Cholangiocarcinoma and proton and photon beam radiation

@edie78t, photon beam is traditional radiation, otherwise known as external beam radiation. Proton beam is the newer approach. Here's an article that explains the difference.

- What’s the difference? Photon and proton radiation therapy https://www.cancercenter.com/community/blog/2021/12/whats-the-difference-proton-photon-therapy

Are you a candidate for proton beam therapy, Edie?

Thank you for sending the article.

I don't know if I could be a candidate for that (Proton). I would certainly like to try that and would be willing to participate in any clinical trials involving Proton Beam Therapy.

How do I find out if I am a good candidate? Thanks.

I would ask your cancer care team about proton beam therapy. Whether it is a viable option for you or not depends on the characteristics of your tumor and other factors that only they can determine from your diagnosis. I'd be interested to hear what you find out.

I was told to try proton beam therapy- I have not tried yet. Have you started this treatment? Interested to hear how it went.

My wife was diagnosed with Cholangiocarcinoma in October this year and she is getting chemotherapy and immunotherapy. She is having a hard time with rashes all over her body and the fatigue from the chemotherapy the doctor has to stop the chemotherapy for a month before the next chemotherapy cycle. I’m very interested to find out from other patients if they experienced the same side effects from chemotherapy. Also love to hear any successful treatments for the late stages of Cholangiocarcinoma.

Welcome, @philomenacheung. I'm sorry to hear that your wife is having a hard time with chemotherapy and immunotherapy. I suspect the immunotherapy is the culprit for the rashes. That is a know side effect. Is she on pembrolizumab (Keytruda) or another immunotherapy?

Since this discussion's focus is on radiation, would you mind repeating your question in this discussion:
– Cholangiocarcinoma – Bile Duct Cancer – anyone else dealing with this? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/cholangiocarcinoma-bile-duct-cancer-anyone-else-dealing-with-this/

Thank you Colleen for your reply. My wife is on Durvalumab (Imfinzi) immunotherapy and
Cisplatin and gemcitabine chemotherapy. Rash is definitely possible side effects of both treatments.