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The bolt from the blue which is advanced PCa... And beyond

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User

Posted 14 Nov 2019 at 20:03

Thanks Chris, will do.

Mrs MAS

User

Posted 14 Nov 2019 at 20:40

Originally Posted by: Online Community Member

I have a possibly stupid question. Regarding radiotherapy to the prostate, is it administered up the bottom?

Mrs MAS

No, it's external. You lie flat on your back on a table in the middle of a machine that looks like a large vertical donut. You start off by having a planning session in which three dots are tattooed on you - one on each thigh and one in the middle, over the public bone. These dots are used to exactly line you up on the table during your subsequent treatment sessions.

The radiation beam is delivered out of a tube that points at the appropriate area, and rotates around the table you're lying on. It goes around twice, first one way, and then the other. Lead plates inside the emitter are constantly moving to delivery a precisely shaped 3-dimensional radiation dose to exactly the parts that need it, with minimal exposure to any other part of the body.

It’s a very straightforward process, and you quickly get into the swing of it. I had 30 sessions, so treatment Monday to Friday for 6 weeks.

Best wishes,

Chris

Edited by member 14 Nov 2019 at 20:44 | Reason: Not specified

User

Posted 15 Nov 2019 at 07:16

Thanks Chris, thats very informative. I know everyone's different but are you able to still go to work/do normal things around it (apart from going to the hospital every day).

Mrs MAS

User

Posted 15 Nov 2019 at 08:31

You can certainly continue to lead a normal life, although the RT does eat up a large chunk of your day. In my case the hospital was 40 miles away, so I had an hour's drive to get there, about an hour and a half there, then an hour's drive home again. You have to arrive at the hospital about 45m prior to treatment, use a micro-enema to make sure the lower bowel is empty, and drink three cups of water to ensure the bladder is moderately full and lifted away from the prostate, to minimise radiation damage.

Best wishes,

Chris

User

Posted 15 Nov 2019 at 09:19

On the other hand, it may not be like that. John's appointment was first thing every morning, he went on the way to work and was usually there for about 15-20 minutes, except on Wednesdays when he also the oncologist. At our hospital, you don't do mini-enemas; it varies from area to area.

He worked throughout, still went to the gym every day and carried on playing rugby. Towards the end, he had an afternoon nap at his desk sometimes. The one thing you will definitely need to do is buy some PH neutral shower gel.

"Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards." Soren Kierkegaard

User

Posted 15 Nov 2019 at 10:32

Cheers Chris and Lyn. Dare I ask why the PH neutral shower gel?

Edited by member 15 Nov 2019 at 10:33 | Reason: Spelling

Mrs MAS

User

Posted 15 Nov 2019 at 11:56

At Royal Preston they only did the enemas for the first 5 visits. Bit of a waste of time for me, they never worked.

The other thing at Royal Preston they offered all RT patients discounted parking at £2.50 a day but I gave up after 3 days because I couldn't find a space and ended up parking in the street on the other side of the A6 for free.

Edited by member 15 Nov 2019 at 11:58 | Reason: typo

User

Posted 15 Nov 2019 at 12:10

Originally Posted by: Online Community Member

Cheers Chris and Lyn. Dare I ask why the PH neutral shower gel?

I didn't use it myself, but RT can make the skin around the treated area sore (like sunburn), so a harsh shower gel may irritate it.

Chris

User

Posted 15 Nov 2019 at 12:30

Just a little curiosity to do with radiation. One of my tattoos which they use to guide the machine was on my hip where I had a patch of psoriasis (I've had this complaint for many years). The radiotherapy almost completely cleared it up. Even 3 and a half years on there is only a tiny patch whereas before it was the size of a tennis ball.

Not really relevant but a welcome side effect!

User

Posted 15 Nov 2019 at 13:36

Hi Pete

A positive side effect from anything to do with this is good to hear!

Mrs MAS

User

Posted 15 Nov 2019 at 13:39

John, thanks for the A6 parking tip. Its awful any time of day at RPH.

Mrs MAS

User

Posted 15 Nov 2019 at 21:05

Originally Posted by: Online Community Member

Cheers Chris and Lyn. Dare I ask why the PH neutral shower gel?

I didn't use it myself, but RT can make the skin around the treated area sore (like sunburn), so a harsh shower gel may irritate it.

Chris

It was an absolute rule in the RT department when J had RT. The info leaflet said a) perfumed soaps and gels could irritate sore skin and b) some of the shower gels contain metallics and plastics which could impede the carefully planned radio beams from arriving exactly where they are supposed to.

Baby wash or pure shower gels are easily available in all supermarkets.

"Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards." Soren Kierkegaard

User

Posted 15 Nov 2019 at 21:08

https://www.clatterbridgecc.nhs.uk/patients/treatment-and-support/radiotherapy/treatment/skin-care

"Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards." Soren Kierkegaard

User

Posted 15 Nov 2019 at 21:15

Interesting - nobody at Clatterbridge mentioned it to me. Fortunately I never use shower gel, just unscented soap.

Chris

User

Posted 25 Nov 2019 at 09:47

We have an appointment with our oncologist on Friday prior to my husbands last chemo. I know he will have a scan in January.

I am going to ask about the criteria for their decision on radiotherapy. Thanks for the information you all have already given me . Is there anything specific we should be asking the oncologist do you think?

Mrs MAS

User

Posted 29 Nov 2019 at 14:25

Just an update from todays appointment. My husband has his final chemo next Tuesday. They were pleased he has done quite well on it. He will be sent for a scan in January. He will have a PSA prior to a three month appointment in February.

Depending on what the scan shows he may have prostate or pelvic radiotherapy and if so it will be 37 sessions.

It sounds like pelvic radiotherapy is a much wider area than just the prostate? I did query that I'd read that RT was pointless if there is spread to the lymph nodes (as in my husbands case includes some distant ones). The registrar just said we will wait to see what the scan shows.

It feels alien to me to have no control of what will happen and when but I guess this is our life now.

Thanks to all who have shared their advice on here.

Mrs MAS

Edited by member 29 Nov 2019 at 14:36 | Reason: Spelling

Mrs MAS

User

Posted 27 Dec 2019 at 13:55

Hi everyone, hope you made the most of your Christmasses.

Having today received a copy of the clinic letter, has anyone heard of being re-staged?

Quick story, my husband was diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer in July with spread to lymph nodes. T3a, N1, M1a and Gleason 8. He started hormone therapy in July, had upfront chemo, last cycle was 3 Dec. He has coped very well and feels well now. We were told he would have a CT scan in new year and be considered for pelvic radiotherapy.

The clinic letter we just got says he will be re-staged with the upcoming scan. Has anyone heard of this? I thought once you were staged that never changes. Also as it is advanced the scan results are presumably only ever going to be the same or worse?

Sorry if I'm asking a really stupid question.

Mrs MAS

Edited by member 27 Dec 2019 at 14:06 | Reason: Pressed post too soon.

Mrs MAS

User

Posted 27 Dec 2019 at 14:25

It is common after RP as the biopsy gives a more accurate view.

I suspect in this case the CT scan will give more information so will allow a restaging.

Bear in mind it can go up, down or remain unchanged.

User

Posted 27 Dec 2019 at 14:30

Thank you, however as he was advanced he was incurable so only had HT and chemo - no RP. Hence I'm very unsure what they mean by re-staging.

Regards

Mrs MAS

Edited by member 27 Dec 2019 at 14:30 | Reason: Not specified

Mrs MAS

User

Posted 27 Dec 2019 at 15:21

In that case it is I guess just finding out what activity is where so they can explore options.

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