PROTON THERAPY

[PARKER3237]

Who is eligible to use proton therapy as a treatment for prostate cancer. In a recent meeting with my oncologist and specialists I was told ONLY prostate cancer patients can do it and not those who have metastasize of the bone or other areas.

[God_Loves_Me]

Nope, I got the proton therapy for the metastasize of bones.

[PARKER3237 in reply to God_Loves_Me]

Did insurance cover it? Also when in your treatment did you do the proton therapy? Did you do other treatments as well for the prostate cancer ?

[God_Loves_Me in reply to PARKER3237]

Yes most part of it. Feb 2024 to March 2024. It was SBRT. Yes I choose proton machine to deliver radiation to my bone Mets. I also doing clinical trials and AR as well. Check my bio

[wilcoxsaw]

You need to meet with a radiation oncologist that specializes in proton beam therapy and is able to review your case specifics in order to get the correct answer to your question. I have had proton treatments, 45 to the prostate, and 35 to areas of metastases. No one on this forum without knowing your case specifics and the abilities of the proton facilities can answer your question, you need to meet with a radiation oncologist at a proton Center. If you are in the California area I would suggest to meet with Dr Carl Rossi at California protons in San diego.

[PARKER3237 in reply to wilcoxsaw]

Thanks for your reply. There is a Proton Therapy center here in my area of Dallas that is well published. I have contacted them in the past and they told me the center is connected to the Texas Oncology Group but would review my case with consultation as soon as I start my treatments (tomorrow) for my prostate and metastasized bone which has been located for the most part in the lower spinal area through MRIs and various scans. I have also verified that coverage through my insurance is there.

[wilcoxsaw in reply to PARKER3237]

Best of luck

[Hidden]

When first diagnosed with PC I had 28 proton treatments …good for a couple of years…it came back on another lobe and I had 20 more treatments….after those a small “spot” was discovered outside the capsule…This “spot” was treated with proton also, but then came became metastatic PC…I’ve been back 30 (more various times ) for proton on bone “hot spots…,Dr Rossi says we’re just putting out the fires….I go back Aug 12 for some more proton on new “hot spots”….It just never ends until it ends…,Treatments are painless and I’ve never had any side effects….Im in San Diego and go to Ca Protons…Dr Carl Rossi is a good guy, doesn’t pull any punches and tells it like it is……

[wilcoxsaw in reply to Hidden]

Carl Rossi is the best in the proton world

[Hidden in reply to wilcoxsaw]

I’ll be seeing him shortly…More “fires” to put out.,.,.And Carl Rossi is the Fire Chief!

[Hidden]

forgot.,,,.I have Medicare and Anthem….they covered treatments.,.,once you’re metastatic you go to proton to “put out the fires”.,,,as mentioned above …

[mababa]

Parker, last Nov, when I was just starting my journey, i sought a second opinion with a Proton RO after meeting with my RO who prescribed IG/IMRT treatments I’m about to start. Dr Martin Ma, at the Seattle Fred Hutch Cancer Ctr explained that in my case (shooting the prostate and localized mets in the lymph nodes) Proton therapy offered no clinical advantage over std photon treatment. In fact he liked the image guiding ability of the photon RT because of a better ability to target the lesions. My reason for looking at PT was its ability to control dosing and penetration better, meaning less damage to surrounding tissue. He told me there are no clinical studies indicating a better outcome for PCa patients in terms of effectiveness when using PT. I’m on Medicare with a “gap” plan. So far, my costs have been covered. I could have elected PT but I’m not sure it would be fully covered like RT. In the end, proximity and ease of travel to RT sealed the deal. Best wishes to you.

[Omalley]

I got Proton with 3D conformal, 25 Proton 20 3D in 2009, last PSA was .3 been that way all along. Didn't have bone mets though