I'm 80 years old. Radiation?

Hi..
If it were me (I was 55) no, I would not…when I had surgery and radiation,I felt it sucked all the energy out of me.
Best of luck with your decision.

@astromberg
I am not familiar with subglottis squamous cell carcinoma. I have had squamous cell carcinoma in the past but had MOHS surgery on it. I assume from your post that they wanted to do radiation treatments. You mentioned voice is the cancer somewhere in your throat or head area?

Did they recommmend photon radiation or proton. The difference is photo radiation enters the body, through the body, and out the body. Proton enters body as reduced dose, releases the radiation at a specific location and does not exit the body. Proton is used (per my R/Os) for cancers of prostate, eye, brain, eye, etc. where they really need to control the damage done by radiation to surrounding tissus and organs.

I had 30 rounds of proton radiation at UFHPTI. A very reknown and experience medical facility doing proton radiation on cancers since 2006. I had minor side affects. Nothing that affect my life style or activities I wanted to do with the exception of bike riding they did not want me to do prior, during, and right after.

Talk to your R/O about photon and proton. Side affects of both and what is best for you. Get second opinions if in any doubt as is your body your cancer so it is your decision.

The photon v proton response is worth investigating. I am 72. I just finished week 1 of external beam radiation to my trachea. I have almost no symptoms. My trachea is where the cancer is left over, post total thyroidectomy.
You are 80 years old. God bless you. Don't give up. I have been told that most of our experiences during treatment are mental as well as physical. Perhaps you can do the treatment at a proton facility, and also have supportive counseling. I hope you see your 100th birthday. Read the book by Potts. I think he had cancer 5 times.

Up for the Fight: How to Advocate for Yourself as You Battle Cancer—from a Five-Time Survivor
Book by Bill C. Potts

Eventually it will be more than just your voice affected as cancer continues to grow and spread. At age 80 the question is what to do as a quality of life issue. There are alternatives to standard cancer treatments which can be explored such as a shorter radiation regimen and/or drugs such as Keytruda. Ask your Oncologist and at the same time, ask your Oncologist what they would do at your age.
For me, that's ten years out yet. Would I go through what I went through twenty plus years ago at that age, or even at my age now? I can honestly say that I doubt I would go down the same road. Doing nothing of course will kill me, and not likely gently. I would try a lighter sentence. Certainly I would insist on proton radiation as opposed to photon.
No one here of course can tell you what to do, only suggest. But I think when we are actually in your shoes, we will only then know the path you are on.

I'm 76 and I have refused radiation post breast carcinoma in milk duct removal by surgery. 2005.
I'm still here and a fellow bowler 95 had hers left in and is still here.

I refused post RAI treatment after Thyroidectomy with 12 lymphs removed papillary and considered LOW RISK. Agreeing with the top USA Thyroid surgeon Mr Gary Clayman.

With this I refused to be under .5 TSH in suppression.

Its a personal decision.

But from the onset of so many others getting into trouble with over treatment and treatment not overriding further cancer, I choose no radioactive treatment or chemotherapy.

On my 4th year ultrasound check, I have some calcification questioned. Scarring or not removed lymph nodes not taken.

I don't blame anyone and they can be removed - my choice if it comes to that. Papillary grows 1mm a year. 1 x 8mm and 1 x 7mm. The other is probably my thymus.

I can live with my own decision. I've heard others saying that the RAI treatment did not stop the cancer returning or in left lymphs. Damage was in parathyroids not working, voice box, throat, oesophagus etc and leukaemia.

That's a lot of treatments. Consider your QOL as you go through these.

Without any intrusion, please make the right decision for you and you only. Get the printout of risks if you undergo these treatments.

In this 4th year Radiography suggested a RAI SCAN or PET scan. I have AF rapid and persistent, I questioned stopping my synthroid for 3 weeks - making me TSH 50 + HYPO in extreme. Side effects rapid heart rate. I take Diltiazem 120 CD mg AM to control for H/R Day 100 or under and a little for BP.

Two days into stopping I went from 1.7 to 5 TSH. Already HYPO over normal range.

The surgeon had a pow wow with the thyroid team including in Auckland. I was changed to a PET Scan. I missed two mornings. No sugar, iodine or stressful exercise the day prior.

So last year I had 2 CT Scans, PET scan and MRI of pituitary gland which showed warm. Nothing in the brain area noted as being a problem. Overall the above 3 areas of macro calcification showed no change and therefore was inconclusive for cancer. This area not been pictured before. Lined up for a further CT Scan with contrast in May 2025.

Are we guinea pigs or what. I would rather leave another test for a year.

Your absolute choice? How is your QOL?

I can feel for you.

In September after 6 weeks returning from 12-day Russian River Cruise from St Petersburg to Moscow. St Petersburg my favourite city, I had a stroke embolic (stray clot made by the AF undiagnosed) with rapid and persistent AF and on 4th day "you have a shadow on your thyroid" - Thyroid Papillary Cancer.

I fought for correct meds. In December 2021 I was encouraged to see a private heart specialist after an Endocrinologist whom I did not enjoy or like, then a public heart specialist who left me on 156 heart beats a minute.

This private person so interested put me on CCB Diltiazem 180 CD mg AM. My H/R in 2 hours came down in 2 hours! GREAT GREAT. Then adjusted to 120 CD mg and less Bisoprolol to 2.5mg PM. But now no Beta Blockers. More energy.

I wish you all the very best whichever you decide. Don't be pressured. Use your own womanly intuition.

cherio JOY. (tuckie)

Hi
A friend's mother finally decided on Keytruda as an alternative to her leg off. She had 3 operations on her leg but the cancer returned each time.

She last 7 months on Keytruda, had a fall and a heart attack.

In a rest home she lived for a further 2 years. She passed earlier this month.

Dear sole. She was in her 80s.

She was determined not to lose her leg so she passed.

She is at rest with her loved ones.

So sad.

cheri JOY. 76. (NZ)

I had my weekly meeting with the radiation oncologist physician. I asked about proton v photon. The EXTERNAL BEAM RADIATION machine I am treated with is Photon. Dr. Said they only use Proton when extremely precise radiation is needed. Mine is a tumor, so not warranted.

I just wanted to return with information.
Everyone take care.

My husband had a tumor in his sinus cavity which the surgeon removed but couldn’t get all of it. Maybe 2% left. He is having 33 proton radiation treatments. So I would be cautious in saying proton radiation isn’t for people with tumors.

Ok. Sorry. This is all new to me. "My cancer does not warrant proton
treatment ", statements from radiation oncologist.