Radiation Therapy: Long Term & Short Term Side Effects

Donate to PCRI: pcri.org/donate/
For more information, visit pcri.org
0:34 Do different forms of radiation therapy have different side effects?
2:50 What are the short term side effects of radiation treatment?
3:30 How does radiation therapy cause later-occurring side effects in the prostate?
6:41 What is the definition of a "center of excellence?"
8:29 Are sexual side effects from radiation therapy usually long-term?
9:12 How often does radiation therapy, given at a center of excellence, cause side effects?
10:51 How common are long-term side effects from radiation therapy in a community setting?
12:08 Are these barrier gels optional?
13:19 How soon do burns to the rectal wall manifest after radiation treatment?
13:57 How often is radiation therapy used with radiation treatment?
17:54 Alex's conclusions
19:13 If you need more help
Don't know your stage? Take the quiz: visit www.prostatecan...
To learn more about prostate cancer, visit www.pcri.org
Sign up for our newsletter here to receive the latest updates on prostate cancer and the PCRI: pcri.org/join
Who we are:
The Prostate Cancer Research Institute (PCRI) is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization that is dedicated to helping you research your treatment options. We understand that you have many questions, and we can help you find the answers that are specific to your case. All of our resources are designed by a multidisciplinary team of advocates and expert physicians for patients. We believe that by educating yourself about the disease, you will have more productive interactions with your medical professionals and receive better-individualized care. Feel free to explore our website at pcri.org or contact our free helpline with any questions that you have at pcri.org/helpline. Our Federal Tax ID # is 95-4617875 and qualifies for maximum charitable gift deductions by individual donors.

[@io3010]

56-year-old Air Force Veteran here. Diagnosed with Gleason 4+3=7 contained and PSA 13.5 last year. With the help of PCRI I chose radiation. I had EBRT and LDR Brachytherapy in Minneapolis, no Space Oar was offered. My Urologist and Oncologist (thank you Minneapolis VA!) both agreed I could choose radiation or surgery. I'm glad I went the route of radiation, had some need for Flomax during the radiation treatments, felt a bit tired, frequent bathroom trips, but now a year later, feeling great! PSA dropped to 2.5, Viagra took care of the ED, no longer need the Flomax, I missed virtually zero days of work. Still ride motorcycles, snowmobiles, bicycles and play with my 5 grandchildren. Life is good. Hoping for a long future with my wife into retirement, nothing is guaranteed but thanks to the Minneapolis VA Oncology dept and huge thanks for what you do Dr. Scholz and PCRI!!

[@charlesgair8608]

1st

[@PatWalsh-l8y]

Thank you for posting this. I’m just beginning the process of testing to find out why my psa is high and I am worried about being out of work for a extended time besides if I have the big C and if it has spread

[@peterfraser8075]

Thank you for posting your experience - appreciate your thoughts. God bless, from Australia 🇦🇺

[@scoot77777]

Thanks for sharing your positive experience! 20 yr Air Force Vet Desert Storm Thank you for your service 🫡🇺🇸

[@dbunce10]

Did you have hormone therapy?

[@alanaldpal950]

Just recently finished 20 sessions/days (technically 40 doses) of Proton beam therapy at Loma Linda in SoCal to treat a Gleason 7 (4+3) prostate cancer. Treating doctor was not going to do space-oar, but I insisted on it (and my insurance covered it). Glad I did, but for me it was much more painful than the biopsy, which I did not think was a big deal. Also had a PSMA-PET scan prior to deciding on treatment. 2 months after Tx and I have had literally no side effects other than having to pee a bit more often, but No Incontinence and100% urinary control. Interesting as well is that the radiation doctor was fine with me foregoing any hormone or ADT therapy despite the Proton therapy being my first line of treatment. Having to do ADT/hormone therapy as well was a big concern for me and I may have chosen surgery, but the doctor never pushed at all when I said I prefer not to do that. Time will tell (61 years old now). Another interesting option that I don’t think I fully pursued or researched was doing a combination of proton beam therapy and High dose Brachytherapy (no seeds left implanted). One of the most frustrating things for me in dealing with Prostate CA, is trying to research and choose between SO MANY OPTIONS on treatments, with little or no definitive results or odds for outcomes. I watched huge amounts of KZbin videos and found the comment in many videos to be as useful or even more useful than the video itself. Good luck all

[@ricknowak4582]

Man I agree with you 100% bro! I'm doing the same thing. I think the comments are as good or better than the videos! And I agree also that there are so many treatments out there and seems to me that none work eventually. It's something always happens and you never stop treatments. Continually you will be tested and given multiple choices. Mainly medications which I do not believe in either. Like you I am thinking about ... Proton therapy for my prostate problem but I'm planning on refusing all treatment also. Cuz I've been doing research and a many studies say that lowering testosterone is worse! Thoughts anyone.

[@DeathSentryCoH]

Any ED?

[@alanaldpal950]

@@DeathSentryCoH Zero issues with ED for me so far, although supposedly with radiation, ED issues could develop at some point in the future. Appear to have the same amount/consistency of ejaculate afterwards which is a benefit compare to the “dry” climax associated with having surgery. Had no incontinence issues after proton therapy other than having a “constricted flow” for a few weeks afterwards and had to pee a bit more often than before

[@DeathSentryCoH]

@@alanaldpal950 Ah you're right, i understand if it is going to happen, it will be some time after the treatment. Great that you still have ejaculate though..whew. Keep us posted!

