Posted on 10/24/2022 3:41:20 PM PDT by ConservativeMind
A new study confirms that men with high-risk prostate cancer can be treated with five versus eight weeks of radiation therapy. The phase III clinical trial is the first to confirm the safety and efficacy of a moderately shortened course of radiation exclusively for patients with high-risk disease.
"We asked, can we deliver radiation safely and effectively in less time so that our high-risk patients can finish their treatment faster?" said Dr. Niazi. "Hypofractionated treatment for prostate cancer decreases financial toxicity to patients, and it is completed in 25 days instead of the usual 38 to 40 days. That's three weeks of not having to come to the clinic—the transportation, parking costs, and just the time it takes away from a person's day-to-day life."
329 patients were randomized to receive either standard/conventionally fractionated prostate radiation (76 Gy in 38 daily sessions) or moderately hypofractionated radiation (68 Gy in 25 daily sessions). Patients had to have high-risk disease, indicated by a higher Gleason score (8-10), Stage T3a or higher, or PSA above 20, to be eligible for the study.
Seven years after completing radiation therapy, the men who received hypofractionated or standard treatment had similar rates of recurrence and survival. Comparing patients who received accelerated versus standard treatment, researchers found no differences in overall survival (81.7% vs. 82%, p=0.76), prostate cancer specific mortality (94.9% vs. 96.4%, p=0.61), biochemical recurrence (87.4% vs. 85.1%, p=0.69), distant metastatic recurrence (91.5% vs. 91.8%, p=0.76) or disease-free survival (86.5% vs. 83.4%, p=0.50).
Side effects were also similar between the treatment arms. There were no grade 4 toxicities in either arm, and there were no significant differences in severe short-term or long-term genitourinary (GU) and gastrointestinal (GI) toxicities. Dr. Niazi said the team was pleasantly surprised that side effects were not significantly more pronounced with accelerated treatment.
(Excerpt) Read more at medicalxpress.com ...
Fk radiation therapy. I went through so much pain for 3 weeks I almost blew my brains out. Another week and I would have. The cure is worse than the disease. But my PSA is under .05 now. So I’m doing all right. Still, I could never go through that again.
we may all soon be receiving radiation therapy for free
thanks to comrade xiden
I got 72 Gy over 39 days back in 2013. This was salvage after surgery did not achieve minimum PSA. It worked.
I went through the androgen, then external rad, then high rad 18 needles therapy. My worst memory was the biopsy to tell me I had prostate cancer. I’ve got a friend who had the removal surgery. About the same time span to get through it and the same on going issues. My recommendation is don’t get cancer. Unfortunately we don’t get to vote on it. Hope you continue to do ok. So far so good for me. I’ve seen friends and relatives go through chemo, rad, and surgery. Each had their own cross to bare. Good luck with yours. Regards
What’s going on with CyberKnife? I did it about 12 years ago, one of the first. Five treatments, little side effects. No issues since. The biopsy was the worst part. With the advent of very accurate narrow beam radiation I don’t understand clinging to what seems like old school blasting away for a month or so. No thanks.
A friend also had CyberKnife 12 years ago. His prostate cancer eradicated and his PSA is zero.
I was lucky enough to just have the radical prostatectomy and so far have not required further treatment.
My partner is currently undergoing radiation for prostate cancer with 21 PSA. I think they shortened his number of treatments. It was originally 40 days. Every day he takes the dozen or so vitamins/minerals/supplements I give him. He has not complained of much irritation down there. Mainly he has to go every 1.5 or 2 hours day and night, and feels some generalized fatigue. He had a PSA of 10 just before Covid hit, and did not do the next year’s annual physical becauuse he wanted to avoid Covid exposure. So when they did 16 biopsies with the 21 PSA, every one had a score of 2 or 3. THey decided to do anti-testosterone for 2 years and radiation rather than chemo or surgery. His total body scan did not show any metastesese. He is 78, so I hope we have 10 more good years with the promising news reported here.
my Intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) – Aims beams of varying strength to deliver stronger doses of radiation to certain parts of a tumor, reducing damage to healthy tissue around the tumor was painlss
There goes that “safe and effective” again.
I did the brachytherapy, twice. They inject radioactive pellets into your prostate. After the second procedure my urethra swelled up like a ballon and got incredibly painful. Going to the bathroom was literally like passing a kidney stone. I had to do it every 15 minutes because I could not empty my bladder. I couldn’t go for more than 15-20 seconds before the pain got so bad I would almost pass out. In fact I did pass out twice due to the pain. The second time I cracked my head on the wall so that after that my wife had to accompany my to the bathroom to grab me if I started to pass out. It was humiliating as well as unbearably painful. And I take pain pain well, I was an athlete and have broken multiple bones and always dealt with it. But nothing was ever close to this. I could never, ever go through that again.
It’s a tough row to hoe. Hope things are better now. I have a friend who went through chemo for colon cancer. He says never again. There just ain’t no easy way. Take care.
With a great surgeon, removing the prostate is an excellent option with no urinary nor ED problems. However, at his age, he has probably made the best decision.
I had not heard of CyberKnife.
I have a PSA of 19 and got an MRI a couple of weeks ago, but no biopsy yet. My urologist is at Baylor on Gaston in Dallas.
At 69 years of age, I’m not sure what is my best option.
So as a salvage recourse, it cured you?
Excellent!
A few options:
NanoKnife
https://vitusprostate.com/us/science/treatment/nanoknife/
Focused Ultrasound
https://www.fusfoundation.org/diseases-and-conditions/prostate-cancer/
I’d be taking 20 mg of boron and at least 30 mg of lycopene a day to curb any further growth and maybe bring down your PSA a bit.
You likely have prostate cancer, with that score, unfortunately. Please don’t delay getting checked.
All the options were considered before going with radiation—surgery, and chemo too. I did research on nutrition to help healing with prostate cancer and he is taking a number of targeted supplements. I think the vitamin C several times a day is helping keep him from much inflammation. Also Lycopene, Astaxantine, Boron, Vitamin D. In addition other supplements for heart and osteoporosis. He seems to be doing well and is in good cheer.
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