When I received 6 weeks of radiation in the early 80's I was told not to get the area wet so I would not burn, therefore I took an old fashion sink bath for the next 6 weeks. I did not experience any burning. Fortunately the area radiated was not where it would receive any water. However, the internal damage did not show up for 20 years. The lower left quadrant of my abdomen was the area that was radiated. A small section of my bladder, sigmoid and small intestine received most of the radiation. (The left groin lymph node was the targeted area and the radiation worked.) I now have a third kidney, 10 years, because the bladder was hit with the radiation and an ostomy, 4 years, as well as a third of my GI track removed since the sigmoid and small intestines received a full dose of the radiation. The doctors did not expect me to live as long as I have and things have changed so much because of improvements made in the last 40 years when it comes to chemo and radiation. I have no regrets what I have been through if it made the radiated areas smaller and more intense for those who receive it today.
Sorry, I was not able to help with what to do from radiation burns but I hope that what I was able to share was informative and helped a small amount. Good luck.
mlmcg
Hi, I'm the wife of a cancer head/throat cancer. When my husband started get the radiation burns, he used Aquaphor. We went through tons of tubes, but we found that if you kept them in the refrigerator it helped with cooling down the site faster. My husband also found it was easier for him to sleep in his recliner then laying down in bed. Even tho we are done with chem/radiation so far, he hasn't' returned to sleeping in the bed yet. We go next week for a PT Scan and cancer doctor followup on Fri to see if the cancer is still there and treatment worked.
I had radiation burns from colon cancer treatment. Dr started me with aquafor [didn't work well], then prescribed silver sulfadiazine cream [SSD] .In between I used vaseline, which might not have helped heal burns, but felt pretty soothing. Best of luck
Miaderm or Miaderm-L (with lidocaine) worked great. My radiation oncoligist's nurse game me samples and then I ordered full size tubes online - http://www.Miaderm.com or through Amazon.
I had radiation burns from colon cancer treatment. Dr started me with aquafor [didn't work well], then prescribed silver sulfadiazine cream [SSD] .In between I used vaseline, which might not have helped heal burns, but felt pretty soothing. Best of luck
My husband received very high dosages of radiation (5 days/week for 6 weeks) for base of tongue and lymph node cancer in his neck in the summer of 2017.The skin burns were very significant. May I pass along a treatment suggested by our radiation oncology nurse. Take 1 part white vinegar mixed with 4 parts water, soak a white cotton cloth and wring out excess ( I cut up men's white 100% cotton t-shirts). Place on burnt area for 15 minutes, remove and let area air dry. I am not lying...it does sting!!!, but gets better! Then liberally apply 1% Silver Sulfadiazine Cream (prescription). Do this 4 times a day. Be sure you use very clean cloths and a clean shirt every time. Within 3 weeks burns were completely healed. Check with your radiation oncologist before using this. Our nurse has 25 years of experience in this field and knows a lot of "out of the box" treatments. Aquaphor was no help for him. Good luck!
My husband received very high dosages of radiation (5 days/week for 6 weeks) for base of tongue and lymph node cancer in his neck in the summer of 2017.The skin burns were very significant. May I pass along a treatment suggested by our radiation oncology nurse. Take 1 part white vinegar mixed with 4 parts water, soak a white cotton cloth and wring out excess ( I cut up men's white 100% cotton t-shirts). Place on burnt area for 15 minutes, remove and let area air dry. I am not lying...it does sting!!!, but gets better! Then liberally apply 1% Silver Sulfadiazine Cream (prescription). Do this 4 times a day. Be sure you use very clean cloths and a clean shirt every time. Within 3 weeks burns were completely healed. Check with your radiation oncologist before using this. Our nurse has 25 years of experience in this field and knows a lot of "out of the box" treatments. Aquaphor was no help for him. Good luck!
Hi @pigpen50 and @margieinia, I see that this discussion encouraged each of you to make your first post on Connect. Your experiences with your husbands' cancer of the base of the tongue will be helpful to members of the Head & Neck Cancer group (https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/head-neck-cancer/). In fact, I'd like to invite you to take part in these discussions:
I had radiation burns from colon cancer treatment. Dr started me with aquafor [didn't work well], then prescribed silver sulfadiazine cream [SSD] .In between I used vaseline, which might not have helped heal burns, but felt pretty soothing. Best of luck
Hi @pigpen50 and @margieinia, I see that this discussion encouraged each of you to make your first post on Connect. Your experiences with your husbands' cancer of the base of the tongue will be helpful to members of the Head & Neck Cancer group (https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/head-neck-cancer/). In fact, I'd like to invite you to take part in these discussions:
Thank you for asking. This afternoon my husband is now in remission! The doctors will follow him closely the next 5 years and if the cancer does not return then he will be cancer free. It was very interesting to hear that the reason they follow him so closely for 5 years is because this type of cancer is the type that if it returns, it will be during this time period. Has a spouse, many people do not realize the emotions and strength that is endured to not only take care of the patient but also having family obligations as well. Many nights I would cry myself to sleep or toss and turn wondering what the outcome would be and being powerless to do anything. So, even though I'm not a patient, I can answer many questions regarding his HPV 16-Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) with his treatment plans and such.
