Radiation aftereffects

Craig_Griffin
Craig_Griffin Member Posts: 52
in Head and Neck Cancer #1

I began Radiation Oncology during the summer of 2008 and was instructed to cover up from the sun. On my exit interview that aspect was missed due to more major considerations such as if my taste, salivary glands or hair would return.

Years later I avoided the sun but this week I began cryogenic treatment for Actinic Keratosis, which might be skin cancer. The spot is about 8mm in diameter. This is not bad considering that I had stage 4 throat cancer before this. I have had many aftereffects from previous cancer treatment, but will be positive and not mention them, just my current skin condition.

I have had 8 different spots appear on my face or forehead. I was able to remove most of them, and used frankincense and myrr to heal them and to reduce how bad they look. They are under control and are barely noticeable.

My primary care physician treated one near my temple, but said the other spots “were OK”. I am awaiting blood test results for a combo of PSA (for prostate cancer) and other results. The Keratosis spot will need more treatment; it has turned  very dark and has not reduced in size.

My questions:
1. Does anyone have experience with head and neck radiation that knows if we are to stay covered from the sun for the rest of our lives (Due to the radiation  that we had)?

2. I am beginning to study my current skin condition. Aside from good diet and common sense are there any other ointments or suggestions that might help prevent these spots?   

 

 

 

Comments

  • CivilMatt
    CivilMatt Member Posts: 4,724 Member
    #2
    sun & skin

    CG,

    I have always heard from this site that you should take precautions (sun screen or hat).  I know that Skiffin16 likes  to wear his Boonie hat.  I like hats and sunscreen.  I was more careful the first few years than I am now, but I try to remember.

    Sorry about your situation and remember, we all (I believe all) share some of your side effects from H&N treatments.

    Matt

     

  • Hondo
    Hondo Member Posts: 6,636 Member
    #3
    Radiation & the Sun

     

    Like you and Matt I too was told to stay out of direct sun light, and I did for a few years. Now I am about 14 years passed my first and 12 years passed my second treatment of radiation; and I am always in the sun light; and don’t see any difference. In fact I like being in the sun light because it keeps me warm.

     

    Tim

     

  • sophiaporter
    sophiaporter Member Posts: 1
    #4
    Hello

    Hello

    My main concern after radiation is the fluid in my ear. It is siannoying that l cannot hear to well in my left ear. I am still having the side effects with the sores in my mouth taste buds comes and go. Before l had treatment l also developed bell palsey to where my left just continue to tear alot. I am so fed up with the side effects from treatment. The fluid in my ear l was wondering is it going to go away or can the ENT doctor prescribe me with something to dry it out? I cannot take it 

  • Craig_Griffin
    Craig_Griffin Member Posts: 52
    #5
    sophiaporter said:

    Hello

    Hello

    My main concern after radiation is the fluid in my ear. It is siannoying that l cannot hear to well in my left ear. I am still having the side effects with the sores in my mouth taste buds comes and go. Before l had treatment l also developed bell palsey to where my left just continue to tear alot. I am so fed up with the side effects from treatment. The fluid in my ear l was wondering is it going to go away or can the ENT doctor prescribe me with something to dry it out? I cannot take it 

    The Ear

    Sophia, I was astounded that my doctors were puzzled about my right ear problem after radiation. They had me doing strange breathing execises "trying to equalize the pressure". Finally a particular ENT doctor (as though he never heard of this before) decided to perform an operation and pierce the eardrum and put in a drainage tube. I put cotton in that ear for more than a year since the pressure was still draining out. 

    Then my Cobra insurance ended and I had no insurance at all until I was able to get Obamacare much later. My eardrum was still troublesome until I relocated back to Michigan and a skilled ENT removed everything from my right ear drum a few more years later. Today I am still partially reading lips since my hearing is poor. It is not so much a hearing problem as it is a swelling and a newly diagnosed Vertigo problem now.

    After more than 30 CAT scans and PET scans I have a constant inflammation and swellling condition. Ibupropen and Tylenol help a little. There is the aspect of a "New Normal" after cancer trteatment. Stay positive because I still find that life is good. I am looking forward to adult class in church tomorrow. Through all this my faith is made stronger.     

