As you read the “Our Stories” where patients have written about side effects you’ll see how for many of the patients proton therapy treatment is a “walk in the park.” For the general population side effects are few but I’m sure you realize that this treatment can have consequences and for some the side effects are serious. We also should acknowledge that prostate cancer is a deadly disease and the goal of the center is to kill the cancer.
This is the index page to a series of short papers on Side Effects with anecdotes from the patients of the M.D. Anderson Prostate Therapy Center. These are called “one pagers” although most have grown to 2 or 3 pages. Use the drop down menu to see the list and select from this list to read the articles.
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Dealing with Lupron – On the list as a side effect this topic really discusses part of the treatment practice at the Anderson Proton Therapy Center to use leuprolide (Lupron) therapy to kill cancer cells and to cure prostate cancer. It is usually recommended to patients who have been diagnosed with intermediate risk to high risk prostate cancer before and in conjunction with proton therapy treatment.
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ED General – Included is a general discussion about the erectile dysfunction and the effect proton therapy may have on it. The jury is still out.
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ED with Hormone Therapy – When the production of testosterone is dramatically lowered by the administration of leuprolide, the sex drive is eliminated and this makes an erection difficult.
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Energy Level One of the most common side effect it varies from patient to patient. Discussion about patient experiences follows.
