Richard has mentioned that the right side of his neck (tumor-side, lymph node area) seems to be getting bigger. His mask for radiation treatment is snugger than it was in the beginning.

Is this cause for concern or not? Possible collateral damage of the radiation causing normal tissues/nodes to swell? Is this something you folks have typically experienced?

When he asked the doctor, they told him that tumor shrinkage would not happen right away, since the radiation continues to work after treatment is over.

Thank you for your "ear" and your commonsense, experiential wisdom!

Barbara (caregiver of Richard)

Hi Barbara,

If Richard started chemo June 17 it has been a few weeks already. In my case, I had 3 cycles at 3 week interval before starting chemo-rads. My response was amazing. Within the first week of the first chemo treatment I could feel the node tumor shrinking. The second cycle it was nearly gone and by the third cycle was gone and the final scan said "near or complete response" which means the chemo was very effective.

So, by the time I was fitted with the mask, there were no such issues. don

I am in my final days of same Tx. I only noticed a significant shrinking of the tumor mid 4th week and now it has almost disappeared. In week 2 I had them cut away part of my mask over my throat on the tumor side because the mask tightened. In talking with several "on the floor" staff it is not unusual to swell in the neck throat area. Patience is the key and understanding that no 2 patients are alike.

Obviously you need to bring this to his docs attention. I had no such issues.

Tell the doctor. In additions to what Don Foo said, it can also be weight gain, and swelling if the face aka "moon face" from the decadron, the corticosteroid given with some chemos.