Radiation during chemo - did anyone try this?

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ender
ender Member Posts: 167
in Breast Cancer #1
Hi everyone,

I am considering starting radiation while still undergoing chemo. Did anyone here try that? My radiologist said I can do it "if I am tough enough". She said there is no medical disadvantage, only potential advantage, to this choice. I will soon be fitted for my "body cast", and then I can start radiation when I want to. Sharing of any thoughts or experiences appreciated.

Eva
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  • Rague
    Rague Member Posts: 3,653 Member
    #2
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    Never heard of that! Unless
    Never heard of that! Unless you are talking about being on Herceptin and/or estrogen blockers.
  • LoveBabyJesus
    LoveBabyJesus Member Posts: 1,679 Member
    #3
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    I never heard of this
    I never heard of this either, but I have questioned the order in which Doctors treat us now. First chemo, then rad. Shouldn't it be the other way around?
  • MAJW
    MAJW Member Posts: 2,510 Member
    #4
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    LoveBabyJesus said:

    I never heard of this
    I never heard of this either, but I have questioned the order in which Doctors treat us now. First chemo, then rad. Shouldn't it be the other way around?

    No...
    No, It shouldn't be the other way around....chemo goes after, hopefully, any cancer that has possibly spread from the initial site, which needs to be eradicated as quickly as possible.... through out the entire body...radiation ONLY targets the breast tissue..
  • LoveBabyJesus
    LoveBabyJesus Member Posts: 1,679 Member
    #5
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    MAJW said:

    No...
    No, It shouldn't be the other way around....chemo goes after, hopefully, any cancer that has possibly spread from the initial site, which needs to be eradicated as quickly as possible.... through out the entire body...radiation ONLY targets the breast tissue..

    Thank you MAJW. It makes
    Thank you MAJW. It makes sense now that you exlain it this way. I feel slow during treatments sometimes. :-/
  • Rague
    Rague Member Posts: 3,653 Member
    #6
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    I'm IBC
    I'm IBC. I had Chemo (A/C) to try to get 'it' shrunk and margins so surgeon could 'get' it - nodes involved. I had surgery and the Chemo (12 weekly Taxol) again 3 weeks later and a week later after last Taxol started Rads, a week later started Femara.

    Because IBC is as aggressive as it is (basically the most aggressive form) my TX has been the most aggressive avaialable but I was never told to do Rads while still on Taxol.

    Susan
  • CAchick
    CAchick Member Posts: 277
    #7
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    My MD told me differently...
    Hi, I had chemo with Taxotere/Cytoxan. Then, rads. My MD made me wait about three weeks post chemo to "allow my body to recover a little" before starting rads...It seems to me that both at the same time would be horrendous on your body...Just my opinion, though...
    Good luck with your treatments however you plan them....
  • LoveBabyJesus
    LoveBabyJesus Member Posts: 1,679 Member
    #8
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    Just thought of something.
    Just thought of something. For me each treatment has been unique. Some days I have not been able to get out of the house, because of bone pains. Has your Dr. explained the possible side effects? I am concerned that IF you exp. some side effects with chemo treatment (let's PRAY not), that this may not allow you to get rad on some days. And wouldn't this decrease the effectiveness of the rad? I am not experienced with this. But I think this is why your Dr. says "if you are tough enough". Also I know how important energy is when recovering from treatments. It's important to rest when your body needs it. I am behind you on whatever you decide to do. But I wanted to share my thoughts in reference.

    Good luck!
  • Mitzi333
    Mitzi333 Member Posts: 511 Member
    #9
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    LoveBabyJesus said:

    Just thought of something.
    Just thought of something. For me each treatment has been unique. Some days I have not been able to get out of the house, because of bone pains. Has your Dr. explained the possible side effects? I am concerned that IF you exp. some side effects with chemo treatment (let's PRAY not), that this may not allow you to get rad on some days. And wouldn't this decrease the effectiveness of the rad? I am not experienced with this. But I think this is why your Dr. says "if you are tough enough". Also I know how important energy is when recovering from treatments. It's important to rest when your body needs it. I am behind you on whatever you decide to do. But I wanted to share my thoughts in reference.

    Good luck!

    My onc states...
    Once I finish my last 3 rounds of Chemo, we'll wait 1-2 months before starting RAD. He wants to allow my body to heal and recoup from the Chemo. Just my opinion... Chemo and Rad at the same time would be extrememly hard on the body. WOW... not sure how the energy level and side effects would be with both treatments on the same day. Perhaps check in with another medical professional for a 2nd and maybe 3rd opinion.

