garyi said...
Welcome Vee.....given the valuable data and some biased opinions offered up here, your impressive research, and the superb advise you'll undoubtedly receive at UCSF, your husband will be well prepared to make the best, well informed, choice on how to proceed.

Having endured both, my one observation is that some urologists are quick to offer surgery as 'the' solution; and some radiologists disregard seriously discussing potential side effects. I suspect, however, you two will be in a good position to make the right choice. Keep digging.

Best of luck!

radiation after surgery is exactly what i'm talking about. not the same as radiation as primary treatment.

garyi said...
Hydrogel spacers weren't used with my RT, since I had no prostate for it to rest against. There is some controversary about how useful it is, IIRC.

And complications have been recorded, mainly from improper application.

In my case, my RO recommended against SpaceOAR due to the location of the lesion (in the MRI). He said the gel could inadvertently push some of the cancer out of the radiation field.

At the time of my treatment SpaceOAR was just starting to be accepted. Cleveland Clinic used an endorectal baloon for both simulation and actual treatments to help thin the rectal wall as well as pin the prostate from movement. I have had no rectal issues during treatment, prior or since. I did have some mild burning when urinating that started after the third fraction and lasted about 7 to 10 days. It required no medication. If you select SBRT I would leave the choice up to the treatment team. Typically the hydrogel is placed at the same time the gold markers are placed in the prostate. You’re asking all the correct questions and an informed choice is unlikely to result in any regret.