Radiation Treatments and Lung Cancer

maryaz

We get mixed messages on radiation treatments. At first I had read somewhere that if more than 22 radiation treatments could not do surgery. I found that not to be correct as people had surgery with more treatments. Seems there is something that works better if less treatments.

I have read anywhere from 22 to 37 radiation treatments. I am wondering, what, if any, is standard. We thought my husband was going to have 30 treatments. Now the radiation guy told him last week that he would have what I think is 5 more.

What is normal for radiation for lungs. This is just very very difficult to really get a handle on all that is involved with cancer and its treatments. Someone told my husband you could not have anymore radiation after this. Is that true.

Can anyone share their experience with radiation. We really believe my husband's problems are from radiation. They say no. The books say yes it can.
_________________
Mary

Husband is 67 year old Male
NSCLC - Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Chemo and Radiation Treatments together
Allergic reactions to Taxol and Taxotere.
The Story: http://www.cancerforums.net/about9079.html

pbj11 · Site Admin Joined: 12 May 2007 Posts: 1007

Hi Mary,

I'm sorry that there is more confusion for you over the radiation. It never seems that thing can go smoothly. I'm sure you are very frustrated. My husband didn't do much radiation, so I don't have information. I hope someone stops by that can help you.

You remain in my thoughts.

PBJ
_________________
Husband diagnosed with NSCLC Stage IV. (Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer) Fought & lived 2 1/2 years with multiple lines of treatment.

Post describing our battle: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=7026&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0

brainman

Mary, I am not sure there is a "standard". That range seems right. The actual number of treatments depends on a lot of factors including the size of the cancer and its exact location. The location is important because most of the time it is impossible to give radiation without affecting other organs and different organs can only take a certain amount of radiation.

You continue to be in my thoughts and prayers.
_________________
Jim
Site Administrator and long-term cancer survivor
1992 Astrocytoma grade 2, left motor strip
2005 Recurrence this time said to be an Oligodendoglioma grade 3, same location.
My Story Part 1: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?p=7350
My Story Part 2: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=8029
Blog http://jimhawkinsport.blogspot.com/

maryaz

Thank you both for the response. This doesn't seem to ever get any clearer. It just seems to get more confusing to us.

I am not sure at this point if I even trust anyone's response in the medical field. The Radiation Tech says one thing and the Chemo people say something else. How do we know.

Thanks.
_________________
Mary

Husband is 67 year old Male
NSCLC - Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Chemo and Radiation Treatments together
Allergic reactions to Taxol and Taxotere.
The Story: http://www.cancerforums.net/about9079.html

Tera · Senior User Joined: 31 Dec 2007 Posts: 158

Mary, do you have a primary oncologist, one who is managing/directing your husband's care and coordinating with the others? If so, maybe you could deal with that oncologist and let him deal with the other specialists.

I know it has got to be frustrating. And every case is different. Don't give up on your medical team. I'm sure each specialty area draws on the experience they have had with their patients. Unfortunately it is so hard for the patient and caregivers because we want and demand the answers and most effective treatments.

It can be a case of trial and error. My mom was supposed to have 4-6 weeks of radiation. She only made it through 10 and died a week after the 10th treatment. Her primary oncologist planned on her having chemo after the radiation and moved forward as if she would indeed be able to. Imagine my shock when mom could only get through ten WBR treatments. Everyone is just so different in how they respond to things. Our doctors, in most cases, make the best educated decisions they can.

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