Really long term effects of cobalt radiation?

hipntrippy said:

survivor
I too am a long-term survivor of cobalt radiation therapy. I had a large growing cavernous hemangioma on the entire length of my medial side of the right upper thigh. I underwent the therapy 37 years ago at Mayo clinic-St Mary's in Rochester, MN, and had been warned by a few doctors over the years that i should keep in touch with an oncology practitioner for cancer screenings due to the type of therapy i had recieved in the past. So far the long term effects... noticable difference in the size of my two legs. My treated leg is about 70% the circumference of the non-treated one. Function-wise there is no noticable difference; but the CT scans i have had all show dramatically less adipose tissue on my right leg. I feel fortunate to have been able to father a child, and she is an angel!
i have also noticed that whenever i have a bacterial infection, if it gets severe enough, my right groin lymph nodes become severely engorged, the area where the tumor was becomes extremely swollen, red and warm to the touch - looks like a cellulitis but IS NOT. The whole faux cellulitis thing is not an actual infection, but it is a secondary symptom of the bacterial infection (usually a strep infection). Sometimes my various doctors in the past have not wanted to listen, but that's why they are not my current doctors. I have had this problem 2 - 3 dozen times over the years. I hate getting sick, as it is never "just a fever" but all this other crap happens. viral infections seem to have not been a problem when they strike... don't know why, just that i never had these symptoms with flu, cold, varicella, etc. I hope cancer does not strike, but if it does, i will go down fighting if it takes me out.

Hi hipntrippy
You are a long term survivor at 37 years I am glad you found CSN and hope you can share some of you passed experience on C treatment with us on other forums here.

Wishing you the best
Hondo

bluerose said:

Not cobalt treatments but 20 year survivor with side effects
Had a bone marrow transplant and total body radiation as my treatment for non hodgkins lymphoma and have had a ton of side effects over the years that just pile up. I
went to see a neurosurgeon at a Memory Clinic here in Canada about cognitive issues
I have and memory issues. He ran tests and confirmed 'chemo brain' which never was
validated before but explained it by saying that some cancer drugs do cross the
blood-brain barrier but that this just kind of weakens the foundation of the brain,
didn't reallly say 'damaged it', although not sure I know the difference.

Anywho he said that what this means to me and others in my situation with treatments
like that is that because the foundation of the brain is weaker then natural things
like aging of the brain is not as solid as someone who hadn't had treatment that
affected the brain. He also said that pain can be a factor in losing some cognitive function
as can stress affect us that way as well. Apparently Ritalin and anti depressants can help some in this regard.

I have had other side effects as well, those being heart damage from a chemo drug, early arthritis, respiratory issues, blah blah blah blah blah. lol.

You might also want to have a neuropathy test done to see what nerve damage you might have sustained in treatment. I have one scheduled for later this next month. The fun never ends, lol.

There can be a high price in late effects caused by cancer treatment but then look at how long we have survived as well. Cobalt treatment was so long ago but I have known many other cobalt recipients that are still going strong today. Amazing what the human body and spirit can survive. Blessings, Bluerose

32 years after radition
Amen blue rose,thanks alwaysjudee. 32 years after my brain tumor and subsequent cobalt radiation treatments I have developed three different cancers as a direct effect from those treatments. I have memory issues and a neurologist informed me that my brain is aging at a faster rate. I am still hanging, I have lost some parts gained some too. I am working and playing golf (badly)l would like to blame radiation for that, but no one will give me any strokes. Stay positive, attitude is important. Good luck all

Jollybabe said:

Neuropathy testing...
I was so glad to find others going through what I am. My treatment was 25 years ago. I am having heart problems and kidney problems. I am also getting tired of my kids telling me I'm crazy!!! I will do more research and just wanted to thank you all for turning on the light!

You too?
Had cobalt radiation in 1977 for a brain tumor. No side effects until 1997. Since then I've had seizures which are now under control, but I feel like my mind is going! I can't remember things and mostly my sense of orientation is diminishing. Yesterday I got turned around in my own house! Just so you know we're not crazy. Just tell your kids that you had a close encounter. The Aliens were so impressed with your brain that they had to take a sample. Buy the Anatomy Coloring Book. It is very cool and your kids will start saying nephrotic, cytology and auricular. Have a great day.

