Can Proton Beam Radiation Therapy be repeated???

[Guest guest]

Fred asked:

" I still wonder, like other forms of radiation therapy - is

it a one time treatment, never to be done again? That is what

one has with all the other radiation treatments.... "

My answer: (Verify with Radiation Oncologist at a Proton Center if you

need to.)

Proton Beam Radiation IS " External Beam Radiation, " and, like photons,

therefore it is not used again after Proton treatment. (It cannot be

repeated, to the best of my knowledge).

It CAN be used as salvage treatment. If RP fails it is a valid salvage

treatment. I know this for a fact because I knew three gentlemen at

Loma who were doing just that.

If proton therapy fails, and if the cancer is still confined to the

prostate, the patient can have salvage by internal radiation (seeds),

cryosurgery, HIFU, salvage radical prostatectomy, hormones or watchful

waiting. (Again verify with the medical specialist.)

If the cancer is not in the prostate (has escaped the capsule),and the

patient has had proton therapy, he is pretty much limited to hormones

or watchful waiting, depending on the extent, and the specialist..

Fuller

>

> Fred,

>

> The GOLD STANDARD is defined differently by those whose pockets will

> be lined or who are in line for a quid pro quo. Yes, I am a cynic, but

> a logical one.

>

> Each patient has to make up his own mind based on the facts of his

> case. How big is your prostate gland? What is your Gleason Score? What

> was your last PSA? What is your free PSA? And probably the most

> important is what is your Stage? What is your general health? What is

> your financial health? All of these play into the final decision of a

> modality or " active surveillance " .

>

> I am not a doctor, did not play one on TV nor did I not stay at a

> Holiday Inn Express recently. Therefore, take my following comments

> with a grain (or pound) of salt.

> 1. Check out www.Protonbob.com and www.yananow.net

> 2. As I understand it, photon/x-ray radiation is a one time shot

> whereas proton radiation may be repeated if the " cancer in the

> prostate " recurs

>

> There is a ton of information on the net and you need some patience

> and maybe some guidance to sift through it and make sense of it for

> your own condition.

>

> Phil W.

>