Connect
Radiation - side effects? Effectiveness?
Hi. The two types of chemo they gave my husband have not worked to shrink tumors. Now they say we will discuss radiation. My husband getting endoscopy today right now because his bile ducts are blocked. He had stent placed in Jan but drs think maybe it has moved or deteriorated. I’m fearful of radiation because it seems like it is risky for damage to other organs , side effects etc. does anyone have experience with radiation results? Also We are using Dana Farber for treatment, but I also understand Msk has specialty in the radiation area as well. I will do some more reading, but, as always,Any thoughts would be appreciated.
Like
Helpful
HugInterested in more discussions like this? Go to the Pancreatic Cancer Support Group.
Connect
Mri guided proton radiation. Mine was 5 day.. at miami cancer institute with dr michael chuong
Mci is a partner with MSK
It has helped stabalize me. Although i currently am having issues with blockage in dueodenal stent which is affecting my eating.
Go figure..
Blessings
Watch the video at MSK in New York. The only „curative „ protocol at this time for pancreatic cancer is the Magnetic Resonance guided Adaptive Radiation Therapy. In the US, this is usually with the MRIdian Linac machine. It targets only the tumor and thus spares all the other organs.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
2 Reactionsk13,
Was the bile duct stent plastic or metal - in some cases the stent is initially plastic, then changed later to metal. Plastic tends to allow more buildup and blocks much faster than metal (which in some cases is a special alloy and emits chemicals to prevent blockage).
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
2 ReactionsHi the original stent was metal. The new one they put in was also metal. Interestingly though, the dr at Dana Farber , whoput in the new stent, told us that the original stent put in by our local hospital was shorter than the new one. The Dana Dr said Dana Farber doesn’t use that size stent anymore. It’s the “old way” of doing it….
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionI went to Mayo Rochester did THREE week newer intensive radiation . I would only trust Mayo to do this. The other option was the 5 week standard radiation. They zero in on tumor using MRI and had little side effects just tired. Also took an oral chemo at the same time. My tumor was dead in the water when I went in for the Whipple 6 weeks after radiation. So far 8 months later all good. Good luck!
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
5 ReactionsThank you. We are at Dana Farber for radiation treatment. So I hope they are as good as Mayo. My husband Supposed to start next week. Praying it will help!
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
5 ReactionsHeard great things about Dana Farber. Top reputation on the East Coast
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
3 ReactionsGreat to hear from someone at Mayo Rochester. I’m on the same path. 12 rounds of chemo. 3 weeks of radiation. Then the Whipple.
If the radiation shrinks the tumor why do such a difficult surgery?
That exact question crossed my mind. I don’t think they knew it was dead until they went in and removed it. Sent in the pathology as he went to make sure the edges were clean which they were. But yes i thought the same thing. I know some people choose to just be on chemo for the rest of their lives to keep it in check. When is your surgery? Who is your Dr?
Are you finished with radiation?
I start radiation on Monday. Surgery is scheduled for August 29th. I’m scared.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
2 Reactions