IGRT question - urine volume

Anyone know how much urine is needed in the bladder when doing radiation therapy (salvage radiation)? I know you need to drink water prior to this but wondering exactly how full the bladder needs to be.

thanks

RO should give u instructions. Just follow them and you'll be fine.
Bob

I completed my 39 treatments of IGRT right after Christmas. My RO and radiation techs said to drink a bottle of water about 45 minutes before treatment. They said it is far more important to have a full or partially full bladder than an empty colon. The radiation techs did say that before each treatment the cone beam CT taken is used to make adjustments for a bladder not adequately full or full colon. They said a bladder doesn't have to be bursting full, but substantially full and if not they will inform me that my bladder isn't adequately full. I never had that happen, in fact since I have a 30 minute drive home after treatment I would always urinate prior to leaving the hospital. Several times the amount I urinated was a fairly low volume.

I can say I never experienced any side effects from the IGRT, no diarrhea, no urgency, very minor if any fatigue towards the end of treatment, and no irritation.

teddy, everyone's bladder size is different. They will size you up with the 1st CT scan after you drink about 24 oz 30 minutes before. If you're comfortably full, they can determine the preferred range they want you at for treatments. Mine was a low of 290 ml to high of 410 ml. I was told they prefer to have the volume closer to the lower number. So it was always a relief to hear them tell be to release before the treatment.

They want you full. I typically don't wait till I'm full. So I would say it was a bit more than my normal trip to the bathroom. But not painful. There are some anxious moments in the waiting room, but once you lay flat down on the table the bladder pressure is relieved, and it is no longer a concern. Just be sure that you're comfortably full when they do the initial measurement. All treatments will be based on that measurement.

Ok you plan your water volume try to be the first on base to be treated but wind up being second or third on a 15 minute loop. Now it is Doctor Day the machine may not be cooling off properly but they extend your wait 20 to 30 minutes more. You try to hold it so not to have to refill. You finally get on the table you have air now have to have them tube the gas out. You fill the alignment process the machine makes it circles you twice and half way through the cycle you can't hold it. Knowing you can't stop the process you urinate all over your self and the machine. Lucky it only happened once. You will learn what is right for you. Don't let it embarrass you like me. The treatment will only take 9 weeks Good luck
Stage IV 3ta N1 M1 gleeson 4-4 PSA 43 on 10/14 age 63
lupron 6 month injection 3 shots IMRT complete on 3/7/2016
for local control PSA now .26 age now 64 was worth it,

thanks - this this is helpful to me. I did the first planning session and my volume was perfect - so just need to reproduce it every time.