Sign in | New here? Sign Up
A community of cancer survivors supporting each other.

All Radiation Therapies - Description and Side Effects

Breast Cancer Radiation Therapies

What Breast Cancer Survivors said about their Radiation Therapies



Radiation was the hardest for Kathy a lot of little pains and soreness.
Over 6 weeks--it was very sci-fi--but ok
35 sessions of radiotherapy. Side effects - Local skin irritation. Fatigue.
Radiation was started immediately after the chemo (at my insistence, I wanted it all to be over with). My blood count dropped so low, even my doctors didn't want to be around me! I went for 37 times. And now I can say that I have 9 (prison) tattoos.
Started radiation on 9/8/08. 5x/week for 6 weeks.
I had fatigue with radiation. Went on an alternate work schedule during treatment.
6 week daily course of radiation...September/October of 2008....side effects showed up later: exhaustion, dehydration, and eventually lymphedema as well as pneumonitis in right lung.
12/27/10
I had 36 treatments of radiation. From July 8-06-August 16-06. I did get burnt and was applying aloe every day. I did get tennis elbow as a result of the radiation. I then had to have therapy for that.
I got celulistis of the breast towards the ends of radiation
having radiation now until september 21st
Radiation in 1991 to my right breast and in 1992 to my left breast. No significant side effects.
I will have to do 6 weeks of radiation, after chemo
28 radiation treatments, then 8 boosts.
Mammosite 5 day 2 times a day, a little sun burn. Right Breast in 2006. Left this 2011. The Breast to be removed.
Won't know until the lymph nodes are tested. Post Op note: yes, 6.5 weeks of radiation will begin in Jan. of '11. 9 nodes taken three, including a sentinel, had cancer.
Aug 29 for 4 weeks plus a day
To be determined
This may be in my future, but just chemo for now. When I go for chemo, I tell myself: "I am one day closer to remission and without this treatment, I don't have a chance."
following surgery radiation to large area of back from four vantage points; usual side effects of radiation plus nausea and diarrhea because rads went through tummy and intestines to get to spine
Radiation started in Jan 2009-lost my hair, pain in my arm went away but I lost the use of my left hand.
July 7/11 First appointment - followed by 25 treatments
1995, no side effects
33 treatments
Starting June 29th 2010
See full list of What Breast Cancer Survivors said about their Radiation Therapies

Prostate Cancer Radiation Therapies

What Prostate Cancer Survivors said about their Radiation Therapies

The 39 trip to Radiation treatments were pretty anticlimactic. Thank god my job worked with me and let me leave early each day. Can't imagine if they didn't worked with me. I was lucky there! Never had any pain from the treatment and very little if any side affects. They is nothing to be worried about in this treatment as far as I'm concerned.
Burning senceation when urinating May 2000 to July 2000
to my back, ten treatments, now i need to self catherize and have a blood clot in my entire right leg
40 treatments in 2005. Difficulty holding bladder.
IMRT, 36 treatments, Sep 20-Nov 8, 2011. Side effects: the usual suspects -- GI and bladder/urinary irritation. Please write for details.
February 2003. Side Effects - ED, Tiredness, fatigue, hot flushes, Radiation burns to anus and buttocks, rectal leaking and short term memory loss.
NONE!!
3 months of conformal radiation at Tufts New England The radiation caused the bladder cancer and much irritation
Nuclear Oncology 41 treatments 11/08 no side effects
Will begin in three weeks as I di the implants on 11th Of Oct not sure what is next
41 sessions to pelvis area and prostate, using Orbit Arc, some side effects; dizziness, burns, medications helped ease the process
None. Had surgery not worked I would have been put on radiotherapy but thankfully it was not needed.

Lung Cancer Radiation Therapies

What Lung Cancer Survivors said about their Radiation Therapies

36 treatments...
37 treatment of radiation 5 times a week which meant 71/2 weeks of treatmen No side effects
Mevatron radiation for brain on Nov 22, 2012
35 treatments daily for 7 weeks 1998
radiation starts on March 8th
Weill have gamma Knife radiation to brain lesions
Just started 4/22
Radiation started 10/10/07 and I go M-F once a day for 6 weeks
4-12-10 targeted therapy radiation
Pelvis (aug '07) radiation to area possibly weakened femur in hip area - Fell Jan '10 and broke left hip - surgery to pin hip Jan '10 Left Adrinal Gland Area Sept '09 - Side effects - damaged about 1/2 of left kidney and about 1/3 of pancreas Lymph node in the lower middle back May '10 Left Lung and lymph node in left arm pit May '10 side Effects -fatigue
15 days of 30 treatments. Extreme nausea-vomiting ribs and back hurt from A:cancer B:radiation C:surgery D: all above
December 2004- Radiation to large tumor in lung. October 2005- Radiation to tumor in lung and spine. August 2008- Radiation to spine. May 2010- Full brain radiation.
None to date - The surgeon and oncologist felt that I should wait before starting chemo or radiation and be on the anti-fungal medication, indicating at least a year, to see if once the infection was gone, the remaining spots in my lungs would be gone. In January of 2010, I lost my job, medical insurance and the financial ability to continue the meds. I've recovered enough to find work and have been there long enough to receive medical insurance...now to find the courage to return to the doctor and take up where we left off, uhhh less the pre-existing conditions...to be continued...
Radiation was declined at this time.
5 days of radiation Feb, 20-26 sore throat for 2 days tired
35 radiation treatments, some sore throat and trouble swalowing.
Starting radiation with my second chemo on the 24th of august 2010
Ten whole-head treatments ending on 22 April 2010. Side Effects - loss of hair.
Will start this next week.
Feb. 24, 2009 Gamma knife radiation perfexion treatment The procedure is nothing short of a miracle in technology, however it requires a metal `cage` to be attached to your skull. That process is brutal, as it the pressure release when it is removed. But they got em' so it was worth it :)
Radiation 08/10 to 9/10. Side effects: soar throat, difficulty swallowing, and fatigue.
October 2008 Radiation. Max dose. She can never receive it again.
9/12/08 gold seed marker placement-inferior right hepatic lobe 9/22-9/26/08 Cyberknife radiation for liver metastasis
I started radiation treatments on October 25, 2010. I'm not sure what all of this means but my total dose is 6,120cgy. I have 34 treatments total; so I receive 180cgy a day, monday through friday. So I should finish around December 13, 2010 depending on if I miss any days or if my oncologist wants to change my plan. My side affects aren't too bad. I already have some shortness of breath so I don't think it is from the radiation. I have really sensitive skin so It is kind of red, so the therapists gave me some cream to rub on it. They mentioned that my skin will get worse before it gets better.
10 brain treatments 9/16/09 to 9/29/09. 5 treatments targeted at mass in top of right femur 9/21/09 to 9/25/09.

Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma Cancer Radiation Therapies

What Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma Cancer Survivors said about their Radiation Therapies

Radiation daily for 3 weeks ending 28/6/2012
Expected January 2013 x 30 days.
June 30th 2009, forgot how much the dose was, it was everyday for the whole two months. Side effects: burned skin, loss of appetite, hair loss, sore throat, gastric pain.
Intensity modulated radiation therapy, June 7th- July 12th 2012.
Radiation therapy was (25) Involved Field Radiation over 5 weeks, March 29th through May 2nd 2012. The radiation treatment itself was painless, although the mask and tongue guard were uncomfortable. The side effects were progress skin burns, mouth sores, difficulty swallowing, and nausea. The side effects subsided a couple of weeks after treatment ended.
May & June '10. Back burning.
no radiation
Bunch of long words
Brain Tumor 25 years later.
luckily for me , i don't have to undergo radiation
R-Chop R-Ice
non yet
Radiation October 2004
I hear you're pretty pukey but thats about it. Oh and it melts your innards and body externally.
not part of treatment
radiation to left chest - side effects: feeling of a lump in my throat, fatigue
relapse cancer - radiation (June, 2011)
None yet, though I get some if chemo doesn't kick it.
20 sessions of radiotherapy on my mediastinal mass which caused damage to my left lung and heart in May - June 2012. The side effect I had was tiredness.

Kidney Cancer Radiation Therapies

What Kidney Cancer Survivors said about their Radiation Therapies

Palliative Radiation for bone metastases (20 Gy/5 fractions) Dec 2012 Metastron Feb 2013
My husband had radiation at the site of his neck surgery.
no treatment yet?
10 days of radiation,difficult to say what side effects were from Radiation, Sutent (oral chemo) or Aredia (IV drip for bones)

Pancreas Cancer Radiation Therapies

What Pancreas Cancer Survivors said about their Radiation Therapies

no radiation or anything else just chemo
Radiation Therapy June 2011 for 5 weeks
Radiation - Jan 2013-March 2013; Reported weight loss, nausea, some disorientation on dehydration.
N/A would not help his type of cancer
Radiation - 6/14/10 to 7/22/10 Monday through Friday: Had some bad mornings starting about halfway through, but always seemed to feel better after his treatment. At night, the upset stomach side effects would kick in.
will be starting after Christmas
Radiation to start on Oct.25th for new tumor on 1st surgical bed thats not responding to other treatments..
Every other day radiation
Radiation once a day Monday - Friday for 5 weeks along with the 5-FU pack.
Mom chose not to do radiation
Xeloda Jan 2008-May 2008

Oral Cancer Radiation Therapies

What Oral Cancer Survivors said about their Radiation Therapies

Loss of taste, acute mucositis, loss of hair at back or neck, blistering of throat.
33 IMRT Start date 3/18/2011. Mouth sores ( treating with Manuka honey ) stiffness in operated areas, fatigue, some hairloss in zapped area - so far not too bad... No burns yet. No taste.. Ugh!
25 treatments, 9 days in every 2 weeks - partial hair loss, starting 1st week in February this year, finishing March 18th
37 radiation treatments from late Sept to the end of November of 2007. Side effects all my saliva gland were destroyed. I can't hardly eat anythin because I have no saliva. swallowing is hard. I also have a different voice now. People call me sir all the time. And I stay tired still. Nerves are shot and now taking anti- depressants
35 Rads Mid - 5 days a week for 7 weeks. started July 2008 - OK at first - Got weaker- drove myself first couple of weeks- lost good judgment- totaled my car- wife drove me after that...got down to an old man's shuffle at the end.
No radiation
35 IMRT treatments Dates: starting late August and ending November 11, 2011. Side Effects include; Dry mouth especially at night weak weight loss and muscle atrophy loss of appetite (food just tastes bad period) Mucus in mouth during the day
72 gy of radiation (before the advent of IMRT)
Tomotherapy
June 2009. not many, all related to not being able to swallow without pain. Important to get help, magic mouth wash, pain meds. Liquid diet essential

Ovarian Cancer Radiation Therapies

What Ovarian Cancer Survivors said about their Radiation Therapies

Jan - Feb.2011 pelvic rad. ( for bone mets - palliative )
Fatigue nausea diarrhea dental problems severe digestion issues
stay tuned....
low dose whole abdominal radiation + pelvic boost
No radiation done
Currently deemed unnecessary (following pathology). Will reassess in February 2012 to see of radiation of supraclavicular lymph nodes is required.
None to date
Radiation is new for me so Ill let you know as we get there
Radiation therapy to the abdominal/pelvic area; diarrhea, abdominal cramping
august 09: radiation in my stomach, new tumor 6 cm
pelvic rad. for bone mets January 2011

