Short Term (5 Days) Radiation - Side Effects?

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rwightman
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Joined: Sat Jan 17, 2015 6:50 pm
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Short Term (5 Days) Radiation - Side Effects?

Postby rwightman » Fri Aug 03, 2018 10:51 pm

I just had a met removed from my right pelvic side wall. The surgeon said he successfully removed the entire tumor but he did not have much space to work in because it was close to the uretha. He is not confident he got good margins so is recommending short term radiation to prevent potential recurrence.

Question for those who have had pelvic radiation. Is there a difference in side effects for short course therapy vs. a longer term therapy. What questions should I ask. I am fearful of what I have read about vaginal stenosis. Does the location of the radiation determine where side effects occur. Honestly, I am not even sure where the right pelvic side wall is.

Has anyone had pelvic radiation with no problems?

I am freaked out and looking for any feedback and questions to ask before I embark on this next journey. My surgeon doesn't believe I will have any side effects but I have read enough stories here to know that many doctors said no side effects and that was not the reality.

Thanks in advance for any advice.
Last edited by rwightman on Wed Aug 08, 2018 8:59 pm, edited 1 time in total.
10/9/14 DX Age 50 - MSS
10/23/14 - Colon Resection - Stage II - 0/15 lympth nodes
12/30/14 - Stage IV - 1 liver met 2cc - Liver Resection - No lymph nodes and margins clear
3/10/15 - peri mets
3/15 - Folfox with Avastin - 7 tx
7/15 - HIPEC - 2 peri mets
10/14 - resection of abdominal met
11/12 - 5FU

Lee
Posts: 6207
Joined: Sun Apr 16, 2006 4:09 pm

Re: Question for those who have had Pelvic Radiation - Proton Therapy?

Postby Lee » Wed Aug 08, 2018 1:57 pm

Sorry no one has responded to you yet. Can you talk to a radiation doctor and get there input. Yes radiation can have side effects, I suffer from some of those side effects, butt please understand a lot of advancements have been made since I had radiation over 14 years ago.

Short term radiation hopefully will not cause the side effect that regular radiation does.

good luck,

Lee
rectal cancer - April 2004
46 yrs old at diagnoses
stage III C - 6/13 lymph positive
radiation - 6 weeks
surgery - August 2004/hernia repair 2014
permanent colostomy
chemo - FOLFOX
NED - 16 years and counting!

Phillypatient
Posts: 43
Joined: Sun Aug 05, 2018 11:28 am

Re: Question for those who have had Pelvic Radiation - Proton Therapy?

Postby Phillypatient » Wed Aug 08, 2018 6:50 pm

I'm not sure of the question, but I did have Proton Radiation instead of the standard for my low rectal cancer. It is considered more precise and less damaging to surrounding tissues. Most of the other patients in the waiting room were there for brain/ocular/prostate tumors. I hope that helps answer your question to some extent.
Male 48, dx 10/16 rectal cancer t3n1m0
Chemorad Dec 16
Xelox Mar 17-Jul 17
Lar Sept 17
Reversal Dec 17

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rwightman
Posts: 211
Joined: Sat Jan 17, 2015 6:50 pm
Location: Southwest

Re: Question for those who have had Pelvic R - Proton Therapy?

Postby rwightman » Wed Aug 08, 2018 8:58 pm

Thank you for your responses. My doctor told me short therapy would have no side effects but i have read of so many people that seem to have many radiation side effects. Actually curious as to those who have had 5 days of radiation and what their side effects are.

@phillypatient - Did you have side effects with the short term therapy.
10/9/14 DX Age 50 - MSS
10/23/14 - Colon Resection - Stage II - 0/15 lympth nodes
12/30/14 - Stage IV - 1 liver met 2cc - Liver Resection - No lymph nodes and margins clear
3/10/15 - peri mets
3/15 - Folfox with Avastin - 7 tx
7/15 - HIPEC - 2 peri mets
10/14 - resection of abdominal met
11/12 - 5FU

Gravelyguy
Posts: 382
Joined: Thu Jul 05, 2018 6:03 pm

Re: Short Term (5 Days) Radiation - Side Effects?

Postby Gravelyguy » Wed Aug 08, 2018 10:00 pm

I also had short course proton beam radiation just prior to surgery. No real side effects to report. They told me beforehand that I would be tired but the fatigue from the lar surgery and liver resection would mask it. I actually felt pretty good and was discharged in three days.

Hope this helps,

Dave
6/17 dx mRC t3n1m1 very low rectal tumor 2 liver Mets 1.3 cm and .9 cm

6/17 begin 4 rounds Folfox w/Vectibix
9/17 short course radiation
10/17 rectal and liver resection LAR with coloanal anastomosis (no rectum left)
11/17-3/18 8 rounds Folfox
6/18 still NED!! Takedown
8/28/18 still NED! CEA .8 new low for me
10/18/18 colonoscopy clear
12/12/18 CEA .9 still NED!
6/11/19 CEA 1.0
12/19/19 CEA 1.0 still NED!
6/17/20 CEA 1.1 still NED!
12/15/20 CEA 1.1still NED!
12/16/21 CEA 1.2 still NED!

