can you have imrt twice?

tonyb
tonyb Member Posts: 69
edited July 2012 in Head and Neck Cancer #1
having problems and can't see the doctor until monday, and i have been wondering if anyone has had radiation twice. i don't know if i can be treated, if it comes back, so i need to know. has anyone here had radiation treatments a second time after having cancer come back?

Comments

  • Mrs. Sarge
    Mrs. Sarge Member Posts: 206 Member
    #2
    Some have
    on these boards....longtermservivor, for 1. He'll probably jump on and tell you about his treatments....Let's hope you don't need anything further!!!
  • deedee54
    deedee54 Member Posts: 7
    #3
    can you have imrt twice?
    My understanding from my radiation oncologist was that you can't have it a second time. Have you had chemo? You can do chemo again, which is what I might be facing if my cancer is back, too. I won't know until the results of the biopsy (being done Monday). The results won't be in until the 23rd. When I asked my medical oncologist about treatment, he said it would be more chemo.
  • MarineE5
    MarineE5 Member Posts: 1,034 Member
    #4
    Yes
    Tony,

    I was told by my Radiation Oncologist that I would be able to receive radiation again if I needed it. Fortunately, I have not needed it. Also, he told me this after I reached the 5 year mark out of treatments.

    As Mrs. Sarge mentioned, Longtermsurvivor has recently gone thru radiation a 2nd or 3rd time. If I am not mistaken, I think Hondo may have done it also. I apologize as to who had what done over the years.

    My Best to You and Everyone Here
  • longtermsurvivor
    longtermsurvivor Member Posts: 1,842 Member
    #5
    hi tony
    The answer is maybe. It depends on location of the malignancies and distance between treatments. I had BOT cancer in 1998, and was radiated then. I had a second malignancy in the floor of my mouth in 2010 treated with radical surgery. It recurred in my soft palate in the fall last year, and I finished my second full course of rads about March 1. I was lucky in that I had two distinctly different primary locations, over a widely spaced interval of time. Others are lucky enough to have localized recurrances after radical treatment, treated successfully with surgery. Dont cross any of these bridges until you have to. There are three other people who are regular posters here that have been through rads twice. KTeacher, Hondo, and uh, I'll think of the other in a minute.

    Pat
  • Kent Cass
    Kent Cass Member Posts: 1,898 Member
    #6
    Maybe
    Think it depends on where it's applied and damage assessment a 2nd round would bring to the area(s) needing it, Tony, along the lines of nerve damage, jawbone, etc. Yes, I know Hondo has had it twice, and know of a few others who had smaller doses with limited areas being zapped. Remember one in LA who was getting very low dose twice a day to a specific area a couple years ago.

    Hopes and Prayers all turns-out okay, Tony.

    kcass
  • tonyb
    tonyb Member Posts: 69
    #7
    thanks everyone for the
    thanks everyone for the info. i'll try to keep a stiff upper lip until monday ! wish me luck. (and a prayer woundn't hurt either) lol !
  • katenorwood
    katenorwood Member Posts: 1,912
    #8
    tonyb said:

    thanks everyone for the
    thanks everyone for the info. i'll try to keep a stiff upper lip until monday ! wish me luck. (and a prayer woundn't hurt either) lol !

    You got it !
    tonyb,
    Try to relax until Monday. I know how you're feeling...I'll find out for sure on Tuesday if my adcc is back. Prayers and warmest thoughts are sent in your direction, and we'll be thinking of you on Monday ! Katie
  • Crazymom
    Crazymom Member Posts: 339 Member
    #9
    tonyb said:

    thanks everyone for the
    thanks everyone for the info. i'll try to keep a stiff upper lip until monday ! wish me luck. (and a prayer woundn't hurt either) lol !

    Monday
    praying for you...Ann
  • buzz99
    buzz99 Member Posts: 404
    #10
    IMRT Twice
    Yes you can. Buzz had traditional radiation to the right side of his neck in 2001 and when the cancer returned in 2010, he had IMRT to both sides of his neck. I have also heard about Proton Beam treatments which are even a more focused method of radiation delivery. Karen
  • Vikeman10
    Vikeman10 Member Posts: 62
    #11
    Yes
    New to the forum, but have followed off and on. I have had rhabdomyosarcoma as a child on the right side of my jaw in 1978. I went thru surgery, Chemo and radiation then and considered cured 5 years later. December 2010 had scope for swallowing problems and found cancer on posterior hypopharyngeal wall. I just finished 35 rads last week and recovering now, so it is possible but has risks.
  • KTeacher
    KTeacher Member Posts: 1,103 Member
    #12
    Yes
    I was a two timer. I only had a year in between radiation treatments. It did take a little longer for the rad onc to map my area, I used the same mask. Treatment didn't seem as bad, directed to my neck not lip and mouth, but the after effects are in full bloom. I could not use the amifostine the second time, my body said no violently. Please don't borrow trouble, like Skiff says, It isn't cancer until it is found on a biopsy or scan.
  • ggpierce
    ggpierce Member Posts: 30
    #13
    radiation x 2
    I had radiation for the second time 3.5 years ago. I was first told when diagnosed that I wouldn't be able to have it, then after the tumor board met, and discussed it, they agreed that since it had been 20 years since I had the first treatment, that I could.

    The second time seemed to be stronger than the first time I had it, doc said it was the same treatment strength, just more accurate. I know it kicked my butt this time, the first time was a breeze. Course, I was only 28.

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