Thyroid Cancer Radiation Therapies

What Thyroid Cancer Survivors said about their Radiation Therapies

RA-131 74.4 Mci on June 5th. Side effects included swelling of my throat and neck, headache, nausea and eventually really nasty taste in my mouth. June 12th - full body scan, results were good, and follow up on July 24th with blood work. August 2010 follow up blood work and neck ultrasound which still shows NED. Lasting side effect from RAI - Blocked saliva glands, jaw pain and constant headache. Saliva started improving in July 2010 - but still have the pain and headache.
Ouch March 2009 Pain in my neck, face, and teeth
7/20/10: Radioactive Iodine Therapy
RAI- extreme jaw, throat, and salivary gland swelling.
RAI-Radioactive Iodine Abalation on 9/8/2009-some activity noted in the thyroid area, but no where else.
Radioactive Iodine on August 2, 2010. I was very sick to my stomach for about 5 days.
4/28/09 - 150 mCi RAI
Radiactive Iodine - February 2007.
Took internal i-131 radiation, was sequestered from all life (and my 9 month old baby) for 3 days - I still wonder about the long term effects of that radiation....
Radioactive Iodine (RAI), 02/05/2009
I will begin within a month
8/30/11: I recieved the I-123 scan. 9/2/11: I had I-131 treatment, which is a radioactive iodine pill that kills off the cancerous thyroid tissue. The only side effect that I expericenced was a temporary loss of taste.
RAI treatment- Still waiting on date.
Jan 13th 2012 first round of I-131 - Loss of taste buds, bad taste in my mouth, nausea, swollen glands, and sore throat.
RAI December 2012. Currently have some dull neck pain. Scan showed uptake in thyroid bed and "thymus"
Radioactive Iodine 94mci, 2005
Radio Active Iodine treatment scheduled for June 2012
October 30, 2008 radiation, confined to my room in quaratine for 3 days.
I completed RAI-131 in December 2009 and follow up scans until 2010. Follow up ultrasounds with lymph node mapping tests continue.
I had the iodine radiation. No real side effects. worst thing was having to be away from my little one.
Radiation scheduled for June 30 in Dallas. Body Scan scheduled 2 weeks after radiation. Goal is the radiation will kill any cells remaining in my body.
Radiation treatment to begin February 20, 2012. Two days of intramuscular shots then a pill of 50 micrograms. Currently on synthroid every day.
Radioactive Iodine-131: 4/16/10 - 7 days total quarantine. Irritated lung tissue, scalp sores, dry mouth, nausea.
December 12, 2012, no side effects
150 meq. radio-active iodine
See full list of What Thyroid Cancer Survivors said about their Radiation Therapies

Stomach Cancer Radiation Therapies

What Stomach Cancer Survivors said about their Radiation Therapies

Left skull base October'09. Dehydration, hair loss, weight loss, ringing in ears with a pressure that felt as though ears were going to explode. Blisters on ears both inside and out and raw peeling facial skin. January '10 another round of 15 treatments on pelvic area and spine. Unable to walk, numbness of entire lower body and left leg. Effects still going on to left side of body. Feet freeze like they are always in a vat of ice. They are very heavy feeling as though they are being dragged. Hole through the center of back. I assume this is where the radiation burned thru the body.
Doctor saids he want help.
radiation 1989 - ignorance is bliss....I didn't find the treatment too bad, maybe 'cos I'm able to block out the "what if" questions (or as my wife prefers to put it, I am too stupid to get worried)

Brain Cancer Radiation Therapies

What Brain Cancer Survivors said about their Radiation Therapies

August and September 2007, Hair loss at site, nausea, redness and burning at site. August 2009, Minimal Side Effects
6-08 IMRT, It made me tired!
Alot of skin burning and pain associated with that.
6 weeks completed 1-19-09
right now 10 rounds on the one left in my brain, and the spots that the other 2 was removed from
Started radiation November 9, 2011 -6 week course - to early to see much reactions as yet
6000 rads over 6 weeks (200 rads/day M-F)
Microradiosurgery done in Singapore. Given 30 Gys in 10 fractions. Started on April 15, 2009. Hair loss in some places.
Radiation started in the end of Feb. went 8 weeks of treatment-fatigue, hair loss in area of tumor, memory loss
Radiation
Just started radiation on 1/3/2011 Completed Radiation on 2/17/2011
non so far she hasn't healed from surgery
Radiation - 6 weeks ends August 24th
6 weeks of radiation - hair loss - tired.
1/12/12 - begin daily radiation for 6-7 weeks.
radiation daily for 6 weeks. started with just burns on my head. get the blue light special during radiation. hair started falling out this weekend (9/26)
42 days of radiation. Lost my hair, fatique, nausea, headaches.
6 weeks of Radiation. finished last treatment 6-28-2011
started 9/13/2010-weekdays, mostly tiredness
Picking neuro-oncology now
5 minutes of radiation on my brain. February 2,2010
30 treatments in March/April 09 with headaches, loss of appetite, increased thirst, feeling of being hot
DATES: Jan06 - Mar06 Side Effects: Hair loss, metalic taste when receiving radition, nausea, sensitivity to sun
Starts radiation 9/12/11
5940cg craniospinal radiation. Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. New York, NY. 33 treatments. Start date: 02/14/96. End date: 03/30/96.
See full list of What Brain Cancer Survivors said about their Radiation Therapies

Multiple Myeloma Cancer Radiation Therapies

What Multiple Myeloma Cancer Survivors said about their Radiation Therapies

November 2010. No side effects.
4/2010
Was nauseated after almost every session. Due to the back pain it was extremely hard to get from the stretcher to the table. It always felt like i was getting stabbed in the back. Loss of appetite.
12 treatments to shrink the sacrum tumor 1/29 to 2/29 side effects none
one very strong round of total body lymphathic radiation

