Radiation to the rib bone

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La.Grammy
La.Grammy Member Posts: 35
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
My husband has colon cancer with mets to his rib bone.
The colon cancer was removed in 2008.
He has been on & off chem for the last couple of years.
The Dr now may do radiation on the cancer in his rib bone.
He said it would be 15 to 20 minutes a day for 2 to 3 weeks.
How bad are the side effects from radiation?
Any info will be appreciated.
Thanks
Jeannie

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  • taraHK
    taraHK Member Posts: 1,952 Member
    #2
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    radiation
    Hi Jeannie,

    I am sorry to hear your husband has mets to his rib bone. I have bone mets right now, being treated with chemo----we'll see how that goes.

    I haven't had radiation to the rib/chest area. But, I underwent radiation soon after my cancer was diagnosed (rectal, stage III) - at that lower area. My radiation was 5 days a week for 5-6 weeks. I think it was about 15-20 minutes each time -- like you.

    One common side effect of radiation is fatigue. For me, that didn't start till after 2 weeks, but then it lasted about 2 weeks after the radiation ended (so, a delayed effect). Not too serious -- but I did enjoy a nap each day!

    I had diarrhea, but that was probably because of the site of my radiation. Some people get a bit of skin burn (like a bad sunburn) -- but again that might have been worse for me because of the sensitive area (!). I hope rib area wouldn't be so bad.

    Does he get to choose what time of day to go? If so, thats nice as you can work it into your schedule....Getting the hospital, waiting, changing (if necessary) takes more time than the radiation itself!

    Good luck and best wishes to you both

    Tara
  • rthornton
    rthornton Member Posts: 346 Member
    #3
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    I have a large tumor on my
    I have a large tumor on my side that seems attached to the ribs, that has been through radiation twice. I also had some different areas treated with radiation before all that, so I have been through it three times. Each day I went in for radiation (the first time it was 10 days, then 5 days each time after that), they got me in and out quickly, with the treatment itself only lasting a couple of minutes. I haven't suffered much in terms of side effects. I did get what looks like a sunburn in the areas treated, and the hair disappeared, but that's about it. The problem is that it didn't really work for me! The tumors are all still there and are as big as ever in all their glory. I will meet with the radiologist soon to discuss the situation. I am also very fatigued these days, but that could be from many things.

    (By the way ... Hi, Tara! It's been a long time. I hope things are going well enough for you!)

    Best of luck with the radiation!

    Rodney
  • La.Grammy
    La.Grammy Member Posts: 35
    #4
    Options
    taraHK said:

    radiation
    Hi Jeannie,

    I am sorry to hear your husband has mets to his rib bone. I have bone mets right now, being treated with chemo----we'll see how that goes.

    I haven't had radiation to the rib/chest area. But, I underwent radiation soon after my cancer was diagnosed (rectal, stage III) - at that lower area. My radiation was 5 days a week for 5-6 weeks. I think it was about 15-20 minutes each time -- like you.

    One common side effect of radiation is fatigue. For me, that didn't start till after 2 weeks, but then it lasted about 2 weeks after the radiation ended (so, a delayed effect). Not too serious -- but I did enjoy a nap each day!

    I had diarrhea, but that was probably because of the site of my radiation. Some people get a bit of skin burn (like a bad sunburn) -- but again that might have been worse for me because of the sensitive area (!). I hope rib area wouldn't be so bad.

    Does he get to choose what time of day to go? If so, thats nice as you can work it into your schedule....Getting the hospital, waiting, changing (if necessary) takes more time than the radiation itself!

    Good luck and best wishes to you both

    Tara

    Thanks for the info.
    We will
    Thanks for the info.
    We will try to go early & be the first in line if possible.
    We are very fortunate to be self employed (online pet supply) so I am able
    to go with him to his treatments.

    Take care,
    Jeannie
  • La.Grammy
    La.Grammy Member Posts: 35
    #5
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    rthornton said:

    I have a large tumor on my
    I have a large tumor on my side that seems attached to the ribs, that has been through radiation twice. I also had some different areas treated with radiation before all that, so I have been through it three times. Each day I went in for radiation (the first time it was 10 days, then 5 days each time after that), they got me in and out quickly, with the treatment itself only lasting a couple of minutes. I haven't suffered much in terms of side effects. I did get what looks like a sunburn in the areas treated, and the hair disappeared, but that's about it. The problem is that it didn't really work for me! The tumors are all still there and are as big as ever in all their glory. I will meet with the radiologist soon to discuss the situation. I am also very fatigued these days, but that could be from many things.

    (By the way ... Hi, Tara! It's been a long time. I hope things are going well enough for you!)

    Best of luck with the radiation!

    Rodney

    That sounds just like my
    That sounds just like my husbands tumor.
    It is about as big as my hand.
    One doctor said the Zometa had it all wrapped up.
    2nd doctor may want to do radiation.
    We should find out for sure on Monday.

    Take care,
    Jeannie

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