How many radiation sessions did you get?

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Lisa 00
Lisa 00 Member Posts: 134 Member
edited March 2014 in Uterine/Endometrial Cancer #1
It's funny. From everything I've seen, everyone gets 25 radiation treatments. My 25th time will be this Thursday. Now my radiologist is telling me that my treatment was, "25 then reevaluate." Meaning he wants to tack on "2 or 3" more sessions. I think the term "reevaluate" means to check to see if the patient still has minimal life threatening side effects like UTI's or low blood counts and tack on 2 or 3 more treatments because it's good for the books and won't do the patient much more harm.

You see, I've been nautious and weak and having fun with diarrhea management for a while now. I've already negotiated the "2 or 3" down to 1, meaning I'm done this Friday. But I'm still irritated (read: mad) about the whole thing and I'm really considering refusing anything beyond 25, even ONE more.

So, my question is: Has this happened to anyone else?

Comments

  • kellyw314
    kellyw314 Member Posts: 51
    #2
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    HI Lisa,
    I had a similar
    HI Lisa,

    I had a similar experience - my gyn/onc told me he was recommending 25 external beam treatments - I met with rad/onc and she said she was also recommending 3 internal treatments - mid-way thru external treatments, she said based on research she was going to add 3 more external treatments in lieu of the internal treatments - reason: my tumor was in the upper third of my uterus and she did not believe the possible side effects of internal dictated that plan -- ironically the radiation machine was scheduled for maintenance on a Friday, thereby extending my last treatment to the next Monday - the tech suggested I asked the rad/onc if I could finish on Thursday instead - she was most agreeable and adjusted the dosage of radiation I received on Wed and Thurs and I was finished with only 27 treatments - I didnot suffer many nasty side effects from my treatment however with only minor bowel issues, easily resolved with immodium
    kelly
  • kkstef
    kkstef Member Posts: 688 Member
    #3
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    Radiation schedule
    Lisa..

    I had 25 external beam treatments to my pelvis plus 5 "targeted" external beam to the vaginal area. Initially the radiation oncologist was considering 3 brachy treatments but after his initial evaluation decided that they brachy was not indicated and felt the "targeted" external beam to the vaginal area would be better.

    I had minimal side effects other than some GI symptoms which I handled with immodium.

    (I had Adenocarcinoma, Grade 11/111 and Stage 3A. Chemo followed radiation).

    Wishing you the very best!!

    Karen
  • Ro10
    Ro10 Member Posts: 1,561 Member
    #4
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    Lisa I had 28 external radiation treatments
    When I first saw the radiation onocologist he said 5 - 5 1/2 weeks of radiation. I ended up with 28 treatments. I too was nauseated from the radiation treatments. I have a sensitive stomach, so I was not surprised. Did not have any nausea from the chemo. After the external radiation, I was admitted to the hospital to have the internal radiation. The cylinder was inside me for a long 28 hours. I was glad when that procedure was over. I had minimal diarrhea from my radiation, and have not noticed any effects from the radiation which I finished in May. Good luck with everything.
  • Lisa 00
    Lisa 00 Member Posts: 134 Member
    #5
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    Ro10 said:

    Lisa I had 28 external radiation treatments
    When I first saw the radiation onocologist he said 5 - 5 1/2 weeks of radiation. I ended up with 28 treatments. I too was nauseated from the radiation treatments. I have a sensitive stomach, so I was not surprised. Did not have any nausea from the chemo. After the external radiation, I was admitted to the hospital to have the internal radiation. The cylinder was inside me for a long 28 hours. I was glad when that procedure was over. I had minimal diarrhea from my radiation, and have not noticed any effects from the radiation which I finished in May. Good luck with everything.

    radiation
    Kelly, Karen, Ro,

    Thank you for relating your experience and your support. They tell me that Friday, number 26, is my last time. That the doc has adjusted the dosage to end that day. I am happy. Then it's two weeks off and I'll get 3 internal radiation treatments. Hopefully they won't make me nauseated.

    Ro, I don't know when you had your internal radiation, the the doc was just telling me yesterday how I'm lucky that I won't have to go through what you did with the hospital admission, etc. He said I'll get the 8 minute treatment each time. I too did not get nauseated from chemo.

    Lisa
  • lindaprocopio
    lindaprocopio Member Posts: 1,980
    #6
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    Lisa 00 said:

    radiation
    Kelly, Karen, Ro,

    Thank you for relating your experience and your support. They tell me that Friday, number 26, is my last time. That the doc has adjusted the dosage to end that day. I am happy. Then it's two weeks off and I'll get 3 internal radiation treatments. Hopefully they won't make me nauseated.

    Ro, I don't know when you had your internal radiation, the the doc was just telling me yesterday how I'm lucky that I won't have to go through what you did with the hospital admission, etc. He said I'll get the 8 minute treatment each time. I too did not get nauseated from chemo.

