Fitness levels/SBRT

[pd63]

Soon to have 5 sessions SBRT for intermediate risk pc.What, if any, correlation is there with regards to fitness levels and side effects both short and long term.

[ToolBeltZia]

I have not searched for evidence from randomized studies, but in general I have to believe you will respond better to any treatment if you are in better shape physically and mentally.

[MarkS]

Fitness and continuing with exercise are considered to really help with the symptoms from RT. I am going through RT at the moment - 35 sessions of VMAT and I'm also taking ADT as I have Gleeson 9 high risk localised PC. I feel more tired than usual and have broken sleep. However the exercise classes I do really help and perk me up. Also taking the dog out twice a day helps.

[cscmetsfacil]

From everything I hear in my groups and from my docs, PCRI, etc., you are choosing a highly effective treatment with far fewer side effects than many other choices. If SBRT had been an available option when I got my HDRT + 5 weeks EBRT + a short course of ADT, I would have chosen SBRT. As with all these treatments, do what you can to research available doctors and use the one with the most experience and best success rate you can find. For many people that might mean some travel. The key is in the the way the dosing is programed. If you have not get had a PSMA PET scan to be sure there is no detectable cancer outside the prostate talk to your docs about getting one. For many of us this is an important step to take sure that everything that needs to be treated gets treated. All treatment takes some recovery, but if you are using SBRT as a mon therapy (no ADT needed) you should recover rapidly. Mark S below is likely feeling fatigue as a result of ADT. The advantage of SBRT mono therapy, for those who can use it, is obliteration of the cancer without ADT. Best of luck and follow instructions on resting post treatment, but get back to exercise as soon as appropriate.