"Coning down"?

AmyD1310

Hello!

I still have 6 sessions of radiation left, but my doctor mentioned to me today that after tomorrow, they will be "coning down" the radiation area. Has anyone been through this? Know exactly what to expect? (I did ask for an explanation, and the doc said it meant he was focusing the radiation on the just the tumor area, not the groin anymore.) I am asking because I'm hoping that it means I'll begin to feel some relief in the groin area since it will not be getting hit with the beams anymore? Thanks for any/all information you have to give!!

 

-Amy

mp327

Amy

My radiation treatment was done like that too.  The radiation field was reduced twice over the 6-week period.  It is standard protocol to use the last few treatments to aim directly at the tumor.  As for getting some relief in the groin area, I'm sorry to say I wouldn't count on it.  The effects of radiation are cumulative and may take more than the last few days of treatment for you to feel any better in that area.

horsepad

I was supposed to have two

I was supposed to have two weeks of more directed radiation after I finished the standard radiation but it didn't happen because I was hospitalized and missed my "window" for more radiation.  I wanted to mention that the burns continued and the pain increased for a few weeks after my radiation stopped.  I was on a cocktail of pain pills to manage that was given to me after radiation stopped because it was unbearable .