    Wishing you all the Best on your treatment plan.

    Mitzi ;0)
  • ender
    ender Member Posts: 167
    #10
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    Mitzi333 said:

    My onc states...
    Once I finish my last 3 rounds of Chemo, we'll wait 1-2 months before starting RAD. He wants to allow my body to heal and recoup from the Chemo. Just my opinion... Chemo and Rad at the same time would be extrememly hard on the body. WOW... not sure how the energy level and side effects would be with both treatments on the same day. Perhaps check in with another medical professional for a 2nd and maybe 3rd opinion.

    Wishing you all the Best on your treatment plan.

    Mitzi ;0)

    Thanks for all the replies,
    Thanks for all the replies, guys!

    I am already doing chemo, and tolerating it quite well. My radiologist said that was a prerequisite for letting me do radiation while in chemo treatment. With the radiation, Im just figuring "the sooner the better" from a treatment outcome point of view. My radiologist told me that this fall they will even start to give patients a blast of radiation during the breast surgery itself. This tells me that some smart doctors have figured "the sooner the better" is the way to go. I will see my MO this week and run it by her too.

    Again, many thanks for your thoughts!

    Eva
  • susie09
    susie09 Member Posts: 2,930
    #11
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    Rague said:

    Never heard of that! Unless
    Never heard of that! Unless you are talking about being on Herceptin and/or estrogen blockers.

    I've never heard of anyone
    I've never heard of anyone doing chemo and rads together. It seems many have chemo first to shrink the tumor, then have rads later to kill any stray cells after surgery.
  • Kylez
    Kylez Member Posts: 3,761 Member
    #12
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    CAchick said:

    My MD told me differently...
    Hi, I had chemo with Taxotere/Cytoxan. Then, rads. My MD made me wait about three weeks post chemo to "allow my body to recover a little" before starting rads...It seems to me that both at the same time would be horrendous on your body...Just my opinion, though...
    Good luck with your treatments however you plan them....

    If you need chemo, I thought
    If you need chemo, I thought it was before surgery and then you have rads?
  • butterflylvr
    butterflylvr Member Posts: 944
    #13
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    ender said:

    Thanks for all the replies,
    Thanks for all the replies, guys!

    I am already doing chemo, and tolerating it quite well. My radiologist said that was a prerequisite for letting me do radiation while in chemo treatment. With the radiation, Im just figuring "the sooner the better" from a treatment outcome point of view. My radiologist told me that this fall they will even start to give patients a blast of radiation during the breast surgery itself. This tells me that some smart doctors have figured "the sooner the better" is the way to go. I will see my MO this week and run it by her too.

    Again, many thanks for your thoughts!

    Eva

    I met a woman today while
    I met a woman today while waiting for my rad appointment. She is undergoing chemo and radiation at the same time. Mind you her cancer is not breast cancer it's something in her lung and one that they need to locate the "mother" tumor. Anyways for anyone that undergoes both chemo and radiation at the same time and you have a port surgically placed be careful of your port site. This poor gal was severely red around her port area. Seems the topical numbing spray they used also doesn't do well with radiation. Lesson learned for her, she now does without the spray. So watch those ports ladies..

    Lorrie
  • ender
    ender Member Posts: 167
    #14
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    butterflylvr said:

    I met a woman today while
    I met a woman today while waiting for my rad appointment. She is undergoing chemo and radiation at the same time. Mind you her cancer is not breast cancer it's something in her lung and one that they need to locate the "mother" tumor. Anyways for anyone that undergoes both chemo and radiation at the same time and you have a port surgically placed be careful of your port site. This poor gal was severely red around her port area. Seems the topical numbing spray they used also doesn't do well with radiation. Lesson learned for her, she now does without the spray. So watch those ports ladies..

    Lorrie

    Thanks Lorrie!
    I asked my Mo
    Thanks Lorrie!

    I asked my Mo about this today. She said a big fat NO to the suggestion. Because I am getting "the full dose" of Taxotere, it would somehow be really bad. She said something about how the skin reactions from the radiation will be much much worse because of the Taxotere. In a way I am relieved that I can't do it, because then I don't have to think about if I should do it or not.

    Thanks for thinking of me! I hope your rads are going well.

