Radiation and Cancer

Posted by gamaryanne @gamaryanne, Aug 2 9:18am

Many of us on this journey have CT scans every 3 months to monitor shrinkage or new “developments”. In addition, SBRT is often added as a Targeting solution for stubborn metastase. Once declared NED, scans are lengthened to 6 month intervals at some point.
Is there evidence that these frequent scans are inducing cancer spread long term?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Pancreatic Cancer Support Group.

56pan | @56pan | Aug 8 7:45am

In reply to @mcharlesfrancis "73" + (show)

Thank you for your time and the info.

Turkey, Volunteer Mentor | @tomrennie | Aug 11 3:44pm

In reply to @optoboy "What/how parameters were in place for you to choose a stage 2 treatment?" + (show)

Hi @optoboy. Welcome to Mayo Connect. I am not sure that I understand your question. Can you please elaborate? Thanks.

optoboy | @optoboy | Aug 11 5:00pm

In short, in one year I've gone from cancer free to stage 4 and given a year to live. How can that be? My oncologist has written me off and has not offered any kind of alternatives. So I'm searching for help. I've studied Envita's targeted therapy but can't afford 250k. Proton therapy is not a solution. Looking for help.

Turkey, Volunteer Mentor | @tomrennie | Aug 11 5:05pm

In reply to @optoboy "In short, in one year I've gone from cancer free to stage 4 and given a..." + (show)

What did you specifically get diagnosed with by the oncologist? No treatments were suggested?

gamaryanne | @gamaryanne | Aug 11 7:40pm

In reply to @optoboy "In short, in one year I've gone from cancer free to stage 4 and given a..." + (show)

This is very unusual. Can you elaborate where your cancer is showing?

gamaryanne | @gamaryanne | Aug 11 8:28pm

In reply to @optoboy "In short, in one year I've gone from cancer free to stage 4 and given a..." + (show)

I must add that many of us have been in your shoes.
My dx was 11/2021, stage IV.
Told the same thing…

marienewland | @mnewland99 | Aug 12 1:58am

In reply to @optoboy "In short, in one year I've gone from cancer free to stage 4 and given a..." + (show)

Treatment is best formulated by knowing your mutations. Do you mind sharing with the group what they are so that we can share what we did for treatment and how it may have or have not helped?

199 | @199 | Aug 12 8:56am

In reply to @optoboy "In short, in one year I've gone from cancer free to stage 4 and given a..." + (show)

I went from being told stage 1 to stage 4 in less than 1 month back in 2022. Given 2-3 months without treatment & one year with treatment. (This was at a prominent cancer center). Met my "local" oncologist 2 days after that prognosis & am still alive on Gemczar & Abraxane. Where are you located? That may help others help you. I live in Georgia, USA.

optoboy | @optoboy | Aug 12 9:28am

In reply to @199 "I went from being told stage 1 to stage 4 in less than 1 month back..." + (show)

I too live in GA and get treatments via Wellstar. I am treated with combo gemcitabine & abraxaine. Don't have a clue if its the right chemo mix or not. Looked into Proton therapy via Emory and was told by both an oncolgist and a radiation speialist I was not a candidate. Don't know where to turn now.

gamaryanne | @gamaryanne | Aug 13 6:53am

In reply to @optoboy "I too live in GA and get treatments via Wellstar. I am treated with combo gemcitabine..." + (show)

I am in Georgia. I know many Pcan patients in the state and nearby. You are clearly with the wrong doctor. Sometimes we have to make tough decisions and go outside our box for other opinions. It’s time consuming but it is worth it!

Pls DM on how we can speak . Perhaps I can be of help. Not being located in the southwest or northeast does make it more difficult to find great physicians in this area, but there are some.