Colon and Rectal Cancer Radiation Therapies

What Colon and Rectal Cancer Survivors said about their Radiation Therapies

Feb 15th - March 19.
Sept. & Oct. 2005- every day for 5 weeks (except for Sat. and Sun.)
no radiation
25 days of radiation. had to stop midway due to extreme diarrhea Finished treatment Wed 18,2009
Radiation began in June 2008 for 25 sessions. Suffered anus hernias and a damaged tail bone. The hernias were treated with a sith bath and the tail bone recovered by March 2009. Minimal hair loss around the pelvic area.
Begining 1-18-11, 5 days a week, weekends off...
28 days of RADS ,a small amount of weight loss.tired,raw butt
28 doses of radiation.
5 weeks 8/23/10 through 9/27/10 fine until third week. Began lots of anal and vaginal iching and bleeding for two weeks. I went to gynocologist because my vagina was so sore and bleeding that I could hardly walk. He gave me 2% lidocaine which helped in both areas. Had to urinate frequently from third week until about six weeks post radiation. Nausea I have very achy joints in my hip and upper legs area and my legs ache and throb still.
None and none
Radiotherapy on the spine, section C7; May-June 2010, 16 sessions over two weeks, 5minutes each session. The first few days there were not much side-effects. Towards the end of the first week, the throat began to hurt, and there was increased difficulty in swallowing. The voice soon became raspy and coarse. The soreness of the throat and lost voice persisted for around 6-8weeks. There were increased phlegm and saliva production, which mum said tasted "chemical" and would spit out quickly. On the skin, a red rash began to show, and the doctor advised to avoid sunlight, as the rash will darken. Treatment with CyberKnife also carried out on the spine. Results are yet to be assessed, and the doctor said it will take around 3months to see any visibly reduction in the tumour.
I had radiation therapy in 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2005. The only side effects were fatigue and on one occasion, a bowel blockage (this was before the colostomy).
5 weeks of radiation and chemo. July 2007
5 days a week for 25 sessions; then 3 intense bouts. Started March 8th. Recently pain at site, diarrhea, cramping
4th week in radiation
2/1/2010-3/11/2010 not bad, but tiring!
WEEK 1 - AUG 16, 5 out of 25 done!!! no pain during treatment, no side effects. Noticing tender when wiping butt but not too bad.
12/06 to lower back, fatigue, 1/11 to brain and ribs, fatigue
none required
Radiation therapy for six weeks resulting in damage to bladder and intestines.
Radiation - March - April 2011 for 5 weeks - 5 days a week Pain, hemerroids, vaginal pain, bladder infection
Dec. 29, 2009- Feb. 5, 2010 Fatigue, sores on bottom, bone thinning in my sacral area
from jan/08 to march/08 severe vaginal burning,fatague, loss of appetite,vomiting.
six weeks radiation; ending 7/12/10. This is my last week and i am having a very hard time eliminating. Feels like i am passing glass and i will see the doctor tomorrow to see if he can give me anything to make this any easier for my last five days.
i started with 28 treatments and have just over 10 left. i go mon thru fri 8am and have to drink enough liquids or else i feel sick. it hurts like hell i have radiation burns now and when i have to use restroom my insides are raw and i feel everything burn and stretch and a lot of times i sit there cursing and sometimes get tears.
See full list of What Colon and Rectal Cancer Survivors said about their Radiation Therapies

Liver Cancer Radiation Therapies

What Liver Cancer Survivors said about their Radiation Therapies

Radioactive spheres injected into the liver. May and September 2009. Thought it had worked but didn't
i will tell you

Cervical Cancer Radiation Therapies

What Cervical Cancer Survivors said about their Radiation Therapies

coming up
Targeted radiation five days a week for five weeks, beginning April 27, 2010. Fatigue; skin darkening; bowel irritation; queasiness; hair loss in radiated area (yay!).
25 external radiation treatments over 5 weeks, three days of internal radiation with hospital stay.
Radiation side effects were just becoming exausted. I was pretty healthy until I got cancer, never had any health issues and never had to take any medication before.
External for 3 weeks daily, Internal for 5 treatments and TOMO for 5 treatments. Internal was the hardest on Aimee because body parts had to be temporarily moved to get to the right spot. Darkening of skin and loss of skin in genital area.
alot of fatigue, upset stomach, darkening of skin, irratated skin in area involved, sores from radiation--started treatment in February 2006 (28 sessions of external pelvic radiation)
I'll be having radiation and Chemo after surgery (Happy, Happy, Joy, Joy! LOL)
For me radiation was a breeze..I had no side affects outside of hairloss in the treated area. I also had 2 internal rads which seem to last forever but I made it!!
Radiation Oct 07-Dec 07 5 weeks of daily external radiation, then 3 days of Brachytherapy in hospital. Burning in pelvic area, frequent loose stools (5-6 times a day) frequency and urgency with urination. Really bad fatigue, lasted a long time after. Oct 09 External radiation to vag 10x (2 weeks). burning in vag/urethra, pain on urination, radiation burns on outside of thighs (entry points) fatigue.
pain, N&V, Menopause, Exhaustion, Depression 10-09 to 1-30-10 SECOND ROUND OF EXTERNAL BEAM RADIATION 01-01-11 to 02-17-11
fatigue, constant nausea, uncontrollable bowels, diahrea from hell!, dehydration. A couple of blisters on my hiney. The good news: the bleeding stopped after the second radiation treatment. Brachytherapy, 4 sessions, was interrupted for a blood transfusion for critical low blood cell counts.
25 external radiation treatments 2 internal radiation treatments
menopause (there had to be some bonus!).
diarrohea and severe pain of the bowel and stomach cramps, off food for a few weeks
currently on external beam but will have two sessions of brachytherapy which I am dreading
bracheythreapy (internal radiation) very uncomfortable stayed in the hospital for 4 days . had to lay flat on my back for 4 days with minimal movement . they gave the radiation twice a day . there was 19 catheters inserted into the tumor where they ran the radiation in and out . my legs hurt for a couple weeks after. bleeding stopped after 2 days. some nausea for a week after.
Internal and External Radiaiton-2nd and 3rd degree burns on affected area-very painful
Radiation starts withen the next 3 weeks. I will have 25-28 external rads.. 5 times a week. 5 internal rads once a week starting the 15th treatment.
Tired. Nauseau. Diarrheia
Had external and internal (brachytherapy) radiation over a six week schedule. 28 external rounds and 5 internal rounds. Radiation was concurrent with chemotherapy (cisplatin) for 6 weeks once a week. Seriously fatigued for at least six months post treatment.
Nausea and fatigue, Extreme Vomiting, Neuropathy
28 external and 3 internal radiation
Started external radiation on 2/4, to have 25 treatments; then 2 "internal" ones fatigue, but can't blame it all on radiation
02/2010 - 03/2010 28 external and 3 internal rad.
IMRT started 7/7/08
See full list of What Cervical Cancer Survivors said about their Radiation Therapies

Larynx Cancer Radiation Therapies

What Larynx Cancer Survivors said about their Radiation Therapies

35 radiation treatments starting May 2
36 total radiation sessions February 02 - March 25, 2011. After about 13 sessions my throat pain required ongoing codeine relief, and the skin on my neck began showing signs of intensifying sunburn. By the end of February my voice went missing and is just starting to return as June begins.
First treatment December 19,2011
Nov 30th-Jan 14, 2010 Neck and lower face was a serious sunburn, Lots of swelling on the inside, no appetite-lose your taste buds where everything tastes like card board. Fatigue that is hard to describe.