    Lisa

    I had 28 rounds external pelvic & 3 internal brachys.
    I knew going into radiation that they were going for 28 IMRTs & 3 brachys. We were always going for a cure for me, and that meant aggressive treatment, as much as my body could take. I think when you have IMRT you can do the extra externals easier than traditional external rads.
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    #7
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  • Chris43
    Chris43 Member Posts: 2 Member
    #8
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    How many radiation sessions did you get?
    I am stage IVa and I had 25 external rads.
    I stopped after 25 rads because of horrible cystitis, diarrhoea and burning sensation.
  • wannaknow
    wannaknow Member Posts: 12
    #9
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    Chris43 said:

    How many radiation sessions did you get?
    I am stage IVa and I had 25 external rads.
    I stopped after 25 rads because of horrible cystitis, diarrhoea and burning sensation.

    radiation
    Hi... I was first told i would have 25 treatments... then met with radiologist onco and he said he wanted me to have 35 treatments... geeesh.. soooo I had 7 weeks (35 treatments) I must say, it wasnt as bad as i thought it would be. I also had 1 brachy (vaginal) treatment.. the last 10 external radiations were focused on pelvis, so i only needed 1 vag treatment.. (was going to have to have 3 vag treatments)
    Im feeling great... still have a little swelling in rectum.. slim stools. its been 3 weeks since treatment.
    was dx stage 3. Had chemo before radiation.. carbo/taxol 6 treatments.
    Love,Kim
  • Teemac
    Teemac Member Posts: 26
    #10
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    GOING THRU IT ALL NOW
    HI I WAS TOLD FROM THE GET GO THAT I WOULD HAVE 28 EXTERNAL TREATMENTS AND THEN WE WOULD ACCESS TO DECIDE HOW MANY INTERNAL TREATMENTS I WOULD HAVE. I WAS TOLD THERE IS LITTLE SIDE EFFECTS. THE SIDE EFFECTS WHERE LISTED AS DIAREHHA AND FREGENCY IN URINATION THAT WAS IT. I JUST HAD MY 5TH TREATMENT TODAY. I HAVE HAD DIAREHHA, NASUEA AND EXTREME FATIGUE. I HAVE THOWEN UP A COUPLE OF TIMES AND HAVE LOST 4LBS SINCE MONDAY. NOW THEY ARE TELLING ME I NEED TO GAIN THE 4LBS BACK OR REPEAT THE PICTURES AND SCANS SO THEY CAN MAKE SURE THEY ARE STILL TARGETING THE RIGHT AREAS. SO FAR I HAVE NOT HAD FUN WITH THIS AND I STILL HAVE 23 TREATMENTS TO GO.
  • Claudee
    Claudee Member Posts: 1
    #11
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    How many sessions are minimum

    I had full hysterectomy in March. I am scheduled for 25 sessions. I have completed 22 and 5 weekly chemo. I could not go on Monday. Friday I started diarrhea again (20 times or more) constant urination. Everything burns and hurt inside and outside. I have some blisters outside too. I don't mind tiredness and weakness but the pain is constant. I also lately felt pangs of pain in one spot in the front of the legs right at hip level. This does not look good. Brach is scheduled for June 2. Not sure what to do. Stop at 22 and go for brachy once healed or let it go. I read that whether there is radiation or not survival rate is not significantly improved. Grateful for your insights.

  • Soup52
    Soup52 Member Posts: 908 Member
    #12
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    I had 28 external and 3

    I had 28 external and 3 brachyatherapy. My extreme tiredness increased with treatments. No real burns and brachytherapy was very painful.

  • Kvdyson
    Kvdyson Member Posts: 789
    edited May 2017 #13
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    Hi Claudee, I had 28 external

    Hi Claudee, I had 28 external sandwiched between my 3rd and 4th chemo treatments. I was lucky and had no major side effects. Are you taking Imodium AD for the diarrhea? That is what my rad-onc advised that I take, if needed. Also, I took probiotics daily and I think they really helped. Have you told your rad-onc medical team about the side effects you're experiencing? 

  • KatnHat
    KatnHat Member Posts: 27 Member
    edited May 2017 #14
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    25 here

    Hi, I had 25 external and am awaiting my final of 3 brachys tomorrow. I'm stage 3C2 and had a radical hysterectomy and 18 weeks of chemo. I lost 20 pounds at the beginning of external radiation due to slight nausea plus pretty bad diarrhea and vomiting the last two weeks. I was told at the beginning not to lose or gain weight. So much for that...! The brachy was very painful for me, due to extreme vaginal dryness plus a fairly narrow vagina. I asked for a topical anesthetic (lidocaine) for the next one and it really helped. I'm already using Replens; would suggest using it the night before treatment.

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