Hi:

I had Brachytherapy done at Beth Israel Hospital in NYC by Dr. Louis Harrison. I have been told he is one of the best in the country.

Brachytherapy is a form of radiation where tiny rods are placed at the site and radioactive material is placed into those rods for a few days and left there, or it can also be done as a daily outpatient treatment for some. I was inpatient.

I was a third time re-occurrance and was stage IV.

My cancer was to my tongue and base of tongue. Had surgery, radiation to left neck (it was actually re-irradiation since I had the right neck done 2 years ago).

I then had brachytherapy to my tongue and base.

Maybe you could first call Beth Israel and get that that department to see if brachytherapy is done to lymph nodes. If so,I would advise to have Dr.Harrison review your records to see if you would be a candidate.

If you are a candidate for brachytherapy, I will be as helpful as I can with my experience, should you have any questions.
It was not anywhere near as bad as I thought it might be.

I've read articles now where this is becoming another treatment option for breast cancer and prostate patients and is on the rise.

Believe it or not, brachy was invented in the early 1900's and is now becoming more popular again as another treatment option.

Best to you! Sending positive thoughts!

Cindy

'08 SCC Rt tongue,part glossect.
'09 Rt neck dissect, 3 Cisplatin, 35 rad.
Aug '11 Rt tongue,hemiglosstmy, Lt neck dissect, forearm flap, 8 Erbitux,30 rad, brachy tongue.
Oct '12 SCC prev stoma site. SCC inside trachea.
Nov '12 total larengectomy, addl neck disect, pec flap
Oct '15 Myelodysplastic Syndrome (form of leukemia)

Dec 8, 2015 passed away peacefully at home surrounded by loved ones
How Cindy wants to be remembered..."I want people to realize I am no longer trapped in this body prison, and I will be free and whole. I want to be remembered by all the good and loving times spent together, not in sadness."