Acute Myeloid Leukemia Cancer Radiation Therapies

What Acute Myeloid Leukemia Cancer Survivors said about their Radiation Therapies

Total Body Irradiation, June 2012. Side effects: vomiting, ovarian failure (now on hormone replacement therapy)
Recieved 4 days of fullbody radiation for the Bone Marrow Transplant. I actually didn't feel too bad but the fatigue was huge.
January 2010. Nausea. Later/cataracts. General weakness
Treatment for osteosarcoma, three years ago.
No radiation so far. Thank God!!

Hodgkin Lymphoma Cancer Radiation Therapies

What Hodgkin Lymphoma Cancer Survivors said about their Radiation Therapies

86 treatments of what was referred to as Cobalt 80,full scan and mantle, 1975 & 1976.
I will start radiation after the chemo ends!
After chemo - 3 weeks of radiation was a walk in the park for me! I took up raquetball (not generally recommended by any doctor, other patients etc!)
Radiation therapy (RT), 2000 rads for 22 days, were given to areas of initial bulky disease. (middle of chest cavity)
No radioation
Received 5 weeks of localized radiation to the chest
No never had radiation.
Haven't started yet
Start treatment on the 25th, chemo is the only treatment on the menu so far.
I didn't have an side effects from the radiation!
Radiation in July 2008. I was very fortunate and blessed not to have any side effects from radiation.
Radiation therapy to field covering the mediastinum and bilateral hilar areas - 180 cGy per day to a total of 1980 cGy over 11 fractions. Radiation to the para-aortic and lumbar fields - 180 cGy per day to a total of 1980 cGy over 11 fractions. (1/30-2/13/92). I had persisting problems with nausea and vomiting throughout much of the radiation but it was reasonably controlled with Phenergan.

Testicular Cancer Radiation Therapies

What Testicular Cancer Survivors said about their Radiation Therapies

had no treatment

Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia Cancer Radiation Therapies

What Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia Cancer Survivors said about their Radiation Therapies

Weakness, fatigue
Vomiting Sleepy
Never had any
Full-body radiation 2 times daily for 4 days. Dry mouth and ulcers in the throat and intestines.
Total Body Irradiation, 8/10/10-8/13/10. Felt a little tired. Make sure you eat well prior to radiation treatments. I got a little "sun burn."

Anal Cancer Radiation Therapies

What Anal Cancer Survivors said about their Radiation Therapies

30 treatments from Mar 15 thru Apr 26, 2011. Side effects were extreme fatigue, burning of the rectal area and groin, violent diarrhea, pelvic stiffness.
Began 1/23/2012; End date scheduled for 3/5/2012
Radiation began 11/26/12 should end Jan.11/2013. Side effects so far are extreme itching, fatigue, nausea, diarrhea.
Radiation April thru May 2011 Severe diarrhea 2nd degree burns to perianal area abdominal pain, ilius for 1 week went to the hospital with fever and belly pain
scheduled Jan 4 2010 for 6 weeks
11-16-09
Half way through now!
Pelvic radiation; July - September 2006 Side effects became so severe required hospitalization during final week of treatment.
28 treatments total. swelling/pain/bleeding
IMRT: May 18, 2009 to June 26, 2009 - 5 days a week
6 weeks radiation. Started March 4th. Monday-Friday. I am starting my 3rd week tmrw So far only vaginal and anal itching....
Starting radiation March 19, 2012 daily for 6 weeks.
Start date 28 Jan 2013
9/97-12/97
skin fell off. All my private skin fell off...(OUCH). Peeing without skin is no fun.. HUH! still cant wear clothes that bind...
6 weeks of treatment, lost 30 pounds. My stomach was wretched!! And still hasn't returned to normal. Something I will always have to live with.
I had an amazing radiation oncology team. In February 2010 underwent 6 weeks of radiation combined with cisplatinum and 5FU. The side effects are harsh skin burns, diarrrea, dehydraition, but I made it through it without a break and recovered in about 3 weeks with the incredible support of the radiation oncology team.
November 22 - January 12 30 treatments total (Chemo pump first and final week of treatment) Treatment was suspended for 5 days due to drop in blood counts from chemo. Burned areas during the last days of treatment causing TEMPORARY painful bowel movements and urination. I have just entered the worse of the worst days and can't wait to get through the weekend. Come on Monday!
I started radiation on December 29, 2009.
has not started yet
7 weeks
Scheduled to begin 10/18/10 for 5 weeks
IMRT, 25 sessions, burning and swelling
7 weeks, 7 sites. I suffered severe burns to the groin/perineum (hyper response) Hospitalized for 2 weeks blood tranfusion, pain control and burn care.
33 treatments radiation treatments. Had to have a 2 week break after my 2nd week of chemo and 25 radiation treatments because urinating became so painful. Nausea, diarrhea, low red & white blood cells, low potassium.
See full list of What Anal Cancer Survivors said about their Radiation Therapies

Bone Cancer Radiation Therapies

What Bone Cancer Survivors said about their Radiation Therapies

2002 45 mins a day, 5 days a week, for 6 weeks. Burns
I wanted another baby hopefully if chemo didnt kill my ability

Eye and Orbit Cancer Radiation Therapies

What Eye and Orbit Cancer Survivors said about their Radiation Therapies

Radioactive plaque 09/09 Extreme tiredness at times, still get that. Sore eye for a short time, nowhere near as bad as I had imagined:)
Plaque brachytherapy - July 2003. Plaque inserted on Friday morning and removed Monday night. Long, long weekend in isolation and having to carry a geiger counter around. Eye was puffy, bloodshot for a long time, painful and vision deteriorated quite rapidly. Now have retinal detachment, pretty lousy vision in that eye and grey areas on the sclera (white of the eye) that may be burns from the cauterisation tool or where the sclera has thinned due to the radiation. Last November (2007), it was noticed that the edge of the tumour is still growing in some areas and I have therefore had to have these treated with Transpupillary Thermotherapy (laser).

