Radiation fears

Lisa2012
Lisa2012 Member Posts: 142
in Anal Cancer #1

For the last two years, I have been a stage IV colon cancer patient.  A colon resection, a liver resection, and three different chemo cocktails later.  I handled all of this fairly well and aside from adding doctor appointments to my schedule, my life remained normal.  I was scheduled for a Y90 procedure to radiate the two small mets in my liver and also a TEM procedure to remove a new tumor that lit up my PET.

This week, during, well after the TEM was stopped,  I was told that I have rectal cancer and tomorrow am going for a consult for radiation.  Talk about disappointment.  I really thought that this Summer was going to be a good one.  I have read some of your posts on radiation and I think this Summer will be terrible.

so for those of you that have been there, is the radiation always accompanied by chemo?  How long do the treatments last?  What were your worst side effects and what was the best was to treat them?  Any other words of advice?

thanks,

lisa

Comments

  • mp327
    mp327 Member Posts: 4,440 Member
    #2
    Hi Lisa

    I'm sorry for all you've already been through and about your new diagnosis.  You say it's rectal cancer.  Please clarify as to whether it's rectal or anal, as there is a difference in the type of cells and the treatment.  All of us on this board have had anal cancer, which is almost always treated with 6 weeks of radiation, accompanied by 2 rounds of chemo, using the drugs 5FU and Mitomycin.  Each radiation treatment, for me atleast, took about 30 minutes in total, including getting me correctly positioned on the machine.  I think the actual treatment lasted no more than 20 minutes or less.  My worst side effect from radiation, by far, was the burning of my skin.  I would estimate that my burns were 2nd. degree.  However, I will follow that by saying that I did not have the benefit of this support group when I went through treatment and I know there were lots of things I could have tried to keep my skin from getting to that point.  It seems that each doctor has their own suggestions and things they prescribe.  I was given Aquaphor to start out, but when it became ineffective, my radiation oncologist gave me a prescription for Silver Sulfadiazine cream, which did help.  It was hard to get off of my skin, however, and since it has metal in it, I think may have contributed to the burning effect of the radiation.  I would advise you to make sure that whatever you use, you completely remove it before each treatment, then reapply afterwards.  Many people use Domeboro soaks, Radiaplex, Aloe or Vitamin E liquid.  I'm sure the other people on this board will offer up some additional suggestions.  You need to tell your doctor about anything you use.  The other thing that gave me great relief, albeit temporary, was soaking in a tub with plain warm water, which I would do several times a day.  You may also want to get a peribottle so that you can squirt your genital area when you urinate, as urine will sting when it touches your skin if there is any burning.  There are also bidet attachments and sitz baths that can be used on the toilet. 

    Please check out this website:  www.analcancerhelp.info  There's some great information there, including how to deal with radiation side effects.  The woman who put this site together is someone I've known for several years through a couple of other websites.  There's lots of good information there.

    Whether your cancer is rectal or anal, I welcome you to this board and hope that you'll find good information and support here.

    Martha 

     

  • Lisa2012
    Lisa2012 Member Posts: 142
    #3
    mp327 said:

    Hi Lisa

    I'm sorry for all you've already been through and about your new diagnosis.  You say it's rectal cancer.  Please clarify as to whether it's rectal or anal, as there is a difference in the type of cells and the treatment.  All of us on this board have had anal cancer, which is almost always treated with 6 weeks of radiation, accompanied by 2 rounds of chemo, using the drugs 5FU and Mitomycin.  Each radiation treatment, for me atleast, took about 30 minutes in total, including getting me correctly positioned on the machine.  I think the actual treatment lasted no more than 20 minutes or less.  My worst side effect from radiation, by far, was the burning of my skin.  I would estimate that my burns were 2nd. degree.  However, I will follow that by saying that I did not have the benefit of this support group when I went through treatment and I know there were lots of things I could have tried to keep my skin from getting to that point.  It seems that each doctor has their own suggestions and things they prescribe.  I was given Aquaphor to start out, but when it became ineffective, my radiation oncologist gave me a prescription for Silver Sulfadiazine cream, which did help.  It was hard to get off of my skin, however, and since it has metal in it, I think may have contributed to the burning effect of the radiation.  I would advise you to make sure that whatever you use, you completely remove it before each treatment, then reapply afterwards.  Many people use Domeboro soaks, Radiaplex, Aloe or Vitamin E liquid.  I'm sure the other people on this board will offer up some additional suggestions.  You need to tell your doctor about anything you use.  The other thing that gave me great relief, albeit temporary, was soaking in a tub with plain warm water, which I would do several times a day.  You may also want to get a peribottle so that you can squirt your genital area when you urinate, as urine will sting when it touches your skin if there is any burning.  There are also bidet attachments and sitz baths that can be used on the toilet. 

    Please check out this website:  www.analcancerhelp.info  There's some great information there, including how to deal with radiation side effects.  The woman who put this site together is someone I've known for several years through a couple of other websites.  There's lots of good information there.

    Whether your cancer is rectal or anal, I welcome you to this board and hope that you'll find good information and support here.

    Martha 

     

    Thank you.

    Martha,

    I appreciate your comments.  i will admit I didn't know that there was a difference between rectal and anal cancer, apparently I have much to learn.  Two hours until my appointment.  Thank you for giving me information ....more questions!

    lisa

  • danker
    danker Member Posts: 1,276 Member
    #4
    Lisa2012 said:

    Thank you.

