Any One have Radiation

• By jeaniet
• Posted June 23, 2009 at 12:00 am
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Terry.....sorry I can't contribute any answers, but I wlll be interested in answers you get. My Onc is tentatively thinking about radiation too, but I got 3 different answers about any dangers. My current Onc said as long as it doesn't affect liver and kidneys, it is fine to use. It would last for around 5 weeks, daily. Another Onc said no, as it will not be good for small intestine. The 3rd doc said no, as it damages bone marrow, which compromises future chemo treatment.
So, there you go.......the "who the hell knows the right answer" to Ovarian Cancer treatments.

I am surprised that with no cancer showing on the PET that he would suggest any treatment.

Jeanie

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• By AJ70
• Posted June 23, 2009 at 8:18 am
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Hi Terry. I was dx with ovarian cancer stage 1a (so blessed!) and also uterine cancer stage 2b. So after chemo for ovarian (was partly clear cell) I needed radiation for uterine because it had spread to the cervix (which they removed) and they radiated the lymph nodes in that area "just in case" and also I had two internal radiation treatments to treat the vaginal vault - to make sure it didn't return to vaginal cuff.....

I am two months out of radiation. Had 25 external, and 2 internal. (Brachytherapy) What kind would you be having - would they be doing internal for vaginal cuff? If so - that doesn't damage the bone marrow so much as it is only radiating the one spot. It also doesn't have as many physical side effects as external radiation to the pelvis. From what I was told - doesn't effect the bowel or bladder like external does.

The external can cause long term damage to bowel and bladder, etc......plus yes, some bone marrow damage as it radiates the whole area. But - I had mild bowel distress during - just had to watch what I ate, and bladder spasms - felt like I had to urinate all the time - but cranberry juice helped. And now - two months out - both are fine. Seems I have no long-term effects.......say a prayer that this is true! The fatigue has been the hardest thing to take. I had a lot of fatigue and strange feeling while in radiation. Weak. Some nausea. But I was able to be much more active than I was during chemo. It wasn't sooo bad. Honestly. Fatigue now, after the fact, continues. It is off and on and I really have to pace myself.......which is hard to do in the summer! But if I don't........I crash.

Oh - with internal radiation - you have to use a dilator after for a few months - as scar tissue can build up and narrow your vaginal canal........it is a pain to remember to do........but has to be done........

So that is my experience with it all...............

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• By AMG
• Posted June 23, 2009 at 9:35 am
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Hi Terry,
I had radiation back in 2001 to my pelvic region to prevent the disease (peritoneal cancer) from returning, after I found a lump in my right groin which was resected. I never even got a PET scan at that time, so the rational was for "prevention". They made special lead blocks to supposedly protect my other parts from damage. The "radiation" experience itself wasn't too bad, other than some evidence of raw skin on my backside, and some burning with urination (remember that the radiation is burning from the inside out), however...
about 5 months later I had a small bowel obstruction as a result of the radiation damage, and needed small bowel bypass surgery which has left me lactose intolerant, B12 deficient, and pretty limited in my diet overall.(Digestion occurs more quickly when your bowels have been shortened).
also, the cancer returned in the same area about 5 years later (but who knows it may have been there sooner since I was never given a PET scan).
At this point you can check my profile to see where I am at in treatment.
Some oncologists won't outwardly disagree with another oncologist's methods, but I did go to a well respected oncologist for the small bowel bypass surgery (2002) and he said it was a shame they did radiation on me at the age I was at that time (33 year old) due to the likihood of longterm damage it would cause.
I hate to be "negative", but I would strongly recommend a 2nd opinion from an oncologist in a different practice group. (Oncologists within the same group are not likely to disagree with each other).
Good Luck
~AMG

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• By racewife
• Posted June 24, 2009 at 5:40 pm
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I just finished 14 radiation treatments to my pelvic region for several tumors, one of which was on my vaginal cuff. I had been having bleeding. I experienced a loss of appetite, fatigue, anemia, diarrhea. I felt better 30 days after the last treatment but the radiation onc says flashback side effects are common for years. My last CT scan shows that the treatment was successful. I am still receiving chemo for stage IV ovarian. The radiation was worse than the chemo but worth it to me.

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