My husband had his 20th treatment of radiation today. For the last few days he has been spitting up blood. Has anyone else had this happen? He told the nurse today she said he has scabs on his throat, maybe this could be causing him to spit up the blood. Is this normal? I know everyone is different, would just help to know if anyone else has had this happen.
Thanks,
Cheryl

Hi Cheryl,

I too split up blood...it was toward the end of radiation though. They were not very concerned and in my case it wasn't a lot.

You are right everyone is different and has different reactions, but since he is there every day I would ask the doctor. I saw my rad doctor weekly during treatment. If your weekly visit is too far off, call him or ask to see him off schedule.

I've found that the nurses know so much and are so good, but (and you knew the but was coming) they just don't know as much as the doctor. I had a couple of things the nurse blew off and the doctor responded to. Let him look and confirm the scabs which are probably common (I 'm sure others will jump in if they've had them), but all symptons should be mentioned to him.

Above all piece of mind is very important right now. We all have enough to think about, you don't need more to worry about.

Take care,
Dinah

Hi Cheryl, I spat a lot of blood during and after radiation treatment. The oncologist said it was normal because the tissue near the throat area was badly damaged. The amount of blood was reduced gradually and lasted for about three months post treatment. Then occasionally there was blood in the mucus especially durintg dry weather. There were a couple of times ( several months post treatment)my oncologist was concerned and arranged chest X-ray for me to ensure that my lung was not infected. I think the doctor can give you advice.

Karen stage 4 tonsil cancer diagnosed in 9/01.

Karen's post could have been mine. My experiences were exactly the same. Your throat is raw from the radiation and openly bleeds, spitting out blood would not be out of the question. I am making the asumption here that when you say spitting up blood, you DO NOT mean throwing up blood as in vomiting. That is another issue altogether.

I spit up blood also towards the end of radiation. On the second day after radiation was finished I spit up blood and particles that looked like little chunks of liver. Only happened the one time. Occasionally, I still have some blood traces when I clear my throat - I'm 20 days out now. I can only imagine how raw everything is down there.

Thanks everyone for the info. I slept a little better last night after reading your posts. My husband went to doc today and the doc said the spitting up was normal everything looked ok. Thanks again!!!
Cheryl

Cheryl,

So glad everything checked out okay, a big yeah from Texas. That sleeping a bit better at night is an important thing. Come back and keep us posted on your husband's progress.

Take care,
Dinah