    Martha,

    I appreciate your comments.  i will admit I didn't know that there was a difference between rectal and anal cancer, apparently I have much to learn.  Two hours until my appointment.  Thank you for giving me information ....more questions!

    lisa

    radiation burn

    My radiologist gave me some RADIA GEL. It available at wall mart.  Give it a try

  • RoseC
    RoseC Member Posts: 559
    #5
    mp327 said:

    Hi Lisa

    I'm sorry for all you've already been through and about your new diagnosis.  You say it's rectal cancer.  Please clarify as to whether it's rectal or anal, as there is a difference in the type of cells and the treatment.  All of us on this board have had anal cancer, which is almost always treated with 6 weeks of radiation, accompanied by 2 rounds of chemo, using the drugs 5FU and Mitomycin.  Each radiation treatment, for me atleast, took about 30 minutes in total, including getting me correctly positioned on the machine.  I think the actual treatment lasted no more than 20 minutes or less.  My worst side effect from radiation, by far, was the burning of my skin.  I would estimate that my burns were 2nd. degree.  However, I will follow that by saying that I did not have the benefit of this support group when I went through treatment and I know there were lots of things I could have tried to keep my skin from getting to that point.  It seems that each doctor has their own suggestions and things they prescribe.  I was given Aquaphor to start out, but when it became ineffective, my radiation oncologist gave me a prescription for Silver Sulfadiazine cream, which did help.  It was hard to get off of my skin, however, and since it has metal in it, I think may have contributed to the burning effect of the radiation.  I would advise you to make sure that whatever you use, you completely remove it before each treatment, then reapply afterwards.  Many people use Domeboro soaks, Radiaplex, Aloe or Vitamin E liquid.  I'm sure the other people on this board will offer up some additional suggestions.  You need to tell your doctor about anything you use.  The other thing that gave me great relief, albeit temporary, was soaking in a tub with plain warm water, which I would do several times a day.  You may also want to get a peribottle so that you can squirt your genital area when you urinate, as urine will sting when it touches your skin if there is any burning.  There are also bidet attachments and sitz baths that can be used on the toilet. 

    Please check out this website:  www.analcancerhelp.info  There's some great information there, including how to deal with radiation side effects.  The woman who put this site together is someone I've known for several years through a couple of other websites.  There's lots of good information there.

    Whether your cancer is rectal or anal, I welcome you to this board and hope that you'll find good information and support here.

    Martha 

     

    Hi Lisa

    Welcome to the board. You've been through a lot already - I hope this new journey flies by quickly with minimum side-effects. Please let us know how your appointment turned out. Wishing you wellness.

  • qv62
    qv62 Member Posts: 434 Member
    #6
    Lisa2012

    Welcome, I wish you the best on your appointment, let us know how you make out, I am Lisa also, I am awaiting scheduling of my radiation and also fearful, you have come to a good place, the board is a wealth of information and a source of comfort

  • TraceyUSA
    TraceyUSA Member Posts: 316
    #7
    Lisa

    Welcome Lisa.  I'm sorry for your diagnosis and all you've been through. 

    While each cancer is treated differently, I think that radiation to the pelvic area has similar effects for all who are treated with it.

    The radiation treament themselves were painless.  I just laid on the table and the machine went around me.  It probably lasted a half hour or less as Martha said.

    I had burns and irritation but the diarrhea was the worst for me.  I was given a low residue diet to follow (which I did), took Imodium and still had trouble.

    Thoughts & Prayers to you,

    Tracey

  • jcruz
    jcruz Member Posts: 379 Member
    #8
    Lisa

    Wow.  You've been through a lot already.  Your radiation treatment may be different than what most of us have had because it's a different cancer but I'd guess that the side effects will be similar since it's pelvic radiation.  I went from mild discomfort and itching to burns over the seven weeks of my treatment.  Initial problems handled with aquafor compounded with lidocaine and cortisone cream.  Lots of warm baths helped all the way through.  After treatment ended I used silvadene on the burns.  Also took oxycontin all the way through for pain.  

    My best wishes to you.  Please keep us posted.

    Janet

  • MsVJP
    MsVJP Member Posts: 12
    #9
    Radiation Fears

    I just had #25 of 32 radiation treatments and my radiation oncologist checked to see how my skin is doing. She said I'm doing an excellent job of taking care of my skin. I have minimal desquamation (skin peeling) and therefore, minimal pain. Here are some of the things I have done, with doctor's approval, that have worked for me. Hope this helps ... 

     

    From my very first radiation treatment I used Vaseline on the anus, perineum, and vaginal areas. I keep those areas moist at all times. During my first week of treatment, which included chemo, I went 3 days without a BM, so the infusion nurse insisted I talk Milk of Magnesia. Within 12 hours I had severe diarrhea that lasted 10 days. Immodium didn't help. So, I was given Silvadeine to use on the raw skin and I have used it a minimum of 3x a day and sometimes more, ever since that first week. I slather it all over the above mentioned areas. Oh, there is no problem having it on during radiation treatment. I confirmed that this morning with my doctor. In between using the Silvadeine, I apply Vaseline. When I am about to have a BM, I make sure I have sufficient Vaseline covering the anus to insure it is protected from the acids. I stopped wiping as soon as treatment started. I only blot and I use a moist towellete with zero alcohol, fragrance etc. I go without pants/panties and air dry as much as possible. After every BM I do a sitz bath with baking soda, even if I'm out when it happens. The first thing I do when I get home is sitz. 

    Controlling the diarrhea has been my biggest challenge and source of pain. My doctor told me to limit my intake of fiber and gave me Lomotil. I was taking 4 a day and it did nothing. So we added in 4 Immodium. Still no improvement. We eventually got up to 8 Lomotil and 4 Immodium before I found any relief.

     

    Hope this helps.....

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