Eleda wrote:Good luck Anne,,,,
U'll be fine,,,,,
For me that was not too bad so hopefully will be the same for u..........
Fingers crossed for u
ADELE X
Eleda wrote:I don't know what I would have done myself Anne without this forum this past few months.
Such educated people with balanced and reseherched information and impartial advice that's priceless only willing to help in any way....
All our experience are valuable to others behind,,,
All hopefully of a good outcome for each other
ADELE X
lakeswim wrote:Stopping in to say thanks for this topic. I am nearing the end of my 8 rounds of FOLFOX (at least I hope I am - I have 2 rounds left) and I'm already thinking ahead to radiation and what fresh hell that will bring. Given I had some extreme constipation during one round (which was absolute torture and nearly put me in the ER), I don't want to even imagine what exquisite pain radiation will bring to BMs. And thinking of other side effects . . . I am already lining up my pelvic floor specialists to discuss vaginal stenosis. Good to know you fine folks are here with lots of empathy and good advice. Thank you!
BTW, I believe I will get more 5FU (as a pill, daily) during my radiation. I assume this will come with its own digestive issues? (5FU is hard enough on my stomach with the pump).
Thanks!
weisssoccermom wrote:I should have also added that radiation is given for two main reasons. The one that everyone is aware of is to shrink the tumor. The other, just as important reason, is to 'sterilize' the lymph field around the rectum. Don't forget that that is equally important. While patients are given chemo with the radiation, the dosage of chemo is much less than when a patient has chemo by itself. In other words, you can't reliably count on the chemo during radiation to eradicate stray cancer cells. Sure the chemo helps but the majority of the work to help insure that cancer cells that may be in the lymphatic system (remember no radiological tests.....ultrasound, CT or MRI) is done by the radiation...and NOT the chemo. (Remember that no ultrasound, MRI or CT scan with respect to local lymph nodes is 100% guaranteed).
weisssoccermom wrote:I only said that radiation kills (or at least it is supposed to) the cancer in the FIELD of the radiation. In other words, radiation is used to help sterilize the nodes around the rectum. It certainly would NOT have any effect on distant lymph nodes that were outside of the field of radiation. In addition, many people with suspicious lymph nodes in areas that are amenable to radiation (not necessarily those related to rectal cancer) have their nodes 'zapped' by radiation. Some areas simply cannot be zapped....due to their location. Talk to your oncologist and ask the questions. It's not at all uncommon for radiation to be used to treat certain lymph nodes.
With rectal cancer, again it is only those nodes, located IN the pelvis and IN the radiation field that might benefit from radiation. There are certainly people....some on this board who have had radiation for rectal cancer and still have positive nodes after surgery...so no, it is not a guarantee that radiation will eradicate all pelvic lymph nodes.
Eleda wrote:I had 6 LN effected, and after radiation 1 still remained so was removed within the musorectal envelope during surgery,,,
Yes Ann they can see the reaction to the radiation but it continues to work for weeks after, I think the peek ( no more shrinking after this time) time after radiation is 17weeks from day one
Also 28 is actually the normal amount of sessions, and it much depends on the amount of grey in each radiation session
Is it Ur urethra stinging Anne??
Or where exactly???
If u could be more specific people will be able to help,,,,,
ADELE x
Return to “Colon Talk - Colon cancer (colorectal cancer) support forum”
Users browsing this forum: roadrunner and 151 guests