this is to minimise any side effects. They will discuss all this with you ie when to drink the water etc

You will go into the RT 'room' with the radiographers. Once on the bed you will be asked to drop your trousers and underwear so they can see the tattoos to line you up. They will put a paper towel over your privates to protect your modesty. Once lined up. The RT m/c will move around you zapping from five different positions above, below and sides of the pelvic area/prostate. It takes about 3-4 mins and is painless.

Once done you can go. You will probably need a wee to empty your bladder.

Some men do suffer with side effects but the oncologist will discuss this with you

All the best

Bri

Random scans are then done throughout RT to make sure the bowel and bladder situation is consistent. An enema is a small price to pay to avoid your bowel being zapped mate

Bri

The empty bowel/full bladder is required before each and every treatment. As Chilled says, not all hospitals recommend enemas. Mine recommended a laxative called magnesium hydroxide which is available over the counter from a pharmacist (I insisted on a prescription). It looks and tastes like Milk of Magnesia, but is much stronger. I found it all too effective at cleaning me out at the higher end of the recommended dosage and reduced dosage to a minimum.

I managed to arrange most of my treatment appointments for the same time each day which helped me get into a routine to manage the bowel/bladder regime. Things went well except when appointments ran late or were rescheduled. Unfortunately, this can happen quite often. Some people (didn't happen to me) have appointments cancelled which results in the treatment schedule being lengthened. I gave RT 100% prioirity and cleared my diary of everything else when necessary.

Many patients have side effects such as more frequent peeing and "urgency" as the medics call it when you're caught short. I always waited at the hospital for 10-20 mins after treatment to do an extra pee before driving home. This stood me in good stead for the 40 minute drive. I also sometimes had an "urgency" problem when lying on the treatment table. This I usually solved by "mind over matter", but on one or two occasions (literally) put up my hand to ask the radiographers to pause the treatments while I did a pee. If this happens don't worry: radiographers are well used to this. Some men who have bladder control problems end up being catherterised, which sorts the problem. Take a spare of underpants with you to deal with the consequences of any bladder problems.

I found that my urinary and bowel symptoms started about 2 - 3 weeks into the treatment and faded 2 -3 weeks after completion.

Oh, I should mention that a weekly blood test - full blood count and PSA - is normal during RT. This should give reassurance.

Hope all goes well!

Viv

I'm into my third week of rt and everything so far is going well. Someone has already suggested to take a spare pair of underpants with you. I've gone a little further...packed two pair, a towel and I also asked one of the radiologists if she could get me a couple of bottles for peeing in. If on my way home I do get caught short then I can pull into a layby and use a bottle with the towel over my lap...seemed to make sense.

Up to now, I've not needed to. Like others have said, always empty out after the rt is over and before setting off for home.

Best of luck

David

Edited by member 07 Jul 2014 at 22:27  | Reason: Not specified

Hi everyone I am new on here, seems such a good idea this site.  Solid practical advice from the contributors.

It may be Chris is now well into his treatment but here's some additional notes;

all I can add is that the motorised bench you lay on to be zapped is the hardest carbon fibre I've ever encountered.  I got 6 treatments over 6 weeks; some less sturdy folk get smaller doses every day for 6 weeks, quite a burden.  But the bench has a head pillow & foot braces so for ten minutes you can reasonably keep dead still, except for breathing of course.

I was enlisted into the "Stampede" clinical study, as a result I was chosen into group "H" to receive X-Ray treatment in addition to the hormones I was already on.

The operators are very kind and careful to line up your laser dots - which were established from a tunnel scan, you look like a 'crash test dummy'! - they heave you into position expertly.  In my case an operating gown was given to travel from the changing room to the X-Rayzapper.  The machines have nice restful names like "Laurel".  On the ceiling is a calming Nature picture, I found it helpful to study it so as not to move but don't shift your head to still see it when the electron head swivels over you.

I've kept a graph of PSA count since diagnosis last May (2013) and it plummeted from then due to the hormones, and again down a fraction after the X-Rays.  It stayed under the alert target of 4 for a time, but is now (June 2014) creeping up a fraction - this bounce after 18 months is not unusual.

It helps to keep notes of all the dates from the original diagnosis onwards - so many kind specialists I'd never recall the names and PSA scores otherwise.  Goes without saying, the best of luck.