radation experiences needed

Tricia, I'm an eight year survivor of Stage IIIC melanoma.  I had a series of targeted radiation treatments to treat a non-melanoma tumor (a schwannoma) next to my cervical spine that was first discovered after my melanoma diagnosis.  Initially, the radiation oncologist talked about 25 treatments (5 days a week for 5 weeks) but we settled on doing the equivalent dosage of radiation in only 5 treatments (he called 5X5).  I had some pain from tumor swelling and a bit of fatigue and skin burning (like a sunburn), but overall it was quite easy compared to surgery and chemotherapy.  There seems to be a lot of variation in how patients react to radiation treatments, and that sounds like a tough location if you experience any skin irritation.  Best wishes to you.

Rich

http://www.hotelmelanoma.blogspot.com

Tricia, I'm an eight year survivor of Stage IIIC melanoma.  I had a series of targeted radiation treatments to treat a non-melanoma tumor (a schwannoma) next to my cervical spine that was first discovered after my melanoma diagnosis.  Initially, the radiation oncologist talked about 25 treatments (5 days a week for 5 weeks) but we settled on doing the equivalent dosage of radiation in only 5 treatments (he called 5X5).  I had some pain from tumor swelling and a bit of fatigue and skin burning (like a sunburn), but overall it was quite easy compared to surgery and chemotherapy.  There seems to be a lot of variation in how patients react to radiation treatments, and that sounds like a tough location if you experience any skin irritation.  Best wishes to you.

Rich

http://www.hotelmelanoma.blogspot.com

Tricia,

I've just finished day 7 treatment out of 23.  I was very impressed with my consult in Charlotte with statistics and their knowledge. However, I couldn't do the treatment there because of the round trip 5 hour drive and the amount of days.  The radiologist contacted someone local and they talked.  It went down from there.

I just don't feel comfortable in this facility but I feel leaving mid treatment would be a mistake. They originally told me that they were adding a bolus to "protect" my skin. What they meant was it would enhance the skin area and I guess make sure that any cells along the skin would be killed.  My Charlotte Dr told me I would only have some slight reddining. The internet says the bolus basically guarantees blisters.  I haven't figured out yet if this Dr did it on her own.  When I went back to start up the treatments again I said something to her and she took it out of thetreatment plan. Makes me think this was her addition. I could have contacted CHarlotte and asked but when she removed it I didn't bother.

Mine was stopped for 2 weeks while we dealt with what was thought to be a recurrance. Biopsy showed fatty tissue!  Have now had 7 treatments. My underarm near the elbow joint – is getting very sensitive and puffing up a bit. Everyday gets a little more intense.  I've heard people that have had no reactions and others who have had extreme reactions. 

I'm doing the treatments to save the ulnar nerve (funny bone nerve). The 2 nodes in that area had internodal extentions.  One tumor was pealed off of the nerve and he could not get margins. The other 3 sides had margins.  Being stage IV I realize my disease is elsewhere but quality of life issues stopped them from cutting this important nerve.  If it comes back I will be going systemic.  The radiologist in Charlotte was very specific with the numbers in the treatment so the radiation did not damage the nerve. That's another reason I'm thinking the local Doc added the bolus and not him.

Just ask lots of questions, I was told that radiation works best when it involved nodes and the fewer the better. He was basing this off of a study done in Australia that hasn't been published yet. This is an adjucnt treatment and you can choose!

Linda

Tricia,

I've just finished day 7 treatment out of 23.  I was very impressed with my consult in Charlotte with statistics and their knowledge. However, I couldn't do the treatment there because of the round trip 5 hour drive and the amount of days.  The radiologist contacted someone local and they talked.  It went down from there.

I just don't feel comfortable in this facility but I feel leaving mid treatment would be a mistake. They originally told me that they were adding a bolus to "protect" my skin. What they meant was it would enhance the skin area and I guess make sure that any cells along the skin would be killed.  My Charlotte Dr told me I would only have some slight reddining. The internet says the bolus basically guarantees blisters.  I haven't figured out yet if this Dr did it on her own.  When I went back to start up the treatments again I said something to her and she took it out of thetreatment plan. Makes me think this was her addition. I could have contacted CHarlotte and asked but when she removed it I didn't bother.

Mine was stopped for 2 weeks while we dealt with what was thought to be a recurrance. Biopsy showed fatty tissue!  Have now had 7 treatments. My underarm near the elbow joint – is getting very sensitive and puffing up a bit. Everyday gets a little more intense.  I've heard people that have had no reactions and others who have had extreme reactions. 

I'm doing the treatments to save the ulnar nerve (funny bone nerve). The 2 nodes in that area had internodal extentions.  One tumor was pealed off of the nerve and he could not get margins. The other 3 sides had margins.  Being stage IV I realize my disease is elsewhere but quality of life issues stopped them from cutting this important nerve.  If it comes back I will be going systemic.  The radiologist in Charlotte was very specific with the numbers in the treatment so the radiation did not damage the nerve. That's another reason I'm thinking the local Doc added the bolus and not him.

