radiotherapy

[holly247]

My ex wife ( still friends ) suffers from a very bad type of diverticulitis . She is now having a course of fractional radiotherapy .Is this used for this disease ? I can only find it referenced for cancer . My worry is that she has been diagnosed with cancer and is either in denial or not trying to worry myself and our children ( grown up ).

[Buenchico]

Statement number 1:
I have absolutely no expertise whatsoever in such matters.

Statement number 2:
It is not my intent to worry you.

However, here's the 'Treatment' page from the NHS website, dealing with diverticulitis:
http://www.nhs.uk/Con.../Pages/Treatment.aspx
You'll see that it makes no reference to radiotherapy and, with my very limited knowledge of such things, I can't think of any way that radiotherapy could be of any use in treating diverticulitis. That view seems to be backed up by the NHS pages dealing with radiotherapy:
http://www.nhs.uk/con...ges/introduction.aspx

Regrettably, I fear that your worries may not be unfounded.

Chris

PS: If 'Sqad' posts on this thread, his views should be taken as about a zillion times more important than mine, because he's a doctor.

[tinkerbell23]

How awful, i too looked quickly as id never heard of radiotherapy for this, but couldnt see it being used. I too hope sqad mabye can help...hope we are all wrong though xx

[NazNomad]

I've been sitting here for half an hour thinking of the best way to type this, but I can't, so ...

I shall quote, "Radiotherapy isn't used to treat diverticulitis". That's from somebody that has seen a lot of diverticulitis sufferers (inside & out).

You fear she may be trying to protect you and the children, but she's told you about the radiotherapy, so that part doesn't make sense. Your obviously capable of joining the dots, as it were.

[Sqad]

Radiotherapy plays no part in the treatment or management of diverticulosis of the colon.

You final statement in you original post is almost certainly correct and she certainly has malignant disease of the lower abdomen, probably colon.

[tinkerbell23]

Holly...do keep us posted i hope eveythings ok :0(

[holly247]

Thank you everyone for your input . It seems there is a growth which the hospital is tackling with radiotherapy. My wife assures me it is not cancererous and the treatment is preventative .I have spoken to someone who informs me that with the severe diverticulitis present this is a procedure used to eradicate other abnormalities in the colon albeit rarely used . Thanks once again i will keep you posted

[Mamyalynne]

Hope all goes well.