› Forums › General Melanoma Community › huge tumor and chemo/radiation
- This topic has 15 replies, 4 voices, and was last updated 9 years, 6 months ago by odonoghue80.
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- September 15, 2014 at 9:25 am
Hi there,
i have a tumor in my groin that has been growing out of control, and is extremely painful. It is the size larger than a softball and is so painful I can't walk. Last week, my doctors postponed getting the TIL therapy at the NIH, and my local oncologist agreed.
So this week I am starting on chemo and radiation the following week. I'm not sure what to expect from the chemo (carbo/taxol). It will be an infusion for 4.5 hours, every 3 weeks. Has anybody had experience with this chemo. We are hopeful this can shrink the tumor and give me some relief.
As for the radiation, I have no idea what to expect of it, or how it is administered? I have experience with SRS radiation to the brain, but has anybody have experience with a targeted radiation therapy to the body? If anybody can share some thoughts please let me know.
Thanks,
Shane
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- September 15, 2014 at 3:45 pm
Wow Shane. That must be difficult. Hang in there.
I've had and am having radiation to my spine and head. Currently to the spine is targetting 2 spots. 30 gray in 5 fractions to each spot. One day they do one spot. The next the other spot. Basically it is no big deal. When it is happening I don't really feel anything. Since the beams do continue through the rest of me they pass through my stomach in my case so I have a little nausea afterwards but not much. I would expect going into the tumor in the groin I'm not sure what it would pass through. But I expect you should feel some relief after the first or second zap.
Good luck to you.
Artie
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- September 15, 2014 at 3:45 pm
Wow Shane. That must be difficult. Hang in there.
I've had and am having radiation to my spine and head. Currently to the spine is targetting 2 spots. 30 gray in 5 fractions to each spot. One day they do one spot. The next the other spot. Basically it is no big deal. When it is happening I don't really feel anything. Since the beams do continue through the rest of me they pass through my stomach in my case so I have a little nausea afterwards but not much. I would expect going into the tumor in the groin I'm not sure what it would pass through. But I expect you should feel some relief after the first or second zap.
Good luck to you.
Artie
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- September 15, 2014 at 3:45 pm
Wow Shane. That must be difficult. Hang in there.
I've had and am having radiation to my spine and head. Currently to the spine is targetting 2 spots. 30 gray in 5 fractions to each spot. One day they do one spot. The next the other spot. Basically it is no big deal. When it is happening I don't really feel anything. Since the beams do continue through the rest of me they pass through my stomach in my case so I have a little nausea afterwards but not much. I would expect going into the tumor in the groin I'm not sure what it would pass through. But I expect you should feel some relief after the first or second zap.
Good luck to you.
Artie
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- September 17, 2014 at 1:27 am
I've had radiation to several bone mets in my legs, one to my lung, and SRS to a brain met. Experiences can vary based on the actual radiation delivery system and treatment protocol. Until recently, melanoma was considered "radioresistive" (not responsive to radiation) but newer studies have shown that it can respond to radiation with fewer but larger doses. Have you been given any details of the treatment schedule and amount of radiation you'll be receiving? I can answer your question better if you are able to provide some more information. Also, if you search my other posts, I've written several with more details about my experience with radiation therapy for melanoma.
Best, Joe
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- October 22, 2014 at 2:37 am
Thanks for the responses. Yesterday I did have simulation for the radiation. My tumor is very big (about the size of a grapefruit) in my groin and very close to my private area. The plan is to have 10 sessions of radiation Monday though Friday for the next two weeks
I also have had two rounds of chemo now and this tumor has now shrunk at all. My radiation oncologist has also told me the radiation is unlikely to shrink the tumor. I'm starting to second guess of going through the radiation. Plus the proximity of my private area has some risks of fertility, reducing testosterone, and depleting bone marrow from my hip. I'm just wondering what the benefits of doing this is? I asked him to clarify yesterday what radiation does, and he said it will make the tumor more sensitive to the chemo and then will increase chance to shrink. Right now I'm just not feeling that great about it especially with the risks.
But at the same time I'm running out of options. I've had interferon, Mage A3 vaccine, Ipi, BRAF Zelboraf, and Tafinlar/Mekinist, Nivolumab trial, and now chemo and about radiation.
If anybody has any input Id appreciate it. Especially is anybody had radiation to a body part (not brain) that has been successful – or even if not succesful.
Thanks,
Shane
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- October 22, 2014 at 2:37 am
Thanks for the responses. Yesterday I did have simulation for the radiation. My tumor is very big (about the size of a grapefruit) in my groin and very close to my private area. The plan is to have 10 sessions of radiation Monday though Friday for the next two weeks
I also have had two rounds of chemo now and this tumor has now shrunk at all. My radiation oncologist has also told me the radiation is unlikely to shrink the tumor. I'm starting to second guess of going through the radiation. Plus the proximity of my private area has some risks of fertility, reducing testosterone, and depleting bone marrow from my hip. I'm just wondering what the benefits of doing this is? I asked him to clarify yesterday what radiation does, and he said it will make the tumor more sensitive to the chemo and then will increase chance to shrink. Right now I'm just not feeling that great about it especially with the risks.
But at the same time I'm running out of options. I've had interferon, Mage A3 vaccine, Ipi, BRAF Zelboraf, and Tafinlar/Mekinist, Nivolumab trial, and now chemo and about radiation.
If anybody has any input Id appreciate it. Especially is anybody had radiation to a body part (not brain) that has been successful – or even if not succesful.
