External Beam Therapy

Great news you've finished the RT, appointment in 6 months is good news also.

Where I had my RT they recommended aqueous cream for any soreness

Best wishes,

Arthur

Thank you all for your best wishes.

Arthur you mention the aqueous cream, I did buy a tube but the radiotherapy nurses told me it is not on their recommend list any longer. Due to a irritant ingredient ???

Colin

I experienced some slight soreness during some of the time when I had my RT. I was prescribed Bepanthen ointment which is a very mild baby ointment mainly used for nappy rash. I was told to use it sparingly and dab it on using some tissue paper - worked for me.

Hi Colin
I bet your glad its finished, great result with the PSA down , my first check had come down to 0.30 just had second after 6 months and down again to 0.13. The R/T is OK I found the tiredness was the worst and the sore behind they gave me Proctosedyl Ointment which worked fine, you will soon be back to normal I'm sure.
All the best

Alan

KEEP POSITIVE and CARRY ON

Hi Colin
Yes I was but only for 6 months, Zoladex implants I still get the hots but not as bad now. After I had my 2nd PSA check last December I think I'm a bit more relaxed for the first time in 18 months , so much so, I'm a retired plumber and am thinking of fitting a new bathroom suite at home so I must be better or mad at my age (73).
My Oncologist & specialist nurses are great and very reassuring which helps a lot , so I'm going for it .
I've found everybody on this site very helpful and understanding and you need reassurance from people who understand.

KEEP POSITIVE and CARRY
Cheers
Alan

On the EBRT theme, I had opted for HDR Brachytherapy with a top of 15 sessions of EBRT 2 weeks after the brachy. 6 months HT (bicalutamide) before and after.

Anyway, I had googled my oncologist at Clatterbridge some time ago and she was a leading light in a trial reducing EBRT to 20 sessions but with more sophisticated targeting. In short it deliver much higher doses to the actual tumor than to the rest of the prostate. I raised it at my appointment today and I was told that the trial had ended but that the consultant would consider me for the 20 session treatment outside of the trial. It wouldn't affect the speed of the process as the HT would be required in any event.

Tempted I must admit as it cuts out the brachy (and a night in hospital) and is by definition a bit less invasive although they do have to place markers in the prostate but this can be done as a day procedure.

I have another meeting with her in February. Apparently high level meetings will have taken place by then with the possibility of rolling it out more generally.

I also read the article in the Mail. I would have preferred the 20 sessions instead of the 37. I'm sure this will soon be the norm for EBRT. Must be quite a saving for the NHS not to mention the patients cost of travelling. Would cut my mileage from nearly 4000 miles to 2200 miles.

Still no complaints

Colin

I don't think the trial was targeted at younger men but the highest doses were only given to men who were younger and/or particularly fit to begin with. I guess the thinking was that they would best cope with any increased risk of fatigue etc. but we are talking three or four years ago for John now so things have probably moved on a lot.