[@mudkatmark]

My Prostate Cancer was discovered when I was 56. Gleason score was 8. I opted to have my prostate removed. Pathology found that I had positive margins. Seven months later I had my first of 40 radiation treatments, 5 days a week for 8 weeks. Four years later I started having a lot of blood in my urine. I had to go to the emergency room twice due to tissue damage in my bladder breaking down and blocking my urethra. Two years later, my instances of bloody urine is not nearly as frequent though I do have times when it looks like pure blood. I was told that the radiation is what caused the bladder damage. I’m still happy with having the prostate removed and going through the radiation. It beats the alternative. Unfortunately, I’m still getting up 5-7 times a night to pee. Oh well, I guess I don’t need that much sleep anyway 😂😂😂.

[@ricknowak4582]

Hey there I get up 5:00 or 6 times to pee at night also! I am 70 years old and have prostate cancer. I am thinking about proton therapy but I understand that it might make my peeing at night worse! Question. Do you pee that many times a night BEFORE The radiation? Or just after. Thank you..

[@user-zx8wt2xy5i]

In by the

[@indrar1213]

Mam - you are so accurately asking detailed questions to doctor is worth praising. Your video is full of medical information. Thanks for bringing such videos for people who are suffering from such diseases

[@frankgeorge7951]

You guys are awesome. I was all ready for surgery in 2020, at age 62. After consultation with three doctors, I settled on HDR Bracytherpy. Best decision . I got my sex life back, and I don't need any erectile meds! 66, and doing great . Thanks ❤

[@TERRY-cb2ku]

Awsome, you are the exception my friend. Happy for you.

[@zinger55731]

I did the same, HDR Brachytherapy, 7 months later couldn't be happier with the results.

[@frankgeorge7951]

Lifestyle change is very important, healthy diet and regular exercise. On my journey, I lost 50 lbs . Best wishes to all.

[@timothyfay1209]

I have metastatic prostate cancer, the cancer in the prostate was causing urinary issues, where I was getting up 5 times a night to urinate even with medication to help. Now after completion of SBRT a month ago, my urinary symptoms have improved, now only have to get up 2 times per night to urinate.

[@gulshani8331]

How many years u surviveing

[@timothyfay1209]

@@gulshani8331 Diagnosed with metastatic cancer in June 23, started hormone deprivation therapy in July 23, radiation treatment done in April24, so it's only been one year.

[@jamesgovan6914]

​

[@timothyfay1209]

@@gulshani8331 One year since diagnosis.

[@gulshani8331]

@@timothyfay1209 are u feeling good ? what treatment are u taking?now

[@clintcarter]

Sounds like the doc is just getting over a cold. Had to double check the video while listening to see if it was actually him. Still comes out to give us the goods. What a trooper!

[@clintcarter]

@@bkreed27 Souper!

[@jaktao6044]

What a team! Always incredible information in an arena of mass confusion! You guys are the best - hands down!

[@lonesomelenny7606]

I had 45 rounds of proton radiation 2012 over a 3 month period at Loma Linda University Hospital. I'm told my PSA is in the normal range and I get tested several times a year. Dry ejaculate but I take Tadalil that not only helps with erections but also helps urinating.. 75 years old and life is pretty good.

[@salmana4239]

Didn’t realize tidafil can help in better urination. Could you pls advise a bit more

[@cobia224...]

Thank you for the video !!! After watching I had IMRT from Apr 24 to June 24 and did have the listed short term side effects (which were NOT that bad) they all went away 30 days after the end of treatment. Your videos were very helpful and I watched many of them before deciding...

[@chrissimpson3762]

Interesting. I have suffered from Proctitis for two years. It has been quite unpleasant, and suffered significant and frequent losses of blood, such that I collapsed due to the loss of iron. Have had two visits to oncology, but with limited effect. Happy to report that the incidences are reducing, but have recently had two days of repeated heavy bleeding and mucus. From listening to your comments, it would seem that suitable precautions were not made in the radiation sessions, and that I should not have had to go through these extensive unfortunate symptoms, including the panic quitting of the golf course and the need to find conveniences at short notice. I would welcome your comments or am I among the few to have to go through this. Chris Simpson.

[@valleus]

I have suffered the same Chris. its very unpleasant. I bleed often and sometimes the flare ups are really bad causing me to stay closer to home because I want to be near the bathroom and making it hard to go anywhere.. my doctors have given me no solutions other than keeping me in the hospital when the flareups are bad to make sure I don't become anemic and then let me go home.

[@peterwbryce]

You are not alone Chris. I also have proctitis that comes and goes. Urinary urgency most of the time when I exert myself. But I have resolved to live with it. 😊

[@NobodyNobody-hx6wh]

I haven't started radiation therapy yet, but had my initial meeting with a Radiation Oncologist and he discussed some of the side effects that can come with the therapy. He reported that bleeding such as you described and the two other gentlemen that replied to you in general was not an issue where I'll be treated. However, if something like that were to occur then referral to specialized gastroenterology is very effective. They perform Endoscopic Laser (Nd:YAG) therapy for severe radiation-induced rectal bleeding. Not sure where you are being treated / followed but if they have no clue about the above then I'd request a referral to a Cancer Center / Comprehensive Cancer Center where they should have access to the competent expertise available to get your quality of life back to par. Just curious, did your RadOnc place SpacOar or Barrigel prior to starting your radiation therapy? Hang tough man. All the best to you.