Just ask lots of questions, I was told that radiation works best when it involved nodes and the fewer the better. He was basing this off of a study done in Australia that hasn't been published yet. This is an adjucnt treatment and you can choose!

Linda

I finished 29 radiation treatments June 1st. Same stuff, 5 days a week, almost 6 weeks. I too used a bolus because the radiation onc said it would concentrate the radiation to where it was most likely cancer cells remained.

I had read a November 2009 report that said that radiation treatment aferr surgery lessened the chances of recurrence. We will see.

My radiation was to my scalp, covered most of my head. Since radiation kills hair follicles, I am completely and permenantly bald. My lesser side effects included 2nd degree sunburn symptoms, redness, itching, real sensitive scalp and peeling. No symptoms started until halfway through the treatments.

My biggest symptom was the fatigue. Toward the end of treatments, I became real fatigued and it hasn't really gone away yet, almost 2 months later.

I think radiation is a viable cancer treatment for stray cells, not so sure it does alot for actual tumors.

I've done biochemo, surgery and radiation. Radiation is a piece of cake compared to the other two.

Nicki, Stage 3b

I finished 29 radiation treatments June 1st. Same stuff, 5 days a week, almost 6 weeks. I too used a bolus because the radiation onc said it would concentrate the radiation to where it was most likely cancer cells remained.

I had read a November 2009 report that said that radiation treatment aferr surgery lessened the chances of recurrence. We will see.

My radiation was to my scalp, covered most of my head. Since radiation kills hair follicles, I am completely and permenantly bald. My lesser side effects included 2nd degree sunburn symptoms, redness, itching, real sensitive scalp and peeling. No symptoms started until halfway through the treatments.

My biggest symptom was the fatigue. Toward the end of treatments, I became real fatigued and it hasn't really gone away yet, almost 2 months later.

I think radiation is a viable cancer treatment for stray cells, not so sure it does alot for actual tumors.

I've done biochemo, surgery and radiation. Radiation is a piece of cake compared to the other two.

Nicki, Stage 3b

Hi Tricia,

I've just finished 25 rounds of external radiation and I am heading to 4 rounds of internal radiation/breaky procedure next week/.The general side effects I experienced included fatigue/ tiredness, sunburns in the radiated area and diahrea/it started with crampy feeling in my stomach after first week/ controlled by alternating Immodium and Alka Seltzer.

Take care of yourself and get enough rest;and it should be a smoth sailing compared to chemo.

Good luck,

Teodora 

Hi Tricia,

I've just finished 25 rounds of external radiation and I am heading to 4 rounds of internal radiation/breaky procedure next week/.The general side effects I experienced included fatigue/ tiredness, sunburns in the radiated area and diahrea/it started with crampy feeling in my stomach after first week/ controlled by alternating Immodium and Alka Seltzer.

Take care of yourself and get enough rest;and it should be a smoth sailing compared to chemo.

Good luck,

Teodora 

I had radiation for 2 weeks in 2010 near my superior vena cava. Had a sunburn the size of a softball  on my back…no other side effects like that. Because they went close my esophagus I had trouble swallowing for a couple weeks ..like a very very sore throat and felt like a mega lump that I couldn't swollow too..

I had radiation for 2 weeks in 2010 near my superior vena cava. Had a sunburn the size of a softball  on my back…no other side effects like that. Because they went close my esophagus I had trouble swallowing for a couple weeks ..like a very very sore throat and felt like a mega lump that I couldn't swollow too..

Hi Tricia,

 I had 6 weeks of radiation to the right axillary in 2008. My oncologist said the radiation would reduce the chance of a local recurrence from 60 to 10%. There are some supplements that claim to increase the effectiveness of radiation while sparing patients the major side effects. I took Fish Oil, AHCC, and Querecetin during the time I had the radiation. I also used Miaderm radiation cream, developed by radiation oncologists to reduce the burning/blistering of the skin. My doctor said I received A high dose and was amazed that I had very few side effects. I had minor fatigue, some tightness, redness toward the end and pain just the last 2 treatments. I had no blistering.

 God Bless and much success,

 Jim M.

 stage 3C

Hi Tricia,

 I had 6 weeks of radiation to the right axillary in 2008. My oncologist said the radiation would reduce the chance of a local recurrence from 60 to 10%. There are some supplements that claim to increase the effectiveness of radiation while sparing patients the major side effects. I took Fish Oil, AHCC, and Querecetin during the time I had the radiation. I also used Miaderm radiation cream, developed by radiation oncologists to reduce the burning/blistering of the skin. My doctor said I received A high dose and was amazed that I had very few side effects. I had minor fatigue, some tightness, redness toward the end and pain just the last 2 treatments. I had no blistering.

 God Bless and much success,

 Jim M.

 stage 3C