Caryn

Long term effect

35 years ago I had cobalt radiation to remove a brain tumor. I had no side effects until 15 years later. I've had seizures, memory loss, coordination and orientation issues. Seizures are under control with meds but new symptoms pop up on a regular basis. Just so you know, you're not alone. CT

sarabella said:

You too?
Had cobalt radiation in 1977 for a brain tumor. No side effects until 1997. Since then I've had seizures which are now under control, but I feel like my mind is going! I can't remember things and mostly my sense of orientation is diminishing. Yesterday I got turned around in my own house! Just so you know we're not crazy. Just tell your kids that you had a close encounter. The Aliens were so impressed with your brain that they had to take a sample. Buy the Anatomy Coloring Book. It is very cool and your kids will start saying nephrotic, cytology and auricular. Have a great day.

Caryn

Cobalt radiation for testicular cancer spread to aorta 1972
I am Neil's wife and caregiver. I did not know him when he had cancer, but I can certainly testify to the side effects of cobalt radiation. He had 5500 rads over the period of a year to his abdomen centered on the small intestine area. Over the years he has developed multiple problems. About a year after treatment he developed "radiation enteritis" which caused "malabsorption syndrome" in the affected area. He next developed intestinal adhesions which caused numerous small bowel obstructions which could sometimes be resolved by decompression with a naso-gastric tube. He has also had several bowel resections to remove necrotic intestine because the adhesions cut off the blood supply. The latest problem has proved to be by far the most serious. The superior mesenteric and celiac arteries became occluded by a combination of scar tissue and plaque. Stents were inserted but failed. In mid July he had a major operation (80% mortality) to insert a graft into his aorta and in turn graft the two other arteries to it. Although blood supply has been restored and his intestines are functioning, we are 5 months out and his wounds have not yet healed - to make matters worse he has several small abscesses that have popped up around the wound site. The wound care nurse is treating another patient with the same problem who was treated with hyperbaric oxygen, which, as I understand, delivers greater amounts of oxygen at greater pressures while the patient is in a chamber similar to a decompression chamber. She said that patient made astonishing progress and recommended it for Neil but his surgeon has not approved it.

Neil has been through hell for the past several years, but he has lived almost 40 years cancer-free. He realizes each day he has is a gift, and that has made him the most kind and gentle man I have ever met. He was hospitalized for 54 days last summer and I lived in his room with him. I took care of the "scut work" and helped out his nurses every way I could - when I had to call them for pain or nausea meds, they were very prompt with their attention. I was also there whenever his doctors made rounds with my pen and notebook ready. I asked questions and if I didn't completely understand the answers I researched them on my notebook. It was very fortunate that I was once a biology major, and that I had just retired so I could devote my full time to his care.

At anyrate, that is our story. From many of your questions and as the result of my research, it is probably that cobalt radiation is probably at least partially to blame. The latest scientific study I read said that it shortened telomeres in hampsters. Telomeres are on the end of each strand of DNA to keep the ends safe. Every time a cell divides, it loses a telomere. When there are no more the cell can no longer reproduce. There is a protein or enzyme called telomerase that is always found in cancer cells. It allows cells without telomres to reproduce. Apparantly in some cases it can "grow" more telomeres so the cell can live and divide longer. In 2009, the Nobel prize was awarded for the discovery of telomeres and their function, so it is new science. It follows that when many "good cells" are killed by radiation and the ones that survive have shortened telomeres (yet to be proven in humans) the survivors have to replicate far more often, which causes premature aging and, if the cell starts producing telomerase to keep alive, the hypothesis is that it could lead to primary or recurrent cancer.

cobalt 42 years ago
After a hysterectomy to remove a tumor 42 years ago when I was 17, I have been very fortunate. I too have had memory loss and neck and back problems. When I was 25 I started seeing a chiropractor occasionally. Now, I am still seeing a chiropractor and a physical therapist weekly. I have had gastro problems and gall bladder. I am working on a cure for osteoporosis, too. I consider myself to be in very good health inspite of it all. I work out and try to eat right. If you didn't know all my background you would not know by looking at me that I have had so many issues.