[@robwells230]

Sorry to hear of your ongoing problems. I had 25 fractions of 68 Grey IMRT and ordered to be on ADT ELIGARD CASTRATION for two years. I refused further ADT after the first shot expired due to horrific and insufferable side effects. During the final weeks of IMRT, I began to experience a lot of mucus with stool, but that resolved after a few months. HOWEVER, a full year after completing RT, I suddenly experienced severe urgency, mucus and a little bleeding. It was rather debilitating, but it resolved in a few weeks with no future issues. I guess I was luckier than a lot of guys. Wishing you a good outcome.

[@user-zx8wt2xy5i]

5:26

[@JANEWEBER-y9e]

Love his ties, following him for my brother, who was just notified of prostate cancer.

[@johnmunroe8812]

Thank you both for the information God bless

[@richardrosebealprestonjohn3144]

Brilliant videos! Thank you so much! So insightful!!

[@DonnaDavidofCalhoun]

My primary treatment with curative intent was prostatectomy in Sept. 2020 Gleason 4+3=7 with tertiary 5. 1st BCR early 2022, treated with salvage IMRT 39 sessions of 1.8 Gy, total dose 70.2 Gy, and 6 months ADT, again with curative intent. My 2nd BCR was Sept 2023, being treated NOW with ADT and Xtandi. I was hospitalized in Feb. 2024 with severe pancytopenia, and a Bone Marrow biopsy in March showed CCUS. Apparently bone marrow damage from the IMRT may not show up for years, but it is a known adverse effect. My physicians and I are hopeful that I am able to continue these 2 medications per the EMBARK protocol (I am not part of that Clinical Trial, just following the published protocol), and that the pancytopenia isn't due to Xtandi.

[@KDean22]

YOU ARE AWESOME. GOD BLESS YOU

[@Bill3558]

Had SBRT a month ago. No hormone therapy. Gleason 3+4, intermediate. Low risk Prostox . So far, so good. Few if any side affects. I hope I can prove the Doc wrong regarding “dry” orgasms for the rest of my life. Not a problem so far. I’m 73.

[@davewilton3101]

I do my first SBRT session tomorrow. No hormone either. 3+4. Did not have the Prostox test - wasn't offered and I did not know of its existence. Age 71. Hope I have the same outcome as you.

[@robwells230]

Dry orgasms???? I was warned and it occurred shortly after finishing 25 fractions of 68 Grey IMRT. Good news, after a little over a year later, began to have small amounts of ejaculate which seems to be gradually increasing. Not sure if it's from prostate or just the Cowpars glands, but I am hoping for some recovery. I was Coerced into one six month shot of Eligard ADT CASTRATION, and 16 months after that toxic shit expired, my testosterone level remains very low around 150, so I am pushing hard for Testosterone replacement therapy. Of all the horrific quality of life destroying side effects, dry orgasms are the least of my concern, but it's comforting to see a little normality return. FYI, my radiation effects are not worth mentioning, but the ADT CASTRATION is pure hell, and I absolutely refused any further ADT in spite of being ordered on it for two years. I'm convinced that any further ADT would have killed me sooner than cancer. Good luck on your journey

[@s.chaisrisuk4956]

Any ED?

[@Bill3558]

@@s.chaisrisuk4956 3 months in PSA is 2. No ED and not dry. Knock wood. Libido is off some though. Maybe it’s just age.

[@PacoOtis]

Very professionally presented and very educational and thanks for sharing!

[@kevinwang7886]

Thank you...this video is really helping

[@jeffw8616]

Excellent summary. What about occasional rectal incontinence at 10 months post radiation and occasional blood in the stool?

[@kickstand2438]

At 60. went from PSA 4 to over 7 in 6 months. Waiting for my biopsy now. Appreciate this channel for the information.

[@traviswilliams3189]

Take your time making a decision on surgery vs. radiation. Don't let anyone rush you into a decision. I took a year and eight months before I decided to do radiation. I decided on ERBT. My third session will be next monday, then on Wednesday and Friday I'm done. Good luck! Prayers to you as well.

[@bahoonies]

I had hormone treatment and IMRT (39 sessions over 8 weeks) when I was 64 with Gleason 3+4. I'm 71 now and can still get erections. I find it can take forever to ejaculate but when I do, they aren't usually dry ejaculations although there usually isn't much liquid. For some time after treatment finished I would get very frequent and extremely sudden urges to urinate. That eased considerably but now when I gotta go, I really have got to go. For me the worst side effect is that my strength never fully recovered after the treatment. I used to race as a vereran cyclist but I'm not strong enough to compete anymore.

[@DeathSentryCoH]

did you undergo hormone therapy?

[@jerrymunroe5593]

How long was the hormone therapy?

[@bahoonies]

@jerrymunroe5593 It lasted 6 months, starting 2 months before I began radiation therapy. I had to take a Casodex tablet daily. Then after two months I was given a decapeptyl injection which coincided with the start of radiation treatment (39 sessions over 8 weeks). Three months after the first injection I was given a second decapeptyl injection. I finished my course of Casodex a month later.

[@bahoonies]

@DeathSentryCoH Sorry, I just saw your question now. Yes I had hormone therapy.

[@scoot77777]

Thank you 🙏 Very nicely done! Great video! Learned a lot 🇺🇸

[@chrissimpson3762]

Thanks Peter. Urinatory aspect not too bad for me but still appreciate that from earlier experience it must be a nuisance. Lost blood on the golf course this morning, again just as it seemed I was getting better.