Nose, Nasal Cavity and Middle Ear Cancer Radiation Therapies

What Nose, Nasal Cavity and Middle Ear Cancer Survivors said about their Radiation Therapies

7 weeks / 5 days per..I have not started yet. Went for 1st simulation appt. Second schedlued for Friday. And Off I go shortly after that!

Nasopharyngeal Cancer Radiation Therapies

What Nasopharyngeal Cancer Survivors said about their Radiation Therapies

Radiation given from January to April 20 Side effects: loss of saliva, vomiting, weakness, dehydration, esophagus shrinkage
1st" dec 2002 - Jan 2003 to neck - saliva affected, have little saliva have to clean mouth all the time. 2nd round: Dec 2008 to lump in throat as x-ray showed nodules in both lungs
Meeting with Radiation Therapist on May 3rd to determine how much treatment will be necessary.
radiation therapy ending 5/29/12

Ureter Cancer Radiation Therapies

What Ureter Cancer Survivors said about their Radiation Therapies

Linear radiation March to May 2007. Three brachy-radiation treatments in June 2007. Side effects some bowel problems, diarrhea.

Esophagus Cancer Radiation Therapies

What Esophagus Cancer Survivors said about their Radiation Therapies

Too many radiation treatments to count.
5 weeks of radiation September - October, 2012. Very tired. No burns at all to skin. I did what the doctors/nurses told me to do! Very, very sore throat. Could barely swallow but forced soft foods the entire treatment.
radiation from 11/1/97 to 12/15/97
Two weeks of radiation was fine. Fatigue.
The Radiation burned my throat and cause my taste bud to malfunction I had to be tube fed for about 4 months I will suffer for dry mouth for life I'm told.
Radiation to esophagus and abdominal lymph node March/April 2008 Radiation to supraclavicular lymph node January/February 2009

Tonsil Cancer Radiation Therapies

What Tonsil Cancer Survivors said about their Radiation Therapies

35 sessions Sore mouth,painful eating drinking, neck rash Weight loss
first three weeks we're a breeze until we hit 4th week. she felt nauseous, blisters in her throat,mouth,and then when we hit the 5th week her skin broke open on the outside. from the bottom of her ears, to her chest. this is from june til july 9th 08
01/07/07 34 sessions side effects facial hair gone no bad thang!! and the one most of us suffer from dry mouth a real pain but hey in the uk water is everywhere isn't it?
Jan 21-
Scheduled 7 weeks IMRT start 3/19
35 daily Radiation Treatments, extreme sore throat at the 3rd week. My biggest challenge was phlem that collected in my throat, causing coughing, sleep deprivation, and breathing difficulties. Lost 32lbs and was put on a G tube and Narcotics as needed, which has been every 4 hours. Lost hair on the back of my head, but that is supposed to come back.
Started on August 1o 2011 and end at September 5th 2011, starting my third week, so far some hair loss, partial loss of taste and dry mouth, no bad, fatigue,
IMRT 33 sessions, ended 9/11/09
7 weeks (m-f) of radiation with one week off in the middle of treatment along with one day of chemo every week. Began treatment in Nov. 08
2/11 70Gy IMRT 8/12 15Gy IORT 10/12 50Gy IMRT
I no longer have saliva, the taste of food is terrible. My thyroid is out of whack!
Six weeks radiation estimated to begin week of 9/10/12
SEE DOCTORS FOR TREATMENT ON THURSDAY THE 5TH
IMRT (proton) to neck region. Total 70 Grey in worst area, 62 Grey in least radiated area. Got severe radiation burns to my neck which manifested in the last few days of treatment, and took 2 months to completely heal. No oral lesions (I applied aloe vera directly to my gums immediately upon getting off the table following each IMRT). The biggest side effect was damage to my taste and salivary glands, and to my soft plalate. Taste was completely gone from 4th week to one month following completion of treatment, then slowly returned (to some extent). Thick ropy mucus seems to be forever.
IMRT 2009 for Tonsil Cancer (Right side) Second round IMRT 2012 (Left side)
Nerve damage that was painful for several months.
Start on March 29th 2011.
Radiation start date - 12/5/11 5x/wk. x 7 wks. Mouth sores, sore throat, hair loss on back of head - just a strip between the ears, cold all the time, more tired than normal
Did excellant from Radiation (33) treatments.
IMRT November 2011 - January 2012
28 treatments.
Should start 7/16/2012
Radiation treatments 35, side effects severe like sunburn, sore throat, couldn't eat for months, swollowing very difficult. I'm going to loose my teeth decaying at a fast rate and nothing they can do for me. Dentures will be my next step and not sure if they will work with no saliva gland. Destroyed saliva glands, thyroid, and teeth.
I will start radiation on Monday, October 19th, Monday through Friday for seven weeks.
8 weeks of radiation tx. until April 4, 2011. Bronzing (nice phrase for 2nd degree burns) of neck. N & V. wt loss. loss of job. loss of salivary glands and sense of taste (I miss chocolate)
See full list of What Tonsil Cancer Survivors said about their Radiation Therapies