I recently have found that if I can keep my body pH balanced, most of my problems fade away. pH is so so important. Please do some research on pH and cancer. There is a world of information out there that the cancer community should be aware of to prevent and cure cancer naturally. It is a medical industry secret. I recently have had trouble keeping my pH right with diet, but I found that 2 tablespoons of fresh squeezed lemon juice and a level 1/2 tsp. of baking soda once in the morning and once at night keeps my pH where it needs to be. You can purchase pH strips inexpensively from ebay.

Attitude is important. I pray you will find this information helpful.

allwaysjudee said:

I received cobalt radiation
I received cobalt radiation treatments 42 years ago, at the age of 16, for treatment of Hodgkins Disease. Cured me, and offered me a good life, but now the problems are arising. Neck and upper thoracis muscles are deteriorating, and I'm told that some neural cells may be involved too, as I develop problems lower down.

At first the doctors didn't want to believe it was the radiation treatments, but finally they decided it couldn't be anything lese. The muscular decay is very visibly in the area of treatment.

I have learned to accept this, but it was very frustrating during those 4 to 5 years of worsening symptoms, to be sent from specialist to specialist and no one knowing what it was. But I look at it this way - we are the first generation of cancer survivors to live this long. Such statistics couldn't be known before, because people didn't live as long before having relapses, or other cancers, etc.

It is my hope that whatever suffering I experience now can serve as a kind of indicator to current treatment methods, an incentive to look for treatments that will cure without such strong and painful effects so many years down the line.

But hey, as I always say, if it weren't for the treatments, i wouldn't be here to complain about it.

ps - sorry for the typos

Colbalt-50 years past
Hi, I received cobalt radiation after being operated on for a cerebellum tumor. That was 50 years ago.
I had a pretty normal life, had 2 children (that's a wonder in itself). As I am getting older my muscles, or lack of, are causing me alot of pain. It's frustrating because the only thing they recommend is excercise. My balance is bad, and it's extremely hard to excercise in a normal gym.
I have recently lost a portion of my hearing and started with hearing aids. That's extremely hard to get used to.
I just met with Dr. Freeman,a radiation/oncology expert,. It seems my tumor would have been treated very different at this present time. The docotors today would not even suggest radiation treatments for my kind of tumor. Speaking with Dr. Freeman was very nice, to have someone really unerstand how these symptoms are popping up later in our lives. But at the end of the coversation, the fact remains, the damage has been done and we,re lucky we even survived with the knowledge the doctors had years ago.
I walked away realizing I'm thankful I don't have cancer and hope I don't need her clinic.
I guess I have to learn to cope with my inabilities and be thankful.

Wendy_53

curmar said:

cobalt 42 years ago
After a hysterectomy to remove a tumor 42 years ago when I was 17, I have been very fortunate. I too have had memory loss and neck and back problems. When I was 25 I started seeing a chiropractor occasionally. Now, I am still seeing a chiropractor and a physical therapist weekly. I have had gastro problems and gall bladder. I am working on a cure for osteoporosis, too. I consider myself to be in very good health inspite of it all. I work out and try to eat right. If you didn't know all my background you would not know by looking at me that I have had so many issues.

I recently have found that if I can keep my body pH balanced, most of my problems fade away. pH is so so important. Please do some research on pH and cancer. There is a world of information out there that the cancer community should be aware of to prevent and cure cancer naturally. It is a medical industry secret. I recently have had trouble keeping my pH right with diet, but I found that 2 tablespoons of fresh squeezed lemon juice and a level 1/2 tsp. of baking soda once in the morning and once at night keeps my pH where it needs to be. You can purchase pH strips inexpensively from ebay.