[@peterllewellyn8835]

Ten years after IMRT at a centre of excellence teaching hospital, did my long term side effects appear. Related to the urinary ability to drain the bladder. Have to self catheterize daily and been doing so now for over two years. Preferable to carrying a bag but not clear on what further options I have.

[@tomjgrant]

is it possible that HoLEP surgery before SBRT - de-bulking the prostate - could reduce side affects from the radiation?

[@oscarsalazar8693]

Having had a complete prostatectomy at 68yrs with a psa of 0.080 now 7year later to have a recurrence two yrs ago with psa of 10 and doing a psma pet ct scan a small nodle was discovered on my lung which was extracted by a cardio thoracic surgeon and psa fell to 0.080. At such point my medical oncologist put me on eligard 22.5 injections every 3 months and bacalutamide 50mg daily but psa kept going up so another pet ct scan was done and it show metastasis on L5 and hipbone and was put on Averaterone 250mg, for 3 months. I just did another blood test amd my psa is at 43.2 .my Dr.say that cancer seems resistance to ADT however my testasterone level is below 20, which is good and now requested another pet ct scan and increase Abiraterone to 1000mg with 10 mg presdnisone. How did the psa go so high?

[@SeekingWisdom17]

You could try switching from prednisone to dexamethasone, it should lower the PSA with abiraterone. Equivalent dosage: 10 mg prednisone = 1.5 mg dexamethasone. If you take it later than noon then you might have difficulty sleeping. If PSA goes still keeps going up then either switch to other second-generation ADT like Xtandi or try chemo (docetaxel).

[@nelsonoliva2119]

Hello sir If I may ask you some questions about your case , Im six months post RP. You say you had psa of 0.80 after your surgery 7 yrs ago, was your psa ever undetectable? Also you say your PSa reached 10 over that time but were you getting psa tests during that period? it would seem you should have had radiation before your psa reached 0.2 at the very least , but if you didnt was it because you didnt test for many yrs? or was it a sudden jump from 0.80 to 10 which I understand to not be common if even possible.. it would help me better to understand my own situation if you can clear this up. Im undetectable for now but age 55 which is of course concerning. Thank you and God bless you on this journey.

[@JunBayona]

8​@@SeekingWisdom17

[@chrissimpson3762]

Thanks for your response. The post treatment care phone calls were very pleasant, but it took quite an effort for them to recognise the problem. Eventually the GP prescribed heavy iron tablets after having to go for a transfusion and two pints. Bloods eventually back to relatively normal levels, and the (small) golf course has become more enjoyable. (But still worried about a visit before starting out.) Had they realised something of the problem, iron should have been prescribed much more pre-emptively.

[@jusitnjustin]

I have been watching your vedios, my imperssion from the vedios is the prostate cancer (gleason 7 and up) will not able to get fully cured, the treatments are only slow the cancer spread process and gain some quality time for rest of the life, am I correct?

[@krishnadevulapalli315]

I am surprised that there is no mention of radiation cystitis with intermittent hematuria

[@theodorelacroix5669]

And, whether or not it is localized can be challenging to determine even with an MRI. MRI's can be wrong a percentage of the time and probably because of computer error or radiologist error. I can give you an example of myself having MRI's done of my central nervous system and had many MRI's done. Even though I had competent radiologists writing up the reports, not one of them noticed I had 6 lumbar vertebrae instead of the customary 5. And, in the middle of two medical professionals who were giving and going to give me transforaminal injections into about 4 or 5 different locations, I asked them if they knew I had six lumbar vertebrae and neither of them knew that despite them having a real time kind of XRAY machine, but when I said that they looked more closely and determined I indeed had six lumbar vertebrae and then needed to re-calibrate where they would give me the injections.

[@Shiblee2000]

After 1 year of having 5 high beam radiation, I am experiencing urinary issue all of a sudden. Mostly burning sensation and increased urination. First was thought UTI, but after examination it was ruled out. Per Dr, it is Radiation side effect. As a remedy AZO/pain killer is prescribed. But seems a temporary solution, as the burning sanction comes back and it is very painful.

[@andersonmsosa6266]

As a survivor I add that detection of the malignancy in Prostate problem in the early stages contributes to complications that the individual ends up experiencing later. Detection and even awareness of the medical check relevant conditions is critical . Men should be aware what PSA or Gleason factor means . I initially attributed to my urine flow problems to old age until a nagging back pain at the time suspected to be a UTI condition persisted evenafter antibiotics. So medical Health systems in developing countries must improve with acquisitions of detection equipment . Treatment procedures is complicated . Most will be familiar with surgery procedure but for those who have gone through it experiences show that it's too rudimentary and attracts different deterring conditions in pain or after care . My Radiation therapy had a happy ending despite a range of side effects some which am still experiencing like crumping.

[@peterjasinski5632]

What is crumping?

[@joethecomputerguy1]

I've heard the Dr. mention center for excellence a number of times now. How does one find a center of excellence? I am headed for a biopsy next week on a PIRADS 4 from an MRI.