    Eva
  • DianeBC
    DianeBC Member Posts: 3,881 Member
    #15
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    ender said:

    Thanks for all the replies,
    Thanks for all the replies, guys!

    I am already doing chemo, and tolerating it quite well. My radiologist said that was a prerequisite for letting me do radiation while in chemo treatment. With the radiation, Im just figuring "the sooner the better" from a treatment outcome point of view. My radiologist told me that this fall they will even start to give patients a blast of radiation during the breast surgery itself. This tells me that some smart doctors have figured "the sooner the better" is the way to go. I will see my MO this week and run it by her too.

    Again, many thanks for your thoughts!

    Eva

    What you wrote about the
    What you wrote about the blasts of rads sounds very interesting and promising. I haven't read or heard of that. Thanks and good luck!
  • MAJW
    MAJW Member Posts: 2,510 Member
    #16
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    DianeBC said:

    What you wrote about the
    What you wrote about the blasts of rads sounds very interesting and promising. I haven't read or heard of that. Thanks and good luck!

    Both possible...
    Just got a new booklet from my oncologist, since I am facing chemo and rads, again...it talks about having both at once....

    If I am a candidate for it this time, I'm doing it....God, I don't want to have to do this again.....

    Hugs, Nancy
  • Kristin N
    Kristin N Member Posts: 1,968 Member
    #17
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    MAJW said:

    Both possible...
    Just got a new booklet from my oncologist, since I am facing chemo and rads, again...it talks about having both at once....

    If I am a candidate for it this time, I'm doing it....God, I don't want to have to do this again.....

    Hugs, Nancy

    When I had rads, there were
    When I had rads, there were several that were taking chemo at the same time as rads.

    ♥ Kristin ♥
  • TraciInLA
    TraciInLA Member Posts: 1,994 Member
    #18
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    Kristin N said:

    When I had rads, there were
    When I had rads, there were several that were taking chemo at the same time as rads.

    ♥ Kristin ♥

    Chemo & radiation simultaneously for other forms of cancer
    Like Kristin, when I was doing radiation, I met several people who were doing chemo and radiation at the same time -- but not for breast cancer. I got to know Linda, who had esophageal cancer, quite well, and I believe I remember the other two I met had lung cancer.

    I know it's just my anecdotal experience with a few people -- but I have to say, they all looked like they were being dragged through he*l with their treatments. Unless my doctors felt there was a real advantage to it, I personally wouldn't volunteer to try to do both at once.

    Just my thoughts,

    Traci
  • Rej0328
    Rej0328 Member Posts: 21
    #19
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    Hi everyone
    I just completed radiation and chemo at the same time for anal cancer. They told me the two worked together. I was wondering if anyone else out there went through the same thing. It's been a couple of months and I still feel pretty drained. The chemo was for two weeks. A long Monday at the cancer center and than I wore a chemo pack for the other 4 days and nights. I would go to my radiation treatments with the chemo pack on. Then I would get a couple weeks off and then do another 5 days of chemo.
  • MAJW
    MAJW Member Posts: 2,510 Member
    #20
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    Rej0328 said:

    Hi everyone
    I just completed radiation and chemo at the same time for anal cancer. They told me the two worked together. I was wondering if anyone else out there went through the same thing. It's been a couple of months and I still feel pretty drained. The chemo was for two weeks. A long Monday at the cancer center and than I wore a chemo pack for the other 4 days and nights. I would go to my radiation treatments with the chemo pack on. Then I would get a couple weeks off and then do another 5 days of chemo.

    Chemo/rads
    I just completed 25 radiation treatments while on an oral chemo for a recurrence of bc..each 5 days a week...off on the weekend...I just started back on the oral chemo after a 5 day break...will be on it for7 days and off for 7...this for 8 weeks...tolerated both well other than extreme fatigue....the oral chemo intensifies the radiation......
    Hugs, Nancy
  • mollyz
    mollyz Member Posts: 756 Member
    #21
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    MAJW said:

    Chemo/rads
    I just completed 25 radiation treatments while on an oral chemo for a recurrence of bc..each 5 days a week...off on the weekend...I just started back on the oral chemo after a 5 day break...will be on it for7 days and off for 7...this for 8 weeks...tolerated both well other than extreme fatigue....the oral chemo intensifies the radiation......
    Hugs, Nancy

    popular now!!
    I get the cure newsletter (email) and it was on there last week they really finding thats its working better than they thought.thats great news for all of us.

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