Attitude is important. I pray you will find this information helpful.

coblt radiation long term survior
I am a rather young survior, i had nuroblastoma, in my adrinal gland at a year old i am now at the age of 47 years old. i recieved cobolt radiation as a cure for my cancer, my surviors rate was so low that i was not expected to live past the age of 5. these are my side affects, i have skin on the ratiation site, that will not strech, so i am about 3 inches slimmer on one side, i have dwarft ribs on my left side, a twisted rib cage, which has lead to me having asthma. and a curved spine. i have a lot of feet leg, and back problems, and have one leg that is shorter then the other, resulting in me having to wear a lift.I also have a learning disability, and the inability to have children becasue of the twisting of my body, i was told that in the 60s they did not shield the body as well and that i had some pretty good burns, i have never been able to find any doctor able to tell me what to expect out of my body and mind in the future, they also found that i have a heart valve problem, they think is also related. i am glad and proud to be here but would like to know why there are no long term studies on surviorship. there needs to be i see small children being treated and it makes you wonder what there future will be like after treatment.

curmar said:

cobalt 42 years ago
After a hysterectomy to remove a tumor 42 years ago when I was 17, I have been very fortunate. I too have had memory loss and neck and back problems. When I was 25 I started seeing a chiropractor occasionally. Now, I am still seeing a chiropractor and a physical therapist weekly. I have had gastro problems and gall bladder. I am working on a cure for osteoporosis, too. I consider myself to be in very good health inspite of it all. I work out and try to eat right. If you didn't know all my background you would not know by looking at me that I have had so many issues.

I recently have found that if I can keep my body pH balanced, most of my problems fade away. pH is so so important. Please do some research on pH and cancer. There is a world of information out there that the cancer community should be aware of to prevent and cure cancer naturally. It is a medical industry secret. I recently have had trouble keeping my pH right with diet, but I found that 2 tablespoons of fresh squeezed lemon juice and a level 1/2 tsp. of baking soda once in the morning and once at night keeps my pH where it needs to be. You can purchase pH strips inexpensively from ebay.

Attitude is important. I pray you will find this information helpful.

coblt radiation long term survior
I am a rather young survior, i had nuroblastoma, in my adrinal gland at a year old i am now at the age of 47 years old. i recieved cobolt radiation as a cure for my cancer, my surviors rate was so low that i was not expected to live past the age of 5. these are my side affects, i have skin on the ratiation site, that will not strech, so i am about 3 inches slimmer on one side, i have dwarft ribs on my left side, a twisted rib cage, which has lead to me having asthma. and a curved spine. i have a lot of feet leg, and back problems, and have one leg that is shorter then the other, resulting in me having to wear a lift.I also have a learning disability, and the inability to have children becasue of the twisting of my body, i was told that in the 60s they did not shield the body as well and that i had some pretty good burns, i have never been able to find any doctor able to tell me what to expect out of my body and mind in the future, they also found that i have a heart valve problem, they think is also related. i am glad and proud to be here but would like to know why there are no long term studies on surviorship. there needs to be i see small children being treated and it makes you wonder what there future will be like after treatment.

clt1234 said:

coblt radiation long term survior
I am a rather young survior, i had nuroblastoma, in my adrinal gland at a year old i am now at the age of 47 years old. i recieved cobolt radiation as a cure for my cancer, my surviors rate was so low that i was not expected to live past the age of 5. these are my side affects, i have skin on the ratiation site, that will not strech, so i am about 3 inches slimmer on one side, i have dwarft ribs on my left side, a twisted rib cage, which has lead to me having asthma. and a curved spine. i have a lot of feet leg, and back problems, and have one leg that is shorter then the other, resulting in me having to wear a lift.I also have a learning disability, and the inability to have children becasue of the twisting of my body, i was told that in the 60s they did not shield the body as well and that i had some pretty good burns, i have never been able to find any doctor able to tell me what to expect out of my body and mind in the future, they also found that i have a heart valve problem, they think is also related. i am glad and proud to be here but would like to know why there are no long term studies on surviorship. there needs to be i see small children being treated and it makes you wonder what there future will be like after treatment.

Long Term Survivor Issues
Luckily for us there are specialist that are aware of the long term effects from radiation and chemo. I see one at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in NYC. I am 23 years out from Hodgkins Disease and 4+ years from Breast Cancer(from the radiation tx's). There are many similair pediatric/adult long term followup clinics in the country. I am so pleased to have the doctor on my team to manage and be proactive against all the LT effects we suffer from. These doctors and clinics are doing long term studies on survivorship. Hopefully there is a clinic near you that you may benefit from. Good Luck.
Cathy