[@ThePCRI]

Hello Joe, our helpline will be able to assist you. You can reach them at pcri.org/helpline

[@gaetanoarnone1]

I really have appreciated your videos on prostate cancer. I would like to know what Dr. Scholz thinks of metabolic cancer therapy. The metabolic therapies include caloric restriction, fasting, and ketogenic diets. The approach is based on the idea that compensatory metabolic pathways are capable of modifying the pathogenesis of complex diseases. Dr Seyfried at Boston College is a researcher involved in this type of therapy. He believes that cancer is a metabolic disease basically of he mitochondria.

[@gtrgenie]

Just finished 1st week of IMRT!

[@snakemanmike]

Side effects usually start around the 3rd week. Good luck.

[@scottdavis5749]

I’m 3 weeks from my last. All side effects are gone. They were minimal to begin with. Good luck

[@gtrgenie]

@@scottdavis5749 Thx! Great to know.

[@gtrgenie]

@@snakemanmike Thx, I’ll keep that in mind.

[@skinfiddler]

I'm 72 and a about 10 months out from Bachytherapy at the Cleveland Clinic for Gleason 7 (4+3) PCa. PET scan revealed no metastasis. My 6 mo. PSA was 0.23 and I have (thusfar) experienced minimal side-effects. Hoping the PSA will continue to fall

[@steveg6978]

Any differences from seed to beam radiation on impotency ?

[@salmana4239]

Many thanks again for an insightful video Once again will request the doc to talk about deciper test and how to use its results in determining cure options

[@NobodyNobody-hx6wh]

look at some of his other videos dealing with genetic / genomic testing. He provides information on your question.

[@MediaCentralTV1]

Sorry to hear that

[@briang6168]

Just excellent.

[@email3869]

55 year old with Gleason 3+3=6, PSA 1.8, sizes 0.1 cm and .007 cm sizes.

[@morphwien]

Erectile dysfunction after RT (although “only” 50% vs 80% for RP) yes, but dry ejaculation? I haven’t heard that it is common. I certainly didn’t get it after IMRT+proton boost for high-risk PCa. I did get some radiation proctitis, but that has been nicely suppressed with one Salofalk suppository per week. My “center of excellence” (Heidelberg University Hospital) did not recommend using a spacer gel in 2018.

[@wolfgang9570]

I've had 39 IMRT treatments 2 years ago.....refused hormone treatment. So far not a single side effect of any kind. After everything was said and done my Doc told me (if he had been in my shoes) that he would have chosen the same path. There is the caveat that some side effects may yet appear longer term......we shall see.

[@jaktao6044]

Ok so clarification please. I have a Gleason 9. Should I do LD Brachytherapy as a standalone with no need for ADT or Brachytherapy (again if localized) with ADT or the Triple punch of Brachytherapy+ ADT+IMRT/SBRT???????????

[@michaelcorenzwit8118]

I am an 80 year old whose PSA went up to 23 and my Gleason score was 8.3. I underwent 45 radiation treatments and also have been prescribed Orgovyx and Aberaterone for two years. I am extremely fatigued and weak and get out of breath with mild exertion. Is this normal?

[@hitechrr]

I had 26 rounds of IMRT in 2020 with the use of Spaceoar. I was 64 at the time. It caused ED, pelvic floor damage, and rectal bleeding since. I just had a PSMA-Pet scan it came back as still active cancer in the same location. I also need to take Flomax.

[@tonyzayner4313]

What hospital?

[@hitechrr]

@@tonyzayner4313 Carolina Regional Cancer Center, Myrtle Beach, SC

[@imxploring]

The unintended and often delayed side effects that RT can cause down the road REALLY need to be discussed at length when choosing a path to treat Pc.

[@davidmilne1678]

From my 2 years experience on ADT And Nubeqa I would say the long term side affects would be mostly related to the slow degrading affect on the body of the removal of testosterone

[@robwells230]

For me, the degrading effect on the mind was worse than on the body. They never warn or even mention the severe brain fog that can occur, and develop into dementia. ...My side effects were so horrific and insufferable that I gave my doctor the old 4Q and refused any further ADT CASTRATION. But even now, 18 months after the first six month shot of Eligard ADT expired, my testosterone remains less than half of normal and no doctor will give me TRT. looks like I have to go back to Mexico soon where I can buy testosterone over the counter.

[@Prog-t9d]

Thanks for posting

[@theobauer4845]

Is ist possible to get a BPH after radiation ? And which treatments are than available?

[@GunInstructor]

Do seed implants also cause a permanent reduction of white blood cell count? Or is this exclusively an effect of beam radiation?

[@parkland4530]

I have prostrate cancer. I am presently 75. I have gone through Radiation Treatment followed by Hormone treatment. Initially it went pretty well. Eventually my PSA went down to 0.6 and my Hormone treatment was ended. Unfortunately my PSA started going up again. Further radiation is not possible so I am back on Hormone injections. Actually PSA is dropping and I am hopeful I may be taken off the Hormones again. Unfortunately I started seeing blood in my urine. Turns out after tests that my bladder is bleeding as a result of the radiation treatments. It is not too bad so there is no panic at this time. However I have to wonder if I should have had the prostrate removed at the start..

[@vinceabbott1271]

My dad had prostate cancer it wasn’t very bad. The doctor told him he could take it out or do radiation or leave alone. The doctor said he would probably die of old before it got bad. So my dad did the radiation it got rid of the cancer but he bled out his butt the rest of his life. He made it till 82. The cancer started around 74. Basically they did to many treatments.

[@parkland4530]

@@vinceabbott1271 Yes, you have to wonder what the eventual price of that radiation ☢️ will be.

