Novalis Shaped Beam

I have reoccuring PC, 3 years post DeVinci radical prostatectomy, Gleason 6, T2. It looks like I am in for salvage radiation as soon as my PSA's hit around 1.0

Is the new NOVALIST an option? Does anyone out there have advise or would like to share info or experiences on this. Any info appreciated.

Thank you so much

cposted

Hello cposted.

I don't know if I can help or not as I don't know what Novalis is. But I had a radical just over four years ago, and I'm in for salvage radiation.

I'm in BC Canada, and at our Cancer Clinic.......I was told three and a half years ago that they would radiate (salvage) when I got to 0.5.They were definite on this........and in the last few months I've been having my PSA taken monthly........when I got to 0.53 they immediately put me on their program of Casodex and Lupron for six months, and I have a tentative radiation date of August. I'm not sure if I were in your shoes I would want to wait until your PSA gets to 1.

Best of luck..............Stan.

I believe that Novalis radiation is called IMRT (intensity modulated radiation therapy)  a newer type of RT.  I had that process last fall with 35 daily treatments.  The machine has about 8 different angles that if shoots from and also is set up by computer and has a team approach including a nuclear technician, radiation oncologist and tech staff that actually administer the test.  I had zero side effects from this procedure and would highly recommend it for salvage radiation purposes.  I had a Davinci prostatectomy in April of 07 and had psa's of .062 and .059 two months later.  It was determined that I was a candidate for salvage radiation because of the failed surgery.  I also started Lupron therapy in June of 07 and in September had a psa of .08 and in January of 08 a psa of less than <.05.  I feel that the combination of hormone therapy plus the IMRT were responsible for the undectable readings.