Endometrial-Uterine Cancer Radiation Therapies

What Endometrial-Uterine Cancer Survivors said about their Radiation Therapies

28 external and 3 internal rad.
Started 5 weeks of external beam radiation in June of 2008. I had alot of nausea and loss of appetite, painful radiation burns. Damage done to ureters which caused me to have additional surgery in July and August of 2008.
five weeks external beam radiation April, 2011-May, 2011 In-Patient HDR interstitial Brachytherapy 6/13-6/16/2011 Extreme diarrhea causing 2 days of in-patient hospital stay constant Dehydration requiring many infusions
25 cycles of daily external radiation. June-July 2011
5-6 weeks of radiation planned after chemo is completed
brachy UGH UGH UGH!!! Not the most pleasant experience for sure!! 4 treatments and side effects to look forward to vaginal stenosis... so far no side effects 2 down 2 to go
August 14th 29 days and then 2 internal treatments. Side effects irritated skin, diarrhea, less energy.
30 radiation treatments, five days a week for six weeks
No side effects
Haven't started yet. Need advice.
25 external and 3 internal radiation March - April 2011 horrible burning and pain.
6 weeks external beam some localized skin issues,,,,,late onset diah, naus--- ***BRACHEYTHERAPY HURT LIKE A BITCH - MOST GOD AWFUL THING I EVER FELT IN MY LIFE - VERY SICK for a few weeks
About halfway through my 25 radiation treaments extreme exhaustion, and lack of control on bowels, which cleared up few weeks after radiation stopped.
Don't know yet...
Feb-April 09 Internal (3x) and about 6 weeks of external, monday thru friday. I only had diarrhea once and no other side effects, people were so nice at LIJ.
November 2011-December 2011--25 days; long-term damage to bladder resulted in one week of hospitalization for blood clots, incontinence, extremely painful urination; serious bladder infection; low white blood cell count; burns on skin around hips and upper thighs; serious digestive problems; lost weight; 1 month after treatment had cytoscopy to confirm radiation cystitis; 6 months after treatment am taking Oxybutynin Chloride for ongoing bladder problems; felt pain in flanks during treatment, later problems with knees that come and go.
I just completed 5-weeks of radiation therapy on January 11. Side effects included an annoyed bladder, loose stool, light fatigue.
5 sessions of High Dose Brachytherapy will be done between 3rd & 4th chemo sessions (mid-June).
Started 4 weeks after chemo. 25 external for 5 weeks. The only effects were bouts of dysentery and pain in the area treated, no skin problems. You feel worse toward the end of the week as it builds up. After #25 I had one internal treatment per week for three weeks. Radiation made me exhausted every day because it's such a grind. Talking to other patients you learn it's quite different for everyone.
Started pelvic Aug 2, 2009 for 28 days. Finished with no side effects!
Started Sep26 2011. Every weekday for 7 weeks. Last treatment (high dose) planned for 11/11/11.
initially told not need 7/6/09 told raDIATION WILL BE NEEDED WHEN I HEAL FROM MY SECOND SURGERY..MY SURGEON NEVER CHECKED THE NODES WHEN HE DID HYSTERECTOMY I HAD TO FIND A NEW SURGEON AND HAVE LYMPHN NODE REMOVAL 8/6/09 27 NODES REMOVED NO CANCER
Radiation Tx for Vaginal Tumor - 4/20/09-5/5/09 (mom is fatigued, loss of appetite) Radiation Tx for Metastasis on Ribcage - 4/27/09-5/8/09 Mom developed a UTI that went unnoticed - doc said it was normal pain - this delayed her chemo tx.
None required
March 2010 - April 2010 29 external and 3 internal rads. horrible burning, fatigue, diarhea, UTI
See full list of What Endometrial-Uterine Cancer Survivors said about their Radiation Therapies

Sarcoma Cancer Radiation Therapies

What Sarcoma Cancer Survivors said about their Radiation Therapies

December 2012-February 2013 Proton Beam Radiation, Massachusetts General Hospital
Radiation from November 2010 - January 2011. Radiation burns toward the end, low blood counts, and always tired.
Radiation treatments started February 4 and end on March 23, 2011. My prescription is 66Gy over (7weeks) 33 treatments. Locally, the area being treated hurt pretty bad from being burnt to a crisp, but otherwise I still had lots of energy and I felt great.
1 treatment of Radiation ; in Oct 2008 . Side effects - Horrible burn and pain . Alot of fatigue .
Like having a severe sunburn on the back of my throat. I could not even swallow my own saliva. I lost 30 pounds and became extremely dehydrated.
5 weeks of radiation - feeling tired and extremely fatigued after the sessions were over, radiation burns on back on leg that developed into very painful blisters. Radiation oncology nurse was so caring -- she made up an ointment to use that took away the pain and helped with the healing.
Radiation (Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy)
Her first doctor didnt do enough or the right kind of chemo....the INSURANCE COMPANY wouldn't pay for the correct treatment.
Radiotherapy for 5 weeks from last week of june 2010. My skin became very sore and a section of it peeled off. My skin has darkened there and has stayed hard in that area.
Still to be determined.
Radiation I had every day at Palmerston North Hospital for 7 weeks - that was the maximum I could have before it gave me cancer!! Started in early Feb 2009 through until April 2009. I got extremely tired, exhausted with no energy at all! I also got a small radiation burn, but was controlled with creams and ABs.
2005 - on L5; 2007 - on L3; 2011 - on left femur & L4
To control size of tumor to right pelvic area
Finished radiation therapy on around December 24, 2010. He had six weeks of radiation therapy, and had to receive treatments five days a week for those six weeks.
I start exact radiation on 6-19-2012 for 6 weeks

Parotid Cancer Radiation Therapies

What Parotid Cancer Survivors said about their Radiation Therapies

1st treatment 9/12/12 left jaw in pain from being stretched open and pushed by the mask; by 10th treatment, almost impossible to swallow, even water, because throat is so tight and sore and mouth & tongue are so sore