[@Vng370]

I’ve going thru radiation now , and I have a overactive bladder what can be done for that side affect

[@peterbaumgartel1789]

Recent updated data from British Columbia published in the Journal of Urology (July 2024) showed a progressively increasing risk of secondary malignancy development after brachytherapy, up to 10% at 20 years. Is radiation therapy of any kind still a good treatment option for healthy men under the age of 70?

[@jimbaker2698]

Thank U all for info ,I was diagnosed with radiation proctitis! It showed up a few months after 3 or 4 doses of radiation in my pelvic area it is very painful and not much helps,,I've been told no more chemo nothings working ,???

[@ricknowak4582]

How in the world can they have so many options to treat prostate cancer!!!! Can't they figure out a way that works!?!? It's almost as if there is no cure at all. Did they just make you have side effects and possibly I'm thinking that you could live just as long if you had no treatments! Thoughts anyone please because this is becoming overwhelming for me to decide what course to take. I really really think of doing nothing! I am getting so frustrated and mad! No cure? Unbelievable.

[@DeathSentryCoH]

Am in the same boat. Gleason 8..but these damn treatments are so scary

[@michaelfritz6775]

Thanks a bunch…love your talks…blood in urine and maybe in stool can come and go for years really is unreal….learn more from you than my docs…had to have hormone treatment stopped because it was kicking my ass..now I take shots to get testosterone back to build body again…thank you soooo much…

[@magdalenam3737]

My dad just finished four weeks of radiation for his bladder cancer. He is in agony everyday and all i can think of is that he is burning inside. He lives in the bathroom since he has urgency to poo and pee. Anyone know what happened? Is this common? He was perfectly fine before other than the cancer found in bladder. Wiĺl his pain go away? He ranks it a 10 and thinks he is going to die from the pain. Been to emergency room but they keep releasing him with pain meds. Radiation kis awful.

[@threeftr3349]

So sorry to hear this, he needs some aftercare guidance from his oncologist.

[@nevillebartos2858]

I think bladder cancer is a whole different kettle of fish from prostate cancer, much more serious and little in common with PC and the way it's treated. He should be all over his urologist and oncologist to sort this out, not the local ER. I hope he gets help soon. I had a cystoscopy when I was suspected of having bladder cancer and after it it was extremely painful to urinate and there was blood clots etc, so I know a little of what he is going through and it's not nice😢

[@joesimons7387]

I had proton therapy at 65 for prostrate cancer. Short term hard to Urinate and felt a tired. Long term started about 73 with hip pain and stared to have low sex drive and my and had trouble getting Mr. happy ready and no come. I have no wife so isn't the end of the world. My woman friend is ok with it. I am 9 years out and low psa's so life is ok at 74. Miss the sex but I had a good sex life before probably better that most men so I don't feel cheated. Hips hurt on walks but other than that life is good.

[@tedrick4713]

Excellent

[@laserbeamdaddy]

Damn I had Radiation, Surgery and Hormone treatment I am screwed for erectile function.

[@stanknowlton7043]

I have no idea if my side effects were from radiation, hormone treatment or surgery as all were done at the same time.

[@curteby475]

2017 psa 28 had a rad robotic prostratectmy. cancer was out of prostrate, scraped off bladder -2018 had penile implant. 8- 24 psa back to 2.1 now radiation. will the radiation harm my saline resivour inside me

[@johndefenderfer5946]

I’m dealing with a stage 4 recurrence of my prostate cancer and I’m in an interesting position because I’ve had both surgery and radiation treatments in the past so I’m pretty much totally dependent on hormone deprivation therapy for my future care. I found it interesting that the doctor mentioned that 5 percent of men have long term side effects from radiation treatments as far as ED and incontinence go; I find myself in this very small group.

[@pinotwinelover]

I don't think you brought up what you consider in another video your best option for radiation, which is HDR

[@dmcarden]

Why do you feel HDR is best? Are there less side effects (short/long term)?

[@curtreese3089]

I’m planning to go to Keck Medical (USC) in Los Angeles

[@maverickat4544]

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is an absolute must after prostate radiation. It's terrible to wake up to blood gushing out of your rectum 2 years after your treatments. Delayed proctitis is no joke.

[@Sam-jr2nc]

You did this right after SBRT even before having symptoms?

[@maverickat4544]

@Sam-jr2nc . Unfortunately my symptoms started before the treatment was even completed

[@dmcarden]

Even with spaceoar?

[@paulcarestia3181]

Would you please provide additional detail on your hyperbaric oxygen therapy? How soon after radiation? How many treatments? Time period between treatments? etc............. thanks much!

[@DCGreenZone]

I'm hearing very few SE's from Clarity Cu67.

[@glennmeisenheimer1128]

My PSA is 39 but the biopsy says it's a Gleason 3 + 3. Since 3 + 3 tumors don't metastasize I have to figure out if I want to do something as drastic as surgery or radiation for a condition that isn't life threatening, at least in the short term. Is there any way to shrink non-metastatic tumors without all the side effects of radiation or radical surgery?

[@SeekingWisdom17]

PSA is quite high for a GS 3+3. Do you have a high volume prostate?