  • jackflash22
    jackflash22 Member Posts: 524 Member
    #6
    sun cancer

    i have been told by my eye surgeon that the cancer in my lower eyelid is definitely the result of being in direct sunlight for years living in a hot country, I have BCC which isn't a deadly cancer but can be disfiguring. On the other hand we living in uk don't get enough sunlight and have been told to take a supplement D vitimin so what do you do stay in the sun or get rickets!!!!!!!!

  • Ladylacy
    Ladylacy Member Posts: 773 Member
    #7
    Radiation

    My husband was never told, even after 2 rounds of radiation two years apart and at two different facilities, to stay out of the sun.  He grew up in the country, his parents farmed and he was always out in the sun without a hat or sun screen.  He did have two different spots on his face in later years that were squamous cell cancer that were moved.  Then several years later he was diagnosed with squamous cancer on his larynx.  I have asked could the squamous on his face gotten into his blood system and spread.  Several doctors said yes, a skin doctor said no, and then I met a woman whose husband was undergoing treatment and she told me that he was diagnosed with squamous on his head and when they went to remove it, it well all the way down into his brain.

    My husband rarely went outside with a hat on or sunscreen, even after treatment.  I had to take a hat out to him especially when he was cutting the grass and/or doing yard work.  You couldn't keep him in the house, he loved the outdoors.

  • Craig_Griffin
    Craig_Griffin Member Posts: 52
    edited August 2016 #8
    Ladylacy said:

    Radiation

    My husband was never told, even after 2 rounds of radiation two years apart and at two different facilities, to stay out of the sun.  He grew up in the country, his parents farmed and he was always out in the sun without a hat or sun screen.  He did have two different spots on his face in later years that were squamous cell cancer that were moved.  Then several years later he was diagnosed with squamous cancer on his larynx.  I have asked could the squamous on his face gotten into his blood system and spread.  Several doctors said yes, a skin doctor said no, and then I met a woman whose husband was undergoing treatment and she told me that he was diagnosed with squamous on his head and when they went to remove it, it well all the way down into his brain.

    My husband rarely went outside with a hat on or sunscreen, even after treatment.  I had to take a hat out to him especially when he was cutting the grass and/or doing yard work.  You couldn't keep him in the house, he loved the outdoors.

    Radiation Covering Up

    As I was told from the start "Everyone's cancer is different, and every patient responds differently to the treatment." My radiation went from conservative to a very agressive target area, it was the maximum exposure that is given for my stage 4 tongue base mass squamous carcinoma. I was told in very definate terms to stay covered and sure enought the radiation alone caused 2nd degree burns for the 2.5 months that I received it.

    So perhaps it is at the Oncologist's discretion as to whether one needs to cover up.

    Meanwhile my first treatment of my actinic keratosis reduced the size of the tumor. Per what my doctor said I will schedule a 2nd treatment and if it doesn't remain gone it will be checked for malignaancy.

     

  • Craig_Griffin
    Craig_Griffin Member Posts: 52
    #9
    CivilMatt said:

    sun & skin

    CG,

    I have always heard from this site that you should take precautions (sun screen or hat).  I know that Skiffin16 likes  to wear his Boonie hat.  I like hats and sunscreen.  I was more careful the first few years than I am now, but I try to remember.

    Sorry about your situation and remember, we all (I believe all) share some of your side effects from H&N treatments.

    Matt

     

    Sharing

    Matt,
    Yes when I was in the middle of the stage 4 cancer treatment I found a lot of solace by talking frequently on this site. Additionally I had a very good cancer support group that met every week.

    I was so elated when after one year of Chemo & Radiation, I was declared "cancer free". Then I moved from Chicago area back to Michigan and found that so many protocols were very different. My follow up missed a lot of considerations.

    Back to my old group of cancer group friends many had continuing cancer spread to different areas> I was told to "expect it" to spread to larynx, lungs, or brain. Thank God it did not.

     

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