Proton Beam Therapy, an Option Against Prostate Cancer
Reader Comments
Prostate proton treatment
Why u don't mention about side effects. Will the the prostate die as in seed implant?, What happens to prostate after treatment?, Since only cancer sells are distroyed, will new cancer grow again?, Will the prostate remain inflamated having to recurre to saw palmeto and others? What about if cancer has spread?.
According to may doctor's information Chemotherapy is good for nothing and external radiation therapy has bad side effects why are they used in conjuction with proton treatment?.
I believe that these are the questions patiens need to know.
Since Loma Linda performs other prostate treatments, I believe you must have a record of which of these treatments is considered best.
I shall appreciate if you be so kind to provide this information. Yours truly,
Cesar Salazar
Proton Beam Therapy
My husband was diagnosed with prostate cancer in Dec. of 2006. After consultations with doctors in Tampa and at Boston Mass., we flew out to CA for one more consultation on proton beam therapy with Dr. Carl Rossi. He completed his treatment in June of 2007. His PSA was fine until this past June. Turns out the cancer was never gone, the proton beam hit his pubic bone and fractured it and his bladder is now showing signs of being burned. He tried on several occassions to talk to Dr. Rossi with no avail. My husband was just wanted to know if this had ever happened to anyone else, and if so; what course of action did they take. He could never get anyone to call him back. He has since had robotic surgery and is taking Lupron injections.
Men that are diagnosed with prostate cancer face a very difficult decision as far as the treatment goes. Each specialist recomnmends whatever they are trained in and the patient is faced with trying to make the best decision on their own. Proto beam therapy makes a lot of promises and I'm sure it has cured alot of men, but in our case we would never recomnmend it to anyone after the problems my husband has incurred and the fact that after Loma Linda has treated you, they pretty much wash their hands of you and your medical problems!
Is proton treatment as good as it sounds for prostate cancer?
I have recently been diagnosed with prostate cancer-Gleason score of 7. I am ammazed at all the positve and (lack of negative) e-mails about proton treatment for prostate cancer on Adam Voiland's article "On Men". I have not seen anything similair for other treatment options. A few people mention --no significant side effect--What does that mean? The data I have see reflects a 30% impotence issue with proton treatment. Why is that not reflected in the blogs on this article. Are the comments a good cross section of all the prostate cancer proton treated patients or are they a orchestrated response from the Brothers of the Balloon organization? Obviously I have to pick a treatment option and I am confused about the effectiveness of the proton treatment and the corresponding side effects. Are the results as positive as the comments make it sound? Any imputs?
Prostate Cancer
What can I do take the surgery or go with the Proton Therapy,
what is the better option. My Doctor would like to do surgery
I would like to stay away from the surgery and take the Proton Therapy. What would you recommend.
Prostate Cancer
since being told I had Prostate Cancer in July, I have done exhaustive research on this type of Cancer. I looked into every concievable treatment available and decided on PROTON BEAM THERAPY at MGH. I came to this conclusion after speaking to many many patients that had different types of treatment.
Each of us has different stages of the cancer and other considerations. I am lucky in the fact that I am in very early stages and my numbers are all low but I start my therapy this month. Watchful waiting was not worth the risk for me.
I can say as a patient it is very frustrating getting clear and accurate information. Each doctor has an opinion and they are also business men. I learned you must take on the process by being very agreesive about collecting the information and be wary of advice from unqualified sources. The internet is a good resource but as long as it is from creditable sources.
I shall follow up after I have completed treatment.
Proton therapy
I have just completed treatment (Aug '08) for prostate cancer at the Florida proton center in Jacksonville. I was all set to have surgery and have my prostate removed.
But then I learned about this type of treatment from my uncle, who went through the Proton program last year at Loma Linda in California. He is 82 now, and doing quite well. After considering all the options carefully for a couple of months, I decided Proton treatment was best for me.
I had 41 treatments with no side effects or problems. The whole experience was fun and easy. The doctors and staff there in Florida do such a great job! I would recommend anyone with prostate cancer, or other isolated tumor, to consider Proton therapy.
Proton therapy coming to Michigan!
I just came across this post and wanted to provide information for those of us living in northern cities.
The University of Michigan Health System and five other Michigan health systems are collaborating to bring proton beam therapy to the state of Michigan. With the top health systems in Michigan working together, the consortium will provide more opportunity for advancments in cancer research and help efficiently and effectively serve everyone in Michigan who needs it.
Hopefully this will soon provide convenience for treatment seekers near Michigan.
my sister have a heart problem
dear sir,
i am from Gambia . my sister is suffering from heard problem and i want you to help me a good hospital or find me the best hospital. but i think that the side which am writing is a hospital web side so i want you to tell me how can i come with my sister to your hospital in u.s so that you can treat my sister better.
please i am looking forward you soon.
Assan sowe
From Gambia,
west Africa.
Proton Beam and surgery
I have just been diagnosed with prostate cancer and am seriously considering proton beam therapy over the other options I've been given.
MY QUESTION: If I do PBT now and the cancer reoccurs, does that limit my options for the next course of action? Or, vice versa...if I should do surgery now and have a later reoccurrence, will I not be able to have PBT at that time.
Does anyone have any information about this?
Thank you.
There is more than one treatment center for Protons
To all,
I to have PCa - Gleason score of 7, PSA of 6.3 and awaiting treatment.
Although Loma Linda has the most experience they are not the only provider of proton treatment. If you are feeling urgency to find a solution to your PCa you really ought to consider the other proton centers around the country. Even if it means traveling away from home.
In my search I have visited MD Anderson Proton Center and the University of Florida Proton facility in Jacksonville. Both are state of the art facilities and worthy of consideration. I have not visited all of the others so I can't speak to how they show. I can tell you any of the ones I have visited were able to take me in reasonably short time, in a few of months. They have very capable doctors, physicist, technicians and wonderful support staff.
Once I realized I had a choice I really agonized making a decision which center to go to. Even though there are some differences in the application of the proton treatment I quickly became convinced all would provide the same successful treatment.
I will start treatment in March. The medical decision was a draw. In the end it came to a decision based on convenience - driving to the treatment location closest to my home in Colorado.
It is wonderful having the time to do the research and the choice for treatment locations! I wish you all luck in finding your treatment and staying cancer free.