[@glennmeisenheimer1128]

​@@SeekingWisdom17 From the MRI: "Enlarged prostate gland is about 3.6X4.2X4.9 cm with volume 38.5 mL. 1# There is a 3.4 cm circumscribed hypointense T2W leision with marked DWI restriction involving transitional zone from base to apical levels, as well as anterior peripheral zone at apical level, PI-RADS 5. Bulging anterior capsule could be extraprostatic extension (EPE)." The first biopsy came back as indeterminate so they sent me to a different hospital for what the described as a "deeper more thorough" biopsy, whatever that means. It was a bloody mess. It also came back as indeterminate to they sent the biopsy to a third laboratory which returned the Gleason 3 + 3 diagnosis: "TRUS biopsy(18/4/2024): Rt lobe: Adenocarcinoma, Gleason score 3 + 3. Tumor involves 5 of total 16 fragments. Confirmed w(at this point the printing runs off the edge of the page) Lt lobe presence of stroma and part of seminal vesicle; no prostatic acini was obtained.

[@thomassladek9437]

Could you please provide a reference for "Since 3+3 tumors don't metastasize ..." ? I have a 3+3, and I need ammo to deal with oncologists. Short history: Radical prostatectomy 1995 (didn't get it all) External beam radiation 2011 (didn't get it all) 24 months of ADT 2022-2024 (Didn't get it all) . Sometimes I think they just make things up to get me out the office so they can have a tickle party.

[@villaoceanblue]

@@glennmeisenheimer1128 I needed to put your post in chatGPT to understand it in easy English. This is what it gave me:MRI: Your prostate is bigger than usual, measuring about 3.6 x 4.2 x 4.9 cm. The MRI found a suspicious area in your prostate that's darker on certain scans and might be restricting water movement (not a good sign). This area involves the middle part of your prostate from top to bottom and the front edge near the top. The radiologist who looked at the MRI thinks the suspicious area might be growing outside the prostate (not good). Biopsy: The first biopsy results weren't clear (indeterminate). You had a second, more extensive biopsy (probably took more samples) at a different hospital. This one was pretty uncomfortable (bloody mess). The second biopsy results were also unclear at first (indeterminate) but after sending them to a different lab, they found cancer. Cancer details: The type of cancer is adenocarcinoma. The Gleason score is 3 + 3, which is a low-grade cancer (good news). Cancer was found in 5 out of 16 samples taken during the biopsy. The biopsy of the left side didn't get any prostate tissue, just other stuff.

[@anneeinhorn9227]

My understanding is the 3+3 may not metastasize, but there is nothing to stop other higher grade cancers from developing and spreading.​@thomassladek9437

[@ACTIVEPAIR]

My testosterone level is 9.5nmol//L so at the very lower end of the scale and my Free Androgen Index at 19.15. Does this mean I could do without having Hormone therapy if I had Radiation as these are the only options being offered by the NHS here in UK!

[@threeftr3349]

What diagnostic testing have you done? Biopsy? Gleason grade? MRI?, Decipher test?, PSMA pet scan?

[@ACTIVEPAIR]

@@threeftr3349 biopsy Gleason 3+4=7 with 40% of gland cancerous and recent PET showed no metastasis 😁 MRI showed possible extra capsular extension into left seminal vesicle.

[@anthonygasparini1734]

These videos are excellent! Center of Excellence is the key!!! I was diagnose with prostate cancer Gleason 3+4. Elected photon therapy, SpaceOAR procedure and Lupron therapy. What I experienced was nothing short of a freaking train wreck! I had bladder stones, or should I say rock garden! The pain I lived with during the second thru the 5th week of treatment was earth-shattering! Experienced urgent bloody urination every 15 minutes, urination was tremendously painful! Had the bladder stones removed during 3rd week of treatment which should have been performed before treatment, continued treatment. 4 weeks out from radiation, things are improving, and I still can't sit on a mower. My recommendation is to GO TO a CENTER OF EXCELLENCE for treatment!

[@dalebishop5936]

I have a friend who is Gleason score 3+4 at 74 yrs of age and doctor says watchful waiting is all thats needed at this point in time.That seems to be at odds wìth what i am reading here.Anybody else with 3+4 that has been told this ??

[@threeftr3349]

@@dalebishop5936 Does he have Medicare advantage? Did he have any other diagnostic testing to confirm his Gleason score? ...such as a Decipher test, MRI or PSMA Pet Scan? What is his PSA? What was the reason he had a biopsy? Does he check is PSA every year? or every 6 months?

[@johnmchale8308]

@@dalebishop5936 Yes a 3-4 is favorable, at 74 is preffered

[@predickament]

I had radiation therapy, it cured my cancer, but it atrophied my penis (loss of 5” in length and my testicles are the size of garbanzo beans) I’m incontinent now. All in all - prostate cancer took away my quality of life. I’m 16 years cancer free, relationship free and gym free.

[@DeathSentryCoH]

So sorry to hear this...wow

[@predickament]

Thanks, it’s too late for me! I am warning people to find out the “personal” facts of the actual symptoms post-radiation that no doctor apparently felt it worthwhile to convey!

[@DeathSentryCoH]

@predickament I am scheduled for impt with proton. What type did you have? You had adt as well? Wondering if I should rethink my treatment

[@predickament]

@@DeathSentryCoH I had external beam. Good luck!

[@DeathSentryCoH]

@@predickament ty!!!

[@jabster58]

How do you afford these adt medications..some cost 3000 for 30 pills

[@tonyzayner4313]

I joined a study...Reguolix was free for 1 year

[@francisclare5852]

Fortunately I'm Canadian with free health care and free cancer drugs.

