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#37972 12-18-2004 07:13 PM
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I will chime in too, Because I have extemely fair skin, I experienced serious (not severe) burns on both sides and the back of my neck. These were open and oozing. The skin didn't break until probaby the last treatment if I remember correctly. It was the two weeks afterward when I needed to apply ointments and burn dressings. I had pictures taken weekly to track the improvement and it took about four weeks to heal completely. Absolutely no scaring. There was no pain until the last couple of days of rad, and with the Fentynal (sp?) patch I was very comfortable. Since I was treated, I understand there are several new lotions, as Gary said, to apply following treatment. This should scare no one because like Chuck (hi, Chuck - I went to school where you were treaated!) my case was the exception. My ENT and Rad Onc still ask me to speak to anxious patients, but they both ask that I NOT show the pictures (grin).

#37973 12-18-2004 08:55 PM
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Larry, as others have mentioned, neck burns is definitely common especiallly when the radiation dose is heavy. When I was in about 4 to 5 weeks of treatment, nothing changed to my skin and I thought I could be that lucky to escape any burn. Then I was totally wrong, it happened all so suddenly that my skin got bruised and became sun-burned to the stage that when others looked at me, they looked scared. There was occasional bleeding around the neck and the most unbearable moment was when the nurse had to bolt the mask around my neck before treatment. It hurt so much that I once begged my doctor to stop my treatment. He didn't support any delay and the last few treatments were a real torture. As I was at that time hospitalized, I had nurses take care of the wound and they washed it and applied dressing on it daily until I was discharged. They didn't put on any cream and just placed a clean 'cloth' on top to cover up the wound. As I was on regular pain killer at that time, I didn't feel much pain. The skin burn took about 3 weeks to heal but now, there are still 'scars' on my left shoulder and anyone can tell easily that the skin was once burnt. Other than that, it didn't cause any pain after it healed and I won't regard this a serious side effect of radiation.

Karen


Karen stage 4B (T3N3M0)tonsil cancer diagnosed in 9/2001.Concurrent chemo-radiation treatment ( XRT x 48 /Cisplatin x 4) ended in 12/01. Have been in remission ever since.
#37974 12-19-2004 03:53 PM
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I have a feeling how badly one sunburns might be a predictor of how one reacts to radiation. I don't get sunburns easily, so rad just produced some dry skin which peeled ala "Goldmember"..

However, rad to tongue got so severe they had to stop treatment for a week to get me re-fed and let the tongue heal enough so I could even drink Ensure (no peg). This was in 6th week of 7 week course of RAD.
Bob


SCC Tongue, stage IV diagnosed Sept, 2002, 1st radical neck dissection left side in Sept, followed by RAD/Chemo. Discovered spread to right side nodes March 2003, second radical neck dissection April, followed by more RAD/Chemo.
#37975 12-21-2004 02:04 PM
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Thanks for everyone's input. like many things, the more we know, the better we do.

today i made another visit to the hospital and our friend is doing much better. the open burns are healing over.. even though treatment is continuing... in fact, two more days and its over! just in time for the holidays.

i must say, i was very suprised to see the dramatic improvement... and wonder if better nutrition (more protein) due to the new peg is a significant factor.

best wishes to everyone,
cu,
larryb

#37976 12-21-2004 03:16 PM
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Good to hear Larry!


Hey Bob, your theory might be correct except for me, I get sunburn when there is a full moon but I had very little external trouble with radiation. (and that was from a pretty old XRT machine)


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.
#37977 12-28-2004 10:51 AM
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Mark,

Are you sure that isn't "moonburn"? laugh


SCC Stage IV, BOT, T2N2bM0
Cisplatin/5FU x 3, 40 days radiation
Diagnosis 07/21/03 tx completed 10/08/03
Post Radiation Lower Motor Neuron Syndrome 3/08.
Cervical Spinal Stenosis 01/11
Cervical Myelitis 09/12
Thoracic Paraplegia 10/12
Dysautonomia 11/12
Hospice care 09/12-01/13.
COPD 01/14
Intermittent CHF 6/15
Feeding tube NPO 03/16
VFI 12/2016
ORN 12/2017
Cardiac Event 06/2018
Bilateral VFI 01/2021
Thoracotomy Bilobectomy 01/2022
Bilateral VFI 05/2022
Total Laryngectomy 01/2023
#37978 12-28-2004 11:11 AM
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Only if my belt is way too loose!


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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