Kaiser won't pay for 5 separate opinions. You may get them to pay for one however and I would ask for a consult with City of Hope CCC since you are in LA. (I assumed you were in LA)

Clinical trials have conducted on re-irradiating previously radiated patients and have found the side effects to be tolerable. The cobalt does add a twist to it since the recent clinicals involved ionizing radiation.

Hodgkins is typically treated by a light dose of whole body radiation. The down side of it was as the source weakened they had to increase the exposure time which could cause skin damage due to the "dark radiation" aspect of it. Only third world countries still use cobalt today.

The decision has to be about risk & benefit. The RO (and/or even the MO) is the best qualified to help you with the decision.

Last edited by Gary; 04-08-2008 02:26 AM.
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)
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"You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes" (James 4:14 NIV)