radiation & chemo (Sp)

[bill preston]

if you have recently had radiation treatment for cancer and it unfortunately comes back can they offer chemotherapy? they had the radiation in July/august time? i ask this because the person involved got her results on Monday and the specialist said that radiation was out of the picture again but as you can imagine they were in so much shock they forgot to ask about chemo and they don't see him again until Monday?

[China Doll]

Is it a re-treatment of the same area the cancer was in before?

[China Doll]

Actually, thinking about it... you can be treated with chemotherapy if you're a palliative patient so yes I think it could be treated with chemotherapy again. ALthough possibly not using the same prescription as before but I'm not certain of that.

The reason I asked about the Re-treat was because I wondered why Radiotherapy wouldn't be an option.

[bill preston]

hi thanks for the answer, she had an operation for mouth cancer which we thought was successful but she has now been told after a scan last week that she has a tumor behind her eye and in her cheekbone, they gave her an MRI yesterday and she gets the results and an answer to what they can do for her on Monday?

[China Doll]

If she's having an MRI then I'd guess they were looking to see how far it's spread and the size. Is it the same tumor or two different ones?

So she had an operation to remove the mouth cancer? Was this then followed with concurrent radiotherapy and chemotherapy?

Do you know why Radiotherapy is completely out of the question?

I don't know what to say really with regards to what they'll be able to do for her. It depends on the severity of the cancer, if it's treatable and if it's not treatable whether they can just stop it spreading. I'm really sorry I'm not able to be much more help than that but I'm not actually clinical myself.

[bill preston]

she had what we thought was a successful operation to remove the mouth cancer then she had a course of radiation treatment.

its only been about a month or two since the radiation, i don't know why they have ruled out the radiation again but they told her it was not an option?

[China Doll]

It might be too soon afterwards or too close to the area that was previously treated. I don't know very much about cancer of the eye either so I don't how that would be treated. Maybe it's not a good area for Radiotherapy? I couldn't say for sure.

The long and short of it is that chemotherapy could be used but it is really going to depend on the type of cancer (how aggressive it is) and I'm afraid whether or not it's treatable in the first instance.

Has the Oncologist hinted at anything at all?

I'm sorry, I don't think I'm being much help really.

[bill preston]

china doll your being very helpful in the idea's your giving me and when i see her tonight we can talk about options.

in all honesty it's not looking to good but we are praying for a happy outcome!

[cruella]

Hi bill
So sorry to hear your story.
Chemo can be given but it all depends on the type of cancer involved.
Probably too soon to have more radiotherapy or maybe it just did not work.
I am going through pretty much the same thing just now with my Hubby, so I can empathise with you.
Why not go to your search engine and just type in chemotherapy for say, eyes, mouth etc.
It will give you lots of answers and you may be able to understand the treatment a bit better.
Good Luck.

[China Doll]

It might be better to wait and see what the Oncologist has to say first before discussing options as I guess you won't really have all the facts.

If things are very bleak do make sure you ask about the side effects of any treatment like chemotherapy. Chemo and Radiotherpay do offer benefits but they're long term and both can make you feel pretty lousy in the short term. If (and I really hope this is not the case) there is not much of a short term to speak of, see what else they can do.

Good Luck and I reallly hope this works out for you both. If I can be of any help at all again please leave a thread here or use the PMing service on SAB.

[VillageVicar]

From my own experience, I think I understand the doctor's reply. It may be that they will try Chemo next rather than radiation. However, the location of the cancer makes it very challenging. I'm sure they're checking to see whether there has been further growth.

It's a challenging time Bill and I'd say, regardless, being there as a friend is one of the greatest things you can do!

Friends have certainly helped me!

I wish your friend and you well

Fr Bill

[O'Reilly]

from family experience I also can understand the Doctor's reply and I totally agree with Father Bill.

I think there are limits (medically and also time wise) concerning a double dose of radiation and how the patient responded to the initial treatment. It also depends on the "severity" of what has been found and also the location. It is not unusual to follow radiation with chemo therapy but as has been said, being there as a friend is one of the greatest things that you can do and often aids any treatment.

[bill preston]

thanks for all your answers guys!

the person involved is the mother in law!!

[cruella]

bill,
Hope you get some good news next week.
Take care. x

[Aprilis]

It could also be possible that radiotherapy would irreversably damage any delicate tissue such as that of the eyeball or the optic nerve. Her cheekbone will no doubt be close the site of the original radiotherapy treatment and is also very close to the eye.

Just a thought.

[Aprilis]

I am sure the subject of chemo will be raised when your MiL visits the Oncologist on Monday. They are sure to offer chemo if it's an option or alternatively explain why it's not.

I too hope that there's a happy outcome for her. My best wishes to you and your family.

[VillageVicar]

Bill, could you kindly provide me with your mother in law's first name please? I would like to add her to my 'list.'

Please do let us know next week, whatever way the circumstances may go,

I wish you all peace

Fr Bill

[gelda]

Father Bill, could you add me to your list as well please, I'm suffering with bone and breast cancer and could do with a little boost so to speak ! My name is Pat. Thankyou.

[bill preston]

hi father bill, her name is Valery.

pat.......... god bless you. xx

[gelda]

Thankyou Bill, it really helps to know somebody cares.

[China Doll]

How did it go?