Thanks,
Shane
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- October 22, 2014 at 2:37 am
Thanks for the responses. Yesterday I did have simulation for the radiation. My tumor is very big (about the size of a grapefruit) in my groin and very close to my private area. The plan is to have 10 sessions of radiation Monday though Friday for the next two weeks
I also have had two rounds of chemo now and this tumor has now shrunk at all. My radiation oncologist has also told me the radiation is unlikely to shrink the tumor. I'm starting to second guess of going through the radiation. Plus the proximity of my private area has some risks of fertility, reducing testosterone, and depleting bone marrow from my hip. I'm just wondering what the benefits of doing this is? I asked him to clarify yesterday what radiation does, and he said it will make the tumor more sensitive to the chemo and then will increase chance to shrink. Right now I'm just not feeling that great about it especially with the risks.
But at the same time I'm running out of options. I've had interferon, Mage A3 vaccine, Ipi, BRAF Zelboraf, and Tafinlar/Mekinist, Nivolumab trial, and now chemo and about radiation.
If anybody has any input Id appreciate it. Especially is anybody had radiation to a body part (not brain) that has been successful – or even if not succesful.
Thanks,
Shane
-
- September 17, 2014 at 1:27 am
I've had radiation to several bone mets in my legs, one to my lung, and SRS to a brain met. Experiences can vary based on the actual radiation delivery system and treatment protocol. Until recently, melanoma was considered "radioresistive" (not responsive to radiation) but newer studies have shown that it can respond to radiation with fewer but larger doses. Have you been given any details of the treatment schedule and amount of radiation you'll be receiving? I can answer your question better if you are able to provide some more information. Also, if you search my other posts, I've written several with more details about my experience with radiation therapy for melanoma.
Best, Joe
-
- September 17, 2014 at 1:27 am
I've had radiation to several bone mets in my legs, one to my lung, and SRS to a brain met. Experiences can vary based on the actual radiation delivery system and treatment protocol. Until recently, melanoma was considered "radioresistive" (not responsive to radiation) but newer studies have shown that it can respond to radiation with fewer but larger doses. Have you been given any details of the treatment schedule and amount of radiation you'll be receiving? I can answer your question better if you are able to provide some more information. Also, if you search my other posts, I've written several with more details about my experience with radiation therapy for melanoma.
Best, Joe
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- October 22, 2014 at 2:39 am
Thanks for the responses. Yesterday I did have simulation for the radiation. My tumor is very big (about the size of a grapefruit) in my groin and very close to my private area. The plan is to have 10 sessions of radiation Monday though Friday for the next two weeks
I also have had two rounds of chemo now and this tumor has now shrunk at all. My radiation oncologist has also told me the radiation is unlikely to shrink the tumor. I'm starting to second guess of going through the radiation. Plus the proximity of my private area has some risks of fertility, reducing testosterone, and depleting bone marrow from my hip. I'm just wondering what the benefits of doing this is? I asked him to clarify yesterday what radiation does, and he said it will make the tumor more sensitive to the chemo and then will increase chance to shrink. Right now I'm just not feeling that great about it especially with the risks.
But at the same time I'm running out of options. I've had interferon, Mage A3 vaccine, Ipi, BRAF Zelboraf, and Tafinlar/Mekinist, Nivolumab trial, and now chemo and about radiation.
If anybody has any input Id appreciate it. Especially is anybody had radiation to a body part (not brain) that has been successful – or even if not succesful.
Thanks,
Shane
-
- October 22, 2014 at 2:39 am
Thanks for the responses. Yesterday I did have simulation for the radiation. My tumor is very big (about the size of a grapefruit) in my groin and very close to my private area. The plan is to have 10 sessions of radiation Monday though Friday for the next two weeks
I also have had two rounds of chemo now and this tumor has now shrunk at all. My radiation oncologist has also told me the radiation is unlikely to shrink the tumor. I'm starting to second guess of going through the radiation. Plus the proximity of my private area has some risks of fertility, reducing testosterone, and depleting bone marrow from my hip. I'm just wondering what the benefits of doing this is? I asked him to clarify yesterday what radiation does, and he said it will make the tumor more sensitive to the chemo and then will increase chance to shrink. Right now I'm just not feeling that great about it especially with the risks.
But at the same time I'm running out of options. I've had interferon, Mage A3 vaccine, Ipi, BRAF Zelboraf, and Tafinlar/Mekinist, Nivolumab trial, and now chemo and about radiation.
If anybody has any input Id appreciate it. Especially is anybody had radiation to a body part (not brain) that has been successful – or even if not succesful.
Thanks,
Shane
-
- October 22, 2014 at 2:39 am
Thanks for the responses. Yesterday I did have simulation for the radiation. My tumor is very big (about the size of a grapefruit) in my groin and very close to my private area. The plan is to have 10 sessions of radiation Monday though Friday for the next two weeks
I also have had two rounds of chemo now and this tumor has now shrunk at all. My radiation oncologist has also told me the radiation is unlikely to shrink the tumor. I'm starting to second guess of going through the radiation. Plus the proximity of my private area has some risks of fertility, reducing testosterone, and depleting bone marrow from my hip. I'm just wondering what the benefits of doing this is? I asked him to clarify yesterday what radiation does, and he said it will make the tumor more sensitive to the chemo and then will increase chance to shrink. Right now I'm just not feeling that great about it especially with the risks.
But at the same time I'm running out of options. I've had interferon, Mage A3 vaccine, Ipi, BRAF Zelboraf, and Tafinlar/Mekinist, Nivolumab trial, and now chemo and about radiation.
If anybody has any input Id appreciate it. Especially is anybody had radiation to a body part (not brain) that has been successful – or even if not succesful.
Thanks,
Shane
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