#56997 09-26-2005 01:50 AM | Joined: Aug 2005 Posts: 129 Gold Member (100+ posts) | OP  Gold Member (100+ posts)
Joined: Aug 2005 Posts: 129 | My Mom finished 37 IMRT for her BOT cancer. She has always been a "sun godess" prior to this ordeal. What are the recomendations on sun exosure to the radiated areas?
Thanks
Tami
Tami
Mom has Bot scc stage T1/N1= stage 3 dx 6/27/05 treatment IMRT & chemo (docetaxel, cisplatin, 5FU) ended treatment 8/22/05 Cancer free as of Feb 2006
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#56998 09-26-2005 03:27 AM | Joined: Mar 2003 Posts: 1,384 Likes: 1 Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | | Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)
Joined: Mar 2003 Posts: 1,384 Likes: 1 | The areas that were radiated are and will be more prone to sunburn and from what I have heard a higher potential for skin cancers. The first summer I was very careful and kept the skin covered. Over time, I have been less concerned and less careful. Now after 4 years the area is only mildly more prone to sunburn.
Mark, 21 Year survivor, SCC right tonsil, 3 nodes positive, one with extra-capsular spread. I never asked what stage (would have scared me anyway) Right side tonsillectomy, radical neck dissection right side, maximum radiation to both sides, no chemo, no PEG, age 40 when diagnosed.
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#56999 09-26-2005 04:57 AM | Joined: Sep 2005 Posts: 325 Platinum Member (300+ posts) | | Platinum Member (300+ posts)
Joined: Sep 2005 Posts: 325 | Something else to think about, since the skin in the irradiated area is more sensitive, be very careful what types of creams and perfumes she uses on that area before going out in the sun. Some creams, etc., make even unradiated skin more susceptible to sunburn.
SCC L lat tongue,Dx 9/15/05 T1N0MX L MND and L lateral hemiglossectomy 10/03/05. Recurrence 11/15/06 2nd surgery 12/04/06 hemiglossectomy 3rd surgery 01/15/07 tonsillectomy Radiation 01/25/07 to 03/08/07 3-D/CRT X 30
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#57000 09-26-2005 04:59 AM | Joined: Jan 2004 Posts: 20 Member | | Member
Joined: Jan 2004 Posts: 20 | After 6 years since radiation, I am again a sun worshipper although now in sunny Arizona.... so I do watch my sun worshpping...I can't tolerate too much but it will slowly get back to normal for your mom. It was rough in the beginning since my area is still quite numb (damaged nerves I guess during operation) with very little feeling coming back...cannot feel extreme cold...but the sun should be done in moderation at any time. At first, the sun bothered me and now I love it again. It takes time so tell your Mom to relax and enjoy it little by little... | | |
#57001 09-26-2005 06:05 AM | Joined: Apr 2004 Posts: 837 "Above & Beyond" Member (300+ posts) | | "Above & Beyond" Member (300+ posts)
Joined: Apr 2004 Posts: 837 | I still try to be rather cautious about sun exposure since I have fair skin anyway and have tended toward burning, even before radiation. If I'm going to be outdoors for awhile, I generally use SPF 15 sunblock (or higher) and try to wear a hat with a brim.
Just last month I had to have a small basal cell carcinoma removed from my face -- and it was right in the area that received some of the heaviest radiation treatments, so I imagine there's a connection.
Cathy
Tongue SCC (T2M0N0), poorly differentiated, diagnosed 3/89, partial glossectomy and neck dissection 4/89, radiation from early June to late August 1989
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#57002 09-26-2005 07:14 AM | Joined: Nov 2002 Posts: 3,552 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Nov 2002 Posts: 3,552 | Flubby - I hate to jar you (and I also am a land owner in Marana AZ) but you have received your lifetime dose of radiation exposure. The risk of skin cancer is dramatically increased. Like ORN, it is a lifetime risk.
Gary Allsebrook
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Dx 11/22/02, SCC, 6 x 3 cm Polypoid tumor, rt tonsil, Stage III/IVA, T3N0M0 G1/2
Tx 1/28/03 - 3/19/03, Cisplatin ct x2, IMRT, bilateral, with boost, x35(69.96Gy)
________________________________________________________
"You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes" (James 4:14 NIV)
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#57003 09-26-2005 02:55 PM | Joined: Feb 2005 Posts: 2,019 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Feb 2005 Posts: 2,019 | Really? That's interesting. Then why did my RO seem especially concerend about me keeping out of the sun this year? (not that he had to do much to get me concerned--I was already slathering on SPF 45 sunscreen whenever I went outside at all--like Cathy, I have a fair complexion, adn also a lot of moles, which I understand puts you more at risk of skin cancer, so I am paranoid about it).
He didn't mention the lifetime risk and that that doesn't change over time though now that you've said it, Gary, I can see why it would be exactly like ORN that way. I'm going to ask him more about this next time I see him--he certainly left me with a mistaken impression.
Nelie
SCC(T2N0M0) part.glossectomy & neck dissect 2/9/05 & 2/25/05.33 IMRT(66 Gy),2 Cisplatin ended 06/03/05.Stage I breast cancer treated 2/05-11/05.Surgery to remove esophageal stricture 07/06, still having dilatations to keep esophagus open.Dysphagia. "When you're going through hell, keep going"
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