AppleTree
Posts: 267
Joined: Fri Mar 18, 2016 8:16 am

Re: Short Term (5 Days) Radiation - Side Effects?

Postby AppleTree » Thu Aug 09, 2018 3:28 am

I had 5 weeks of radiation, but kept notes on this board about how I was feeling each week. Maybe something in there would help you.

I would buy some depends and gentle wet wipes to have on hand just in case you get diareah. But, I am not even sure you would get that.

The thing to remember is that once the radiation treatments stop, the radiation itself keeps working away for awhile. So, if you do develop symptoms, they will not go away as soon as the radiation stops.
Diag Feb 5, 2016 Age 45
3 cm tumor 5 cm from verge
Radiation + Xeloda pills - 3000mg 5x week
3/14 - 4/16 - 25 sessions
Shrank just over 50% L nodes 0/13
Remove rectum with temp Ileo 6/17
Reversal 7/20 due to infection
Acute hepatitis August. Chemo cancelled
June to September 2016 - 58 days in hospital

2017
6/16, MRI shadow in lung
Pet - 6.6mm Met in Upper R lobe
7/30 VAT surgery Mass General/Boston
8/24 port
8/30 - 4/28 Folfox. 12 rounds
2018
June CT shows new lung Mets.
July/Oct PETs...CLEAR!

Phillypatient
Posts: 43
Joined: Sun Aug 05, 2018 11:28 am

Re: Short Term (5 Days) Radiation - Side Effects?

Postby Phillypatient » Thu Aug 09, 2018 9:25 am

I did the entire 25 days of radiation with proton beam. Honestly did not feel a thing until the last week or so, but only when having a bowel movement because, quite honestly, it burns the area slightly like all radiation. Otherwise I did not notice anything at all. And even then, the burning stopped a week after I stopped the radiation. I still worked, went to hot yoga, played with the kids, etc everyday and my energy levels were relatively high. I found the radiation piece to be the easiest part of the treatment. And remember, the Proton therapy was designed for highly sensitive areas like the brain, eyes, prostate, to be extremely precise.
I hope that helps
Male 48, dx 10/16 rectal cancer t3n1m0
Chemorad Dec 16
Xelox Mar 17-Jul 17
Lar Sept 17
Reversal Dec 17

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rwightman
Posts: 211
Joined: Sat Jan 17, 2015 6:50 pm
Location: Southwest

Re: Short Term (5 Days) Radiation - Side Effects?

Postby rwightman » Fri Aug 10, 2018 12:45 am

Thank you everyone. I am feeling much better about this!
10/9/14 DX Age 50 - MSS
10/23/14 - Colon Resection - Stage II - 0/15 lympth nodes
12/30/14 - Stage IV - 1 liver met 2cc - Liver Resection - No lymph nodes and margins clear
3/10/15 - peri mets
3/15 - Folfox with Avastin - 7 tx
7/15 - HIPEC - 2 peri mets
10/14 - resection of abdominal met
11/12 - 5FU

Canada777
Posts: 62
Joined: Mon Mar 28, 2016 6:24 pm

Re: Short Term (5 Days) Radiation - Side Effects?

Postby Canada777 » Sat Aug 11, 2018 10:47 am

Just wanted to chime in. DH was told to do 5 days of radiation prior to surgery to remove a pelvic spot. He did it last week. Not many symptoms at all since then. Some tiredness the following week and that's been it so far!
DH dx. Stage 4 Colon cancer with Peri mets Dec '15 @ age 29
12 Rounds FOLFOX & then successful HIPEC in 2016. Diagnosis changed to appendix cancer.
Recurrence to pelvis 9 months later.
Years of chemo.
At rest. Sept 2021.

User avatar
rwightman
Posts: 211
Joined: Sat Jan 17, 2015 6:50 pm
Location: Southwest

Re: Short Term (5 Days) Radiation - Side Effects?

Postby rwightman » Thu Aug 23, 2018 10:16 am

@Canada777

Wanted to check back in with you to see if your DH has experienced any new symptoms. I was told it could be a few weeks after treatment. Hoping not!
10/9/14 DX Age 50 - MSS
10/23/14 - Colon Resection - Stage II - 0/15 lympth nodes
12/30/14 - Stage IV - 1 liver met 2cc - Liver Resection - No lymph nodes and margins clear
3/10/15 - peri mets
3/15 - Folfox with Avastin - 7 tx
7/15 - HIPEC - 2 peri mets
10/14 - resection of abdominal met
11/12 - 5FU

lakeswim
Posts: 229
Joined: Sat Mar 31, 2018 9:37 am

Re: Short Term (5 Days) Radiation - Side Effects?