Thank you for asking. This afternoon my husband is now in remission! The doctors will follow him closely the next 5 years and if the cancer does not return then he will be cancer free. It was very interesting to hear that the reason they follow him so closely for 5 years is because this type of cancer is the type that if it returns, it will be during this time period. Has a spouse, many people do not realize the emotions and strength that is endured to not only take care of the patient but also having family obligations as well. Many nights I would cry myself to sleep or toss and turn wondering what the outcome would be and being powerless to do anything. So, even though I'm not a patient, I can answer many questions regarding his HPV 16-Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) with his treatment plans and such.
Such encouraging news, Margie! Indeed the role of spouse and caregiver to someone with cancer carries its own emotional burden. Should you ever feel the need to share amongst caregivers, please join this group https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/caregivers/
Connect
Connect
Like
Helpful
Hug
When I received 6 weeks of radiation in the early 80's I was told not to get the area wet so I would not burn, therefore I took an old fashion sink bath for the next 6 weeks. I did not experience any burning. Fortunately the area radiated was not where it would receive any water. However, the internal damage did not show up for 20 years. The lower left quadrant of my abdomen was the area that was radiated. A small section of my bladder, sigmoid and small intestine received most of the radiation. (The left groin lymph node was the targeted area and the radiation worked.) I now have a third kidney, 10 years, because the bladder was hit with the radiation and an ostomy, 4 years, as well as a third of my GI track removed since the sigmoid and small intestines received a full dose of the radiation. The doctors did not expect me to live as long as I have and things have changed so much because of improvements made in the last 40 years when it comes to chemo and radiation. I have no regrets what I have been through if it made the radiated areas smaller and more intense for those who receive it today.
Sorry, I was not able to help with what to do from radiation burns but I hope that what I was able to share was informative and helped a small amount. Good luck.
mlmcg
Thanks so much for the info.Will try putting it in the fridge.I hope your husband gets good news from his Pet Scan.Prayers coming your way..
I had radiation burns from colon cancer treatment. Dr started me with aquafor [didn't work well], then prescribed silver sulfadiazine cream [SSD] .In between I used vaseline, which might not have helped heal burns, but felt pretty soothing. Best of luck
Miaderm or Miaderm-L (with lidocaine) worked great. My radiation oncoligist's nurse game me samples and then I ordered full size tubes online - http://www.Miaderm.com or through Amazon.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionThanks so much for the info.We asked for silvadene yesterday.
How long was each treatment....30 min??
Hi @pigpen50 and @margieinia, I see that this discussion encouraged each of you to make your first post on Connect. Your experiences with your husbands' cancer of the base of the tongue will be helpful to members of the Head & Neck Cancer group (https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/head-neck-cancer/). In fact, I'd like to invite you to take part in these discussions:
* Adenoid cystic carcinoma - left tongue base https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/adenoid-cystic-carcinoma-left-tongue-base/
* Life after head and neck cancer treatment https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/life-after-head-and-neck-cancer-treatment/
* Depression and anxiety, and Head & Neck Cancer https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/depression-and-anxiety-1/
@margieinia, I was thinking about you. I believe your husband had a followup appointment this week.
Hi @jackiemarie, I'd like to invite you to follow the Colorectal Cancer group (https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/colorectal-cancer/) and to browse through the topic. Perhaps you'd like to start by introducing yourself in this discussion:
* Living with colorectal cancer - Meet others & come say hi https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/living-with-colorectal-cancer-meet-others-come-say-hi/
Thank you for asking. This afternoon my husband is now in remission! The doctors will follow him closely the next 5 years and if the cancer does not return then he will be cancer free. It was very interesting to hear that the reason they follow him so closely for 5 years is because this type of cancer is the type that if it returns, it will be during this time period. Has a spouse, many people do not realize the emotions and strength that is endured to not only take care of the patient but also having family obligations as well. Many nights I would cry myself to sleep or toss and turn wondering what the outcome would be and being powerless to do anything. So, even though I'm not a patient, I can answer many questions regarding his HPV 16-Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) with his treatment plans and such.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionSuch encouraging news, Margie! Indeed the role of spouse and caregiver to someone with cancer carries its own emotional burden. Should you ever feel the need to share amongst caregivers, please join this group https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/caregivers/
I will certainly tag you in conversations related to HPV 16-Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), like these two for example:
- Diagnosis and discussions: HPV 16 Squamous Cell Carcinoma https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/diagnosis-and-discussions/
- squamous cell in throat https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/squamous-cell-in-throat/