My Proton Beam Treatment update

KenW

Regular Member

Joined : Mar 2007

Posts : 74

Posted 12/7/2007 6:32 PM (GMT -6)

It's almost 2 years since I finished my Proton Beam Treatment at Loma Linda. Side effects have been almost nil. Only problem has been urgency. My new urologist "Scoped" my urethra and found I've been peeing through a Very Small Hole which is cause by scar tissue. I believe it was caused by a change in my "Beam" about 2/3rds though the treatment. Technician thought there was a suspicious spot where the urethra leave the prostate and the beam was adjusted to include that area. Looks like that is the area that scarred. I'm having a simple procedure to "slice" the scar tissue in about 4 places to remove the blockage. Hopefully that will take care of the problem. Just when I have all the restrooms in N. Calif. Memorized:)

The good news is my PSA has gone down again to 1.14

Diagnosed with a Gleason 4X3. Second opinion at Stanford came back as 3X4, 1 out of 7 samples, Left Side. DRE showed Normal. Before Biopsy Psa gradually crept to 10. Dropped to 6.4 with Alt. suppliments.
Proton Beam Therapy at Loma Linda 11-06. 1st PSA 4 Months 3.4, PSA at 8 Mo. 1.7. - 1 Yr. PSA 1.8 ( Different Lab ) 4 th PSA Slightly up at 2.19- Free PSA at .33 probably due to BPH. 1 year and 11 mo. Urologist discovered Scar Tissue in the uretha causing frequent urination with burning. Bladder not emptying completely.
Scheduled ( 12/17/07 ) to have the scar tissue sliced to open up the restriction. Good news is PSA is down to 1.14.

Post Edited (KenW) : 12/7/2007 4:31:35 PM (GMT-7)

KenW

Regular Member

Joined : Mar 2007

Posts : 74

Posted 12/9/2007 8:28 PM (GMT -6)

I'll post after the treatment as to how it goes. I've heard that some proceedures create scar tissue again. This technique is supposed to lessen the likelyhood of that as its just cutting slices from the outer wall inward creating flaps as I understand it. I will have a catheter for a few days.

Ken

KenW

Regular Member

Joined : Mar 2007

Posts : 74

Posted 12/22/2007 9:47 PM (GMT -6)

Well, the urethrotmoy was done on the Monday 17th. Doc told my wife that everything went well and was as suspected. Scar tissue was obstructing the urine flow. I wore a foley Catheter until Wed Midday. Removed it myself as per instruction. First urination I didn't make it to the bathroom. It's Saturday now, stream is close to normal and control is much better. Still have to go often, but the pain is gone. I have a follow up appointment on new Year eve. Will post again after I see the Doc.

Post Edited (KenW) : 12/22/2007 7:50:01 PM (GMT-7)

Tony Crispino

Veteran Member

Joined : Dec 2006

Posts : 8128

Posted 12/22/2007 9:57 PM (GMT -6)

Hi Ken,
Good luck on your followup. Sorry to hear this minor set back. As is the case with all radiation therapies, there is always a risk for these things. I was fortunate that after surgery the IMRT was not too bad, yet, with the side effects.. I wish a very happy holidays, and a happy new year as well.

Age 45 (44 when Dx)

Pre-op PSA was 19.8

Surgery on Feb 16, 2007

Post-Op Pathology was poor: Gleason 4+3=7, 4 positive margins, Stage pT3b (Stage III)

HT began in May, '07 with Lupron and Casodex 50mg

IMRT radiation for 38 Treatments ending August 3, '07

My PSA did drop out after surgery to undetectable. It has not returned and I will continue HT until January '08.

My Life is supported very well by family and friends like you all.

Visit my journey at:

http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/tonycrispino

STAY POSITIVE!

KenW

Regular Member

Joined : Mar 2007

Posts : 74

Posted 12/22/2007 11:15 PM (GMT -6)

Hi TC-LasVegas,

We're all going to be good. It just takes time. Thanks for the kind words.

Have a Great Christmas and a Happy New Year. I'll be spending Xmas with my 3 daughters.

Urethrotomy performed. Flow much improved. No more burning.

pcdave

Regular Member

Joined : Oct 2006

Posts : 444

Posted 12/28/2007 12:28 PM (GMT -6)

Hi Ken

What a wonderful informative post! Hope the recovery goes well. It is just great how nicely your PSA has gone down. I was interested in reading your PSA progress and noting that you had a slight bump up along the way, which I am told in quite normal. Good luck and all best wishes for a healthy happy New Year!

Dave

P.S. I noted in your footnote a reference to free PSA. My radiation oncologist told me that after radiation treatment for PCa, free PSA is meaningless. I was a little concerned because my free PSA has been going down below 25 since treatment (before treatment a high free PSA of over 25 is the desired target). Apparently, the labs continue to measure free PSA after radiation treatment unless one's urologist indicates that it is not necessary.

-69 years young!

-29 core biopsy 9/27/06 at age 68

-PSA 7.1, Stage T1c, Gleason 7 (3+4) [less than 20% in one area], Gleason 6 [less than 5% in two other areas], Negative DRE, bone scan and Endorectal MRI.

-Completed 39 Proton radiation treatments 2/22/07-4/18/07.

-PSA History: 7.1 pre-treatment; post treatment: 2.1 (3 mo.), 2.4 (6 mo.). Radiation oncologist said the 3-mo. drop of 70% exceeded expectations and the slight 6-mo. movement upwards is not a

cause for concern.

-The following is a link to My Journey With Prostate Cancer -- Proton Radiation Therapy. http://www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=35&m=726381

Post Edited (pcdave) : 12/28/2007 10:39:30 AM (GMT-7)

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