Radiation to liver

Mouse88
Mouse88 Member Posts: 8
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
In Sept. I had a liver met removed, but because of the location of the tumor, there was a small area where the surgeon couldn't get a clean margin. I have gotten an opinion from MD Anderson that they could do radiation to that area. Has anyone out there had radiation to the liver? How bad are the side effects?

Comments

  • Sundanceh
    Sundanceh Member Posts: 4,392 Member
    CyberKnife to Liver
    CyberKnife would be the recommended approach for radiation to the liver - it is highly concentrated and highly precise - this requires "markers" to be placed in and around the
    tumor in the liver first - through laprascopic or full open procedure.

    An MRI or CT will probably need to be done - the surgeon and radiation oncologist would
    consult and diagram the course of action - X's and O's if you will, so these coordinates and
    path of distribution would be programmed into the CyberKnife computer.

    Then, you wear a special vest with "hook ups" that get connected to the machine - what this
    does is to compensate for your breathing while keeping the treatment continuing so the
    radiation stays on course and does not deviate to other organs - it stays where it was
    programmed and when you breathe in and out, it automatically makes the adjustment for you.

    Treatmnents are usually 2 hours a piece - and can be between 3-5 total treatments.

    It worked well for me and cleaned up a huge tumor I had locally - systemic chemo followed.

    Hope this helps.

    -Craig