Maximum rads

olybee
olybee Member Posts: 85
in Head and Neck Cancer #1
So I have a question. I've read in posts recently something about having been given the maximum amount of radiation. I'm naive, I guess, because I didn't realize there was a max level, but I did know it seems that everybody has about 35 treatments.
So here's my question: is that maximum for your entire life, or if you have a recurrence a couple of years down the road, can they "nuke you" again? I don't want to be looking for trouble, but I figure being informed is now wise for any future battles.
I LOVE how wise all you guys are!

Comments

  • longtermsurvivor
    longtermsurvivor Member Posts: 1,842 Member
    #2
    there is a real difference between
    experienced and wisdom. Im one of the experienced ones. If you click on my name, you can quickly scan my history. I have had a total of 69 rad sessions, totalling almost 14000 rads. Back when I was first treated, that was said to be a lifetime maximum. Now, with IMRT, manynof us can be radiated a second time. Obviously, it isnt a walk in the park to do this, but it beats the alternative.


    Pat
  • jtl
    jtl Member Posts: 456
    #3
    I am going to ask this
    I am going to ask this question on Monday when I have my appointment with my rad onc, but I am going to agree with Pat. I think that IMRT in general and now IGRT really works to limit the amount of rads and the collateral damage "good" tissue. One of the problems associated with rt is damage to, and even the potential of cancer developing in, the salivary glands. Supposedly my salivary glands were spared but I doubt if this is 100% possible and still reach the primary site.

    "Image Guided Radio Therapy (IGRT) takes the advantages of Intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) to help target cancerous tumors. Today’s high end radiosurgery techniques enlist the use of Tomotherapy and Cyberknife." (there are even more names like RapidArc)

    The very newest is Proton therapy and it may ultimately be the best. Unfortuately the locations are limited and it is very expensive. I bet private insurance and Medicare and Medicaid will be reluctant to pay for it unless there is no alternative, which of course there is. Medicare didn't even want to pay for my IGRT claiming that IMRT and even 3D was sufficient for scchn.

    "The process requires a 220-ton particle accelerator in a concrete bunker with walls five feet thick to propel the protons to two-thirds the speed of light. The cost to build a proton center ranges from about $100 million to more than $200 million."

    John

    Read more here: http://www.macon.com/2012/05/03/2013058/up-and-coming-cancer-therapy-criticized.html#storylink=cpy
  • longtermsurvivor
    longtermsurvivor Member Posts: 1,842 Member
    #4
    jtl said:

    I am going to ask this
    I am going to ask this question on Monday when I have my appointment with my rad onc, but I am going to agree with Pat. I think that IMRT in general and now IGRT really works to limit the amount of rads and the collateral damage "good" tissue. One of the problems associated with rt is damage to, and even the potential of cancer developing in, the salivary glands. Supposedly my salivary glands were spared but I doubt if this is 100% possible and still reach the primary site.

    "Image Guided Radio Therapy (IGRT) takes the advantages of Intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) to help target cancerous tumors. Today’s high end radiosurgery techniques enlist the use of Tomotherapy and Cyberknife." (there are even more names like RapidArc)

    The very newest is Proton therapy and it may ultimately be the best. Unfortuately the locations are limited and it is very expensive. I bet private insurance and Medicare and Medicaid will be reluctant to pay for it unless there is no alternative, which of course there is. Medicare didn't even want to pay for my IGRT claiming that IMRT and even 3D was sufficient for scchn.

    "The process requires a 220-ton particle accelerator in a concrete bunker with walls five feet thick to propel the protons to two-thirds the speed of light. The cost to build a proton center ranges from about $100 million to more than $200 million."

    John

    Read more here: http://www.macon.com/2012/05/03/2013058/up-and-coming-cancer-therapy-criticized.html#storylink=cpy

    CERN
    I think we should use the large hadron collider to generate Higgs Bosons to treat us. That would be the ultimate treatment, at one billion dollars per cancer:)
  • jtl
    jtl Member Posts: 456
    #5
    longtermsurvivor said:

    CERN
    I think we should use the large hadron collider to generate Higgs Bosons to treat us. That would be the ultimate treatment, at one billion dollars per cancer:)

    You may be on to something.
    You may be on to something. Is there a trial? :)
  • olybee
    olybee Member Posts: 85
    #6
    longtermsurvivor said:

    CERN
    I think we should use the large hadron collider to generate Higgs Bosons to treat us. That would be the ultimate treatment, at one billion dollars per cancer:)

    types of radiation
    So now that we're many months post radiation, I'm finally tuning in to all of this. How do you know the type of radiation you had? I guess I should contact the rad. onc. to find that one out, and why I'm now wondering is, I guess, a better late than never thing for my hubby
  • olybee
    olybee Member Posts: 85
    #7
    olybee said:

    types of radiation
    So now that we're many months post radiation, I'm finally tuning in to all of this. How do you know the type of radiation you had? I guess I should contact the rad. onc. to find that one out, and why I'm now wondering is, I guess, a better late than never thing for my hubby

    Thanks
    Oh, and I forgot to say, a big "THANK YOU" to all of you who know so much and share willingly. I hope to get to know more
  • jtl
    jtl Member Posts: 456
    #8
    olybee said:

    types of radiation
    So now that we're many months post radiation, I'm finally tuning in to all of this. How do you know the type of radiation you had? I guess I should contact the rad. onc. to find that one out, and why I'm now wondering is, I guess, a better late than never thing for my hubby

    You most likely had IMRT,
    You most likely had IMRT, maybe IGRT which is just a refined version of IMRT but not as widely available.
  • Ladylacy
    Ladylacy Member Posts: 773 Member
    #9
    # of Radiation Treatments
    My husband had 35 radiation treatments in 2010 for laryngeal cancer and we were told no more in that area. Well now he has been diagnosed with cancer of the cervical esophagus. On 5/14 he will start 33 radiation treatments. I asked the radiation oncologist about this. She said that yes it can be given again. She is going to just do the treatments where the tumor is. It is scary with the possible side effects she told us about, but there is no other choice other than to do nothing or risk a very risky surgery that could have major complications due to previous radiation, the largynectomy and throat reconstruction in March 2011 and where the cancer is. Yes there will be another round of chemo also. Thankfully the tumor is small and according to PET/CT scan nowhere else.

    I am thankful for the information that is provided on this forum and other forums. It is very beneficial.
  • dallen1
    dallen1 Member Posts: 9
    #10
    jtl said:

    You most likely had IMRT,
    You most likely had IMRT, maybe IGRT which is just a refined version of IMRT but not as widely available.

    old methods
    How about some one who had radition treatments 32 years ago, its hard to find any info What do you think JTL....or any one else
  • jtl
    jtl Member Posts: 456
    #11
    dallen1 said:

    old methods
    How about some one who had radition treatments 32 years ago, its hard to find any info What do you think JTL....or any one else

    That would be a question for
    That would be a question for a radiologist but if someone had rt for scchn that long ago and they are still here today I would have to say it worked.
    John
  • longtermsurvivor
    longtermsurvivor Member Posts: 1,842 Member
    #12
    dallen1 said:

    old methods
    How about some one who had radition treatments 32 years ago, its hard to find any info What do you think JTL....or any one else

    the new tech is new in less than ten years
    ten years ago and thirty two are about the same. imrt gets around the crucial structures well enough to be used in people who have had traditional radiation fields, like those of 32 years ago.


    Pat

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