Postby lakeswim » Thu Aug 23, 2018 7:24 pm

AppleTree - Can you please point me to your notes on your 5 weeks of radiation? I am on Round 6 of 8 chemo, so radiation will start in October. Most of what I have read about radiation (esp for women - with the vaginal stenosis) is a nightmare (diarrhea, etc.) and I'd like to read your posts. Thanks.
Female - RC dgns @ 49 y
Adenocarcinoma
10-11 cm from anal verge ("large")
Stage 3a - T4N0M0
FOLFOX May -Sept 18
Capecetabine + Radiation - 28 sessions - Oct - Nov 18
Jan 19 - MRI & flex sig show tumor gone, Chest/ab CT no change
Feb 19 - MRI & flex sig show tumor gone
W&W (must travel)
.....W&W surveillance 2019,2020,2021,2022,2023....
Jan 24 - approaching 5 years this Spring with W&W surveillance to end.
*grateful*

Steph20021
Posts: 553
Joined: Sat Dec 27, 2014 4:58 pm
Location: Ontario, Canada

Re: Short Term (5 Days) Radiation - Side Effects?

Postby Steph20021 » Sat Aug 25, 2018 10:12 pm

I had pelvic radiation for about 5 days and the only possible side effect i have is that sometimes I bleed when I urinate, but they think that could also be caused by my blood thinner. I also have some pelvic cramping but not sure if that’s from the radiation. That’s it! It was fairly harmless, I don’t recall any fatigue.
DX 1/31/14 @ 33- SPS-T4a(invades visceral peri), N2a(6/106 LN), M1a(ovary) (Stage 4a) MSS; BRAF V600E
2/1/14-subtotal col, lost R ovary, temp ileo
3/14-9/14- folfox; sepsis
11/14-CT/PET: L ovary met, pelvic met, (?)ghost liver met(?)
12/14-folfiri -13 rds kept me stable from 3/15-6/15
8/15-HIPEC, NED
09/15- cea 0.9
05/16- recurrence in abdo wall and lymph nodes
01/17- pulmonary embolism
02/17- 1 wk radiation to abdo wall
08/16- on folfiri
01/18-folfox
11/18- Beacon trial-encorafenib & cetuximab

User avatar
rwightman
Posts: 211
Joined: Sat Jan 17, 2015 6:50 pm
Location: Southwest

Re: Short Term (5 Days) Radiation - Side Effects?

Postby rwightman » Mon Aug 27, 2018 8:45 pm

@Steph20021

Thank you so much for your sharing your experience. That makes me feel so much better. I looked at your signature. Are you on chemo for the lymph nodes? Did the radiation get rid of the abdominal wall tumor?
10/9/14 DX Age 50 - MSS
10/23/14 - Colon Resection - Stage II - 0/15 lympth nodes
12/30/14 - Stage IV - 1 liver met 2cc - Liver Resection - No lymph nodes and margins clear
3/10/15 - peri mets
3/15 - Folfox with Avastin - 7 tx
7/15 - HIPEC - 2 peri mets
10/14 - resection of abdominal met
11/12 - 5FU

Canada777
Posts: 62
Joined: Mon Mar 28, 2016 6:24 pm

Re: Short Term (5 Days) Radiation - Side Effects?

Postby Canada777 » Mon Aug 27, 2018 9:25 pm

To answer your question...nothing new has developed other than some hair loss to the small area that was radiated (pelvic area)

He' s feeling back to nornal again :)
DH dx. Stage 4 Colon cancer with Peri mets Dec '15 @ age 29
12 Rounds FOLFOX & then successful HIPEC in 2016. Diagnosis changed to appendix cancer.
Recurrence to pelvis 9 months later.
Years of chemo.
At rest. Sept 2021.

Steph20021
Posts: 553
Joined: Sat Dec 27, 2014 4:58 pm
Location: Ontario, Canada

Re: Short Term (5 Days) Radiation - Side Effects?

Postby Steph20021 » Mon Aug 27, 2018 10:26 pm

Hi rwightman,
My first 5 rounds of radiation were for my abdominal wall and it didn’t get rid of it, it was mostly to try and help with pain as it’s growing into my muscle. The more recent 5 rounds we’re to pelvis to deal with some small spots where my small intestine meets my rectum. Also to try and help with pain we thought might be caused by that area.
The chemo is to help with the lymph nodes, as well as the abdomen wall met and the lower small intestine mets at my connection site.
My last CT scan showed mixed results so I may be done with chemo soon and moving to clinical trials. This is my last line of chemo. Fingers crossed. I get my recent CT results Thursday!
Cheers
Steph

rwightman wrote:@Steph20021

Thank you so much for your sharing your experience. That makes me feel so much better. I looked at your signature. Are you on chemo for the lymph nodes? Did the radiation get rid of the abdominal wall tumor?
DX 1/31/14 @ 33- SPS-T4a(invades visceral peri), N2a(6/106 LN), M1a(ovary) (Stage 4a) MSS; BRAF V600E
2/1/14-subtotal col, lost R ovary, temp ileo
3/14-9/14- folfox; sepsis
11/14-CT/PET: L ovary met, pelvic met, (?)ghost liver met(?)
12/14-folfiri -13 rds kept me stable from 3/15-6/15
8/15-HIPEC, NED
09/15- cea 0.9
05/16- recurrence in abdo wall and lymph nodes
01/17- pulmonary embolism
02/17- 1 wk radiation to abdo wall
08/16- on folfiri
01/18-folfox
11/18- Beacon trial-encorafenib & cetuximab


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