(Web) Extra: Proton Beam Therapy (Part 6)

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I am currently undergoing treatment for prostate cancer with proton beam radiation.follow my progress at http://protondon.blogspot;com/

Donald Oberlin of MI 9:34PM January 08, 2009

I have lung cancer in the upper 30% of my left lung. It appears the cancer has not spread and might or might not be operable. Should I think about protn therapy if available?

Sid Ketchums of ID 10:02PM May 31, 2008

Proton therapy has tremendous result for some brain, eye and spinal cancers. These cancers are rare and would most likely not be able to support the investment required to build these facilities. With the successful treatment of prostate cancer these centers have a much greater chance of meeting the financial returns on the backs of the prostate patients. In my mind as a prostate patient it is an excellent use of leverage.
If you are interested I also have a blog http://panajar.blogspot.com/. Please feel free to link to it.

Peter Najar of CO 2:05PM April 25, 2008

Hi Adam:
Thanks for starting this dialogue!
There are many detractors of Proton Beam Therapy out there. Some have agendas, some are just unwilling to accept the fact that PBRT is a viable modality for treating cancer. What is very important to realize is that protons are used to treat many different cancers, not just protstate cancer. But it does work for prostate cancer, as I can testify, having completed my treatment at Loma Linda University Medical Center in March 2007.
PBRT is especially important in treating children with cancer because of the precise targetability and lack ot "scatter" that is inherent in photon radiation. Children have rapidly growing cells and protons permit attacking the tumor directly without damaging the nearby normal tissue as would be the case with standard radiation. For inoperable tumors, protons may be the ONLY viable option.
For prostate cancer it is the lack of side effects compared to the other tratment options that is the reason for the excitement. I was 73 when diagnosed, and following treatment I had ZERO side effects, not even the "to be expected" minor rectal bleeding. So it is "Quality of Life." both during and following treatment that will continue to be the REASON for many men to choose PBRT for treatment of their prostate cancer. No dollar value can be put on that experience!

Fuller Jones of FL 6:20AM April 19, 2008