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Severe Problems with SRT wounds healing.

Cancer: Managing Symptoms | Last Active: May 2 10:05am | Replies (5)
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@johninocalaflorida

Thomas,

Thanks for your reply...at least I know I am not the only one that has experienced this "insanity".

I chose SRT be cause I had good experience with it on other parts of my leg and wanted to avoid the cutting and "gymnastics" associated with Moh's.

I think a big part of the problem that I am having is due to 1) Lack of training of the staff that treated me, 2) Lack of supervision and 3) the Provider/Location that I went to for SRT had recently been sold to a large out of state firm that brought in staff that I did not know and were not familiar with the procedures and equipment they were using.

I really never felt comfortable with the whole process. Hind sight being 20/20 I should have pulled the plug on this early on...but I trusted my Dr's/Staff. I have to remember to follow my gut.

How long did it take you to reach a final resolution? I have been dealing with this for over a year and it has disrupted my life.

Thanks for your advice and concern.

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Replies to "Thomas, Thanks for your reply...at least I know I am not the only one that has..."
thomasgrove | @thomasgrove | May 2 10:05am

John,

I found the treatment of SRT induced wounds to be subjective and difficult. I obtained a copy of Sensus' Operating Manual (DRC-2016-012922), it states: “Clinicians should therefore be aware that exceeding 500 cGy per fraction in areas of low vascularity could lead to perforation of the lysosome membrane and the deposit of enzymes into the cytoplasm, resulting in cell death. This is a particular concern on lower limbs, where slow healing process is evident due to dermal shutdown" (page 63).

I had nearly lost hope that I would ever heal. I had a normal Pulse Volume Recording (PVR) and a vascular surgeon doppler study showing I did not have circulatory issues in my leg and no circulatory back-wash. A baseline test was taken in the hyperbaric chamber called a Transcutaneous Oxygen Study (T-COM), 0.9 mmHg Regional Perfusion Index, which was extremely low. This indicated damage caused by radiation to the tissue, similar to the statement in the Sensus Operating Manual.

I completed the hyperbaric (HBO) treatments in October 2022. In February 2023, 11-months after my last SRT treatment and 3-1/2 months after HBO, the wound slowly started to shrink. Once this started, it took about 4 more weeks before the Wound Center was willing to release me.

In total, my Squamous Cell lesion resulted in 117 visits to the Doctor. I have attached some photos showing the progression of the wound injury, which I included in my Patient Adverse Event filing with Food and Drug Administration.

The debridement's were extremely painful and the daily regime of applying the dressings to the wound was a hassle. Hopefully, you will see some improvement and can look forward to having a normal hot shower without having to keep your leg dry.

I have you in my thoughts.

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