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Rad treatment after surgery question
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Rad treatment after surgery question

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › Rad treatment after surgery question

  • Post
    • August 25, 2011 at 4:33 pm
    carol b
    Participant

      I had 3 tumors removed under my arm. Now they want to do radiation. Problem is i have had radiation before for breast cancer. Now they question is how serious will it be if thr radiation treatments overlap just a little. I was told it could cause lymphodema and tissue death,, Like a Chance of getting it.. The problem is they give me 2 options. A 5 day high dose radiation or a 20 dose low ratidiation.

      I had 3 tumors removed under my arm. Now they want to do radiation. Problem is i have had radiation before for breast cancer. Now they question is how serious will it be if thr radiation treatments overlap just a little. I was told it could cause lymphodema and tissue death,, Like a Chance of getting it.. The problem is they give me 2 options. A 5 day high dose radiation or a 20 dose low ratidiation. The 5 day treatment increases my chance of lymphodema and tissue death by 15% and the 20 treatments a 10% chance, now thats added to the 20% chance that i already have of getting lymphodema after surgery.. I have not had any lymphodema after surgery. So bacially i want to know do you think it will be ok to do the 5 day treatment and just take the chance of lymphodema and tissue death.. i have been so lucky so far with no problems. I just need a second opinion on here. I live 3 hours away from treatment. So the 5 day just makes more since to me. just need some answers about the treatment, and opinions as well… thanks in advance for answering…prayers to all on here who are going thru the same thing and even worse things, its a horrible disease.

      Carolb

      Stage 4

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    • Replies
        • August 26, 2011 at 12:40 am
        triciad
        Participant

          Carol,

          I have no knowledge about these issues, but I wanted to wish you luck with whatever decision you make.  It's good to hear from you again.  As always, you are in my prayers!

          Tricia

          • August 26, 2011 at 12:40 am
          triciad
          Participant

            Carol,

            I have no knowledge about these issues, but I wanted to wish you luck with whatever decision you make.  It's good to hear from you again.  As always, you are in my prayers!

            Tricia

            • August 26, 2011 at 2:42 am
            FormerCaregiver
            Participant

              Carol, there is another option that could be discussed with your oncologist. I wonder if having no radiation treatment on the area at the moment is something that could be considered?

              If this option was taken, then one would have to be very vigilant. However, as melanoma is so unpredictable in what it does there is a chance it won't return in the same place. One never knows if the IL-2 that you have had will keep things under control now.

              May God bless you.

              Frank from Australia

              • August 26, 2011 at 2:42 am
              FormerCaregiver
              Participant

                Carol, there is another option that could be discussed with your oncologist. I wonder if having no radiation treatment on the area at the moment is something that could be considered?

                If this option was taken, then one would have to be very vigilant. However, as melanoma is so unpredictable in what it does there is a chance it won't return in the same place. One never knows if the IL-2 that you have had will keep things under control now.

                May God bless you.

                Frank from Australia

                • August 31, 2011 at 12:39 am
                Jim M.
                Participant

                  Hi Carol,

                  There is not much of a difference of the possibility of getting lymphedema with either option. I would go with the one that makes the most sense to you. With the 20 treatments you will get some tissue death also.

                   God Bless,

                   Jim M.

                  • August 31, 2011 at 12:39 am
                  Jim M.
                  Participant

                    Hi Carol,

                    There is not much of a difference of the possibility of getting lymphedema with either option. I would go with the one that makes the most sense to you. With the 20 treatments you will get some tissue death also.

                     God Bless,

                     Jim M.

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