treatment choices

[urit142]

I'm new here. I am the wife of the sweetest fellow I know. He has prostate cancer. Has anyone had proton beam therapy? It seems our insurance won't cover it because it is experimental???? I thought it had been around for a while.

[Dr_WHO]

Sorry that you are here but you will not find a better group of men and women. Could you please share more information about your husband’s situation? For example, my Gleason score was 4+4, Stage 4D1, T3N1, Ductal Prostate Cancer that had spread to the pelvic area.

I can not comment on proton beam, but listed below are a couple of references that may help. There are a lot of other choices.The first one is from Prostate Cancer Foundation. They have a downloadable booklet. They can be found at

PCF.org

The second one is from the American Cancer Society. Their sight on prostate cancer can be found at

cancer.org/cancer/prostate-...

Finally, please know that you are part of our family. We will be there with you both in good and hard times. After all, people like us we have to stick together!

[vandy69]

Good Morning urit142,

I had 44 sessions of proton beam radiation 1 year ago and it was approved by Medicare and thus also by my supplemental insurance. See my bio for treatment history.

It is not experimental but is more expensive than IMRT.

Best wishes. Never Give In.

Mark, Atlanta

[scarlino]

I underwent Proton Beam Radiation at MD Anderson in 2014. My insurance covered it. I am not sure why they would deny it as it is an accepted treatment, Other than they like call things "experimental" so they don't have to pay for it. Mine was at MD Anderson in Houston, TX. You may wish to appeal their decision and get medical support for it.