The common cures for prostate cancer are radiation or surgery, but with the help of two local men, proton therapy might become an effective alternative.

Researchers at the University of Florida Proton Therapy Institute have treated Primo Acoba and Ted West with protons, which can treat the cancer with a greater amount of targeted radiation.

"Proton therapy is a new way of delivering radiation using protons instead of X-rays," said Dr. Nancy P. Mendenhall, medical director of the UF Proton Therapy Institution. "It provides more radiation to the cancer and less to the surrounding areas."

The clinical study started in 2006 and has treated 212 men in three clinical protocols. Results so far indicate there are minimal urinary and rectal side effects.

"It was great," Acoba said. "I had no side effects and it didn't hurt at all. The only thing that did hurt was the three days of testing done during the orientation."

The possible side effects with radiation and even the proton therapy include urinary problems such as a burning sensation, blood in the urine and similar rectal complications. The clinical study was looking at those side effects or the toxicity to see if there was increased gastrointestinal damage to the rectum or bladder functions with the new treatment, Mendenhall said.

Both patients said they were happy to be part of the clinical trial and had minimal reservations.

The treatment took about 15 minutes and consisted of lying on a table while a shot of protons were sent into the hip area, West said.

Acoba called the giant machine that delivered the protons and swiveled around the patients a device out of "Star Wars."

Acoba lives in Panama City, but spent two months in Jacksonville undergoing 39 treatments. The protocol for the proton therapy takes about an hour but the laser is only on for about a minute, Acoba said.

"I think it's one of the greatest inventions they got," Acoba said.

Acoba discovered the clinical study through his daughter, who is a pharmacist and graduate of the University of Florida.

West found out about the clinical study and the proton therapy from a friend. He knew of other people going through the treatment and having positive results. At the age of 71 and with a prior heart condition, West was not a good candidate for the surgery.

West underwent the newest protocol implemented by the institute and had the same amount of radiation but in a 5 1/2 -week time span.

"I never felt bad during the whole treatment," West said. "There were virtually no side effects."

He will return to the institute in six months for a checkup.

"The proton therapy is not just about the treatment," Acoba said. "It's also about how they treat you. They bring donuts on Monday, provide lunch on Wednesday and dinner on Thursday."

Acoba's wife, Rita, said she saw the men in the clinical study bond because they were sharing a common experience.

"When you walk in the door, you just feel like this is it and I can't explain it," said West's wife, Fran. To see more of The News Herald or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.newsherald.com. Copyright (c) 2009, The News Herald, Panama City, Fla. Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services. For reprints, email tmsreprints@permissionsgroup.com, call 800-374-7985 or 847-635-6550, send a fax to 847-635-6968, or write to The Permissions Group Inc., 1247 Milwaukee Ave., Suite 303, Glenview, IL 60025, USA.