[@threeftr3349]

Pills are suppose to be way cheaper than an in office injection. If your insurance doesn't cover the pills, perhaps they will cover the in office injection, which is just a little bit more than the price they quoted you for the pills. What kind of insurance do you have? I hope it's not Medicare Advantage.

[@tonyzayner4313]

Try to join a study....then they are free

[@theodorelacroix5669]

This is only if it is localized.

[@darrellcriswell9919]

Dr Schholz is excellent, however he say mentions hyperbaric oxygen therapy as an adjunctive wound healing treatment. I worked in hyperbarics for years, even taught courses in it, all the good objective evidence shows it is either noneffective or detrimental. The theoretical rationale is outdated and the well done prospective clinical trials all argue against it. Please don't in any way promote this treatment. I would be glad to provide more info. I am well versed in the area.

[@Sam-jr2nc]

I would like more info on why it is no good

[@darrellcriswell9919]

@@Sam-jr2nc You can go back to a letter written to the New England Journal of Medicine in 1987 Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy "A Therapy in Search of a Disease". There have been many clinical research studies and the better ones typically show no effect and some negative consequences for wound healing. It is a great therapy for decompression sickness and arterial gas embolism. A lot of the people who make money from the treatment have done studies showing it is effective. The basic science claims for rationale of hyperbaric oxygen in wound treatment just don't make sense, large doses of oxygen are toxic, you can marginally improve wound healing by taking ground level oxygen, but it is a trivial level of improvement (increased collagen crosslinking). I worked in the area and saw people try to do research in the area and basically they quit the research projects when they saw bad results. So the clinical research you find in the medical literature is mixed but most is low quality because it is almost impossible to ethically do proper controls. I worked in one of the largest therapeutic facilities in the world and all the technicians thought the treatment was worthless, one asked "who have we ever seen who was cured?" one asked one day. The physicians liked it because it was really easy work for them. However the physicians who worked in HBO were really good at wound care which was generally provided every day. So when people started HBO treatment they also started receiving daily excellent wound treatment and saw improvements in the wound (in my opinion it was from the wound care not the HBO). I know this is not a clear cut answer for you. It is an area of medicine nobody wants to kill because people make a lot of money in it and have a lot of money invested. It is a cult type of therapy, people come to believe in it like a religion, but I am totally convinced it is worthless and I used to teach classes in it.

[@briang6168]

I have 3+4 diesase and also have well controlled Ulcerative Colitis. I was considering having radiation therapy as opposed to surgery however the doctor who would be doing the radiotherapy advised against it due to my history of inflammatory bowel diesase. The consultant treating my colitis said it was a seperate entity and said that they rarely came across radiation proctitis. Has anyone any experience of this?

[@michaelfrankie8443]

😮

[@pinotwinelover]

I really hope somebody will answer this because just like a lot of men out of here say I got surgery cause I wanted it out and don't even understand that the recurrence rates are nearly identical. I hear this all the time when they chose surgery. Well if I got radiation first, I couldn't have surgery, which is generally true. It makes it much more difficult, but when would that ever be an option? It almost feels like a strawman argument that men make to justify why they choose surgery.. it seems most of the time if radiation fails they re-radiate if there's an instance where a person had radiation, but having surgery at a later date might be important. I haven't found it yet so again, I feel it's a strawman argument, although it's true it's not something that's applicable and yet mini make men are making the decision of surgery over radiation versus this strawman. Can anybody chime in at all on where it might still be important to leave surgery is an option after Radiation.

[@SeekingWisdom17]

Look for "Salvage Prostatectomy"

[@edwardschoolcraft2958]

Oddly enough, I still have semen fluid after radiation. Not much but still some, and it doesn't come out of the rate or timely fashion that it used to.

[@spyderhead7160]

How about those of us who suffered massive mucous, diarrhea, and rectal bleeding after only 11 radiation treatments?😎

[@chrislee633]

I hear no mention of this, My treatment is creating regular rectal wind over first 10 treatments and a gel like discharge .Can this be from the pre treatment enema

[@spyderhead7160]

Colonoscopy discovered and removed six polyps (two were large). Will resume radiation treatments in a few months.

[@davidzottneck9610]

State of the art centers? A center of excellence? Which centers are these!?!

[@schmingusss]

So a 55 yr old getting radiation treatment has a 1 in 3 chance of becoming impotent. Yikes!

[@johnmchale8308]

Yep I'm 67 and still get hard as a rock with no pills......my life is about to change WTF!!!

[@OscarGonzalez-vg3cp]

Can you tell people the very bad psychology after prostatectomy , tell the victims they will feel like dog castrated. This is how I feel after my surgery. 3 years don't feel anything. He'll be coming to my doctor what he did to me. Lies was all this website. Tell consequences, too....I will never be fine is a male again. My truth.

[@johnmchale8308]

I'm sorry to hear this, I'm torn between radiation and don't want surgery.

[@franmellor9843]

@@johnmchale8308 I'd go with the radiation the other option is total

[@vleldaddio210]

What about CyperKnife radiation method ?

[@jeffw8616]

Excellent summary. What about occasional rectal incontinence at 10 months post radiation and occasional blood in the stool?

[@robwells230]

I experienced the same issues exact one year after completing 25 fractions of 68 Grey IMRT. It was pretty severe but cleared up before long, and hasn't re occurred. Good luck getting beyond this setback

[@jeffw8616]

Thanks!