Skin Cancer Radiation Therapies

What Skin Cancer Survivors said about their Radiation Therapies

could have had radiation but chose Mohs surgery

Throat Cancer Radiation Therapies

What Throat Cancer Survivors said about their Radiation Therapies

TOMO Radiation started Feb 23, 35 treatments that are Mon-Fri until April 12th.
1 month
I'm at #17 out of 35. Burning and dry mouth.
IMRT radiation started 11/17/09. Side effects were almost immediate - nausea and tiredness. Not too long before I lost all appetite. Thank goodness I have a PEG tube.
Radiation for 33 times
NONE - Refused radiation on six separate ocassions
April - June 2009 Loss of Taste - most regained Loss of Saliva Production - some regained 35 Exposures Amifostine Injections to the Abdomin each day
Due to having a bit of tumor left, I am waiting to find out if I will need radiotherapy.
Every day, Monday through Friday, starting May 4, 2010. Side effects are extreme sore throat, dry mouth, fatigue, loss of taste buds. Taking pain meds for throat pain. The worst part for Tim is wearing the radiation mask.
Months of radiation that covered both my head and chest area. I no longer have salivary glands and I suffer from dry mouth (xerostomia) -- which means that I drink about a gallon to a gallon and a half of liquid every day. Taste has dramatically diminished and has been altered.
33 rads treatments starting January 2009... in which it did not touch the cancer .I had a small burn on throat from rads.
Started December 14, 2010. Five days a week treatment. Severe oral mucositis and recently the first week of January, 2011 developed chronic skin abrasions on my chin and upper lip area, which made me look a monster! That being treated with bactroban.

Tongue Cancer Radiation Therapies

What Tongue Cancer Survivors said about their Radiation Therapies

Seven weeks Jan 4 thru Feb 19, Mon-Fri of TOMO radiation. At the end, severe burnt neck especially my right neck area. Severe sore throat.
Burned neck and throat and burn on neck got infected...my skin peeled, but little scaring
I started My radiation the first week in July and had alot of side effects. Many many sores in my mouth and thrush constantly. Also i was told i was very sensitive to the radiation and had so many sores and burns on my neck. I have a lot of scaring left.
Side affects were hideous.. She experienced a very deep painful burn on her neck.plus a percutaneous endoscopic (PEG)
July 6 Radiation and 1st Chemo begins
60 Grays (Gy) of radiation
Radiation to begin next week, 5 days a week. Began on 8/23/12.
I've already been through IMRT (radiation) for Tonsil Cancer in 2009. So, they can not do radiation to the same part of the body twice.

Nose Cancer Radiation Therapies

What Nose Cancer Survivors said about their Radiation Therapies

Radiation side effects included loss of taste, trouble chewing, sore gums and teeth

Ear Cancer Radiation Therapies

What Ear Cancer Survivors said about their Radiation Therapies

Proton Therapy test

Hodgkins Lymphoma Cancer Radiation Therapies

What Hodgkins Lymphoma Cancer Survivors said about their Radiation Therapies

Cobalt Radiation on full chest and abdomen area's. I am proud of my 'Tatt's'! One thing that is just part of it all is the Pneumonia and other illnesses that comes from the low immunities can be some of the scariest and biggest battles we face. Too, with every new procedure and surgery, at least for me, my recovery times seem to be much longer. But despite the illness and weakness that chemo and radiation leaves you in ... if you are still breathing it is a gift.
radiation was brutal and side effects were phnuemonia

Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Cancer Radiation Therapies

What Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Cancer Survivors said about their Radiation Therapies

June 28, 2010-June 31, 2010 - IBR - twice a day for 15-20 minutes a session.

Uncategorized Cancer Radiation Therapies

What Uncategorized Cancer Survivors said about their Radiation Therapies

image guided IMRT starting 10/16/06
haven't started yet
See my website
Starting April I had 25 radiation treatments 5 days a week for 5 weeks. It burned the outer part of me to the point that my skin blackened. I could not walk or sit without hurting,even standing made me weak. Then I had a two week break before I went into the hospital for internal radiation treatments.I was to have 5 high dose treatments done all in one week where i would go in the morning for treatment and at night for another treatment. Monday I went in to have it surgically put in,had a treatment...had another treatment that next day. Then the doctor decided it could be better so he took it out and made some changes.He had me come back 2 weeks later and finished up the last 3 treatments by putting me back in the hospital and surgically implanting the radiation device again.My doctor was very particular about how he did everything and he took such good care of me.
Months of April and May. I had swelling of the feet. Not sure if it even worked.
25 External Rads 3 Days of brachytherapy, the worst experience, very painful, had to lay on my back for 3 days, when they removed the 27 needle implants it was most excruciating pain I have ever experienced. The pain meds in my pump made me very sick. I have had no lasting side effects from my rad treatments. I am very fortunate. Re-treated 2/16 thru 2/18 with Cyberknife for relapse.
MD wanted to hospitalize me for entire round of 5 wk (daily) radiation for pain control but refused - took several months to get through it- terrible radiation burns
yr 1990 yr 2010
I was radiated on a Belly Board, a little different from what I have read on most web sites for Anal Cancer. I was face down on the board, and the machine circled me, doing 8 "zaps" as it went. I seem to have fewer bowel issues, due to this method of treatment, than most I have read about. My radiologist said it was more bowel sparing.
Image Guided Radiation Therapy -- a form of high-dose radiation. While it promises low chance of incontinence and ED, I have not escaped mild ED and take Viagra and Cialis, which both work pretty well.
I had recently in my head. Feels burns in the local.
30 radiation treatments to left hand and forearm 25 radiation treatments to left axillary and chest 5 radiation treatments to both legs 5 radiation treatments to right sacrum
Gamma Knife Procedure performed at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center by the esteemed doctor, L. Dade Lunsford. It was performed in 2005. I did not experience any significant side effects from having the procedure.
Thyroid ectomy and I am following up with radiation in June.
Had radiotherapy in hospital for my back last December and it was a strange sensation but so tiring as well. My scar still shows sign of burnt skin from the chemo although have been told this will fade in time.
Radiation is to follow chemo, should begin in November.
No more results
Full List of All Radiation Therapies