| | Joined: Oct 2011 Posts: 10 Member | OP  Member
Joined: Oct 2011 Posts: 10 | Yes, you are exactly right! My dad did think that radiation would be much "easier" than chemo and he also did not want to sit there for long hours if it only added up to 5-10% to his life expectency. I think that he is now reconsidering all of his options and as a family we will support his ultimate decision fully. My mother and father are both elderly and are appreciative that I have been able to post their questions here and give them input from other people who are or have been sadly in a similar situation. Thank you! | | | | | Joined: Nov 2009 Posts: 493 Platinum Member (300+ posts) | | Platinum Member (300+ posts)
Joined: Nov 2009 Posts: 493 | I actually found the chemo easier than the radiation. I did get sick to my stomach the first time I had it, but they were able to give me anti-nausea meds the next times, and they did help. Neither are any picnic, but I am stiil dealing with the afteraffects of radiation more so than the chemo.
Female, nonsmoker, 70, diag. 5/09 after tongue biopsy: stage IV. Left hemi-gloss. and left selec. neck disec. 30 lymph nodes removed May 20. Over 7 weeks daily rads. with three chemo. PEG removed 12/4/09 Am eating mostly soft foods. Back to work 11/09 Retired 4/1/11. 7 clear scans! Port out 9/11. 2/13. It's back: base of tongue, very invasive
surgery involving lifestyle changes. 2/14: Now speaking w/Passey-Muir valve. Considering a swallow study. Grateful to be alive.
| | | | | Joined: Nov 2011 Posts: 2 Member | | Member
Joined: Nov 2011 Posts: 2 | Is taht necessary to take radiation with Chemo "Boost" it should cover all the part. | | | | | Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 8,311 Senior Patient Advocate Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Senior Patient Advocate Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 8,311 | Maureen,
Moffitt told me that chemo would boost my survival chances up to 30%. Realizing doctors opinions vary but I think 5 - 10% is way to conservative.
David
Age 58 at Dx, HPV16+ SCC, Stage IV BOT+2 nodes, non smoker, casual drinker, exercise nut, Cisplatin x 3 & concurrent IMRT x 35,(70 Gy), no surgery, no Peg, Tx at Moffitt over Aug 06. Jun 07, back to riding my bike 100 miles a wk. Now doing 12 Spin classes and 60 outdoor miles per wk. Nov 13 completed Hilly Century ride for Cancer, 104 miles, 1st Place in my age group. Apr 2014 & 15, Spun for 9 straight hrs to raise $$ for YMCA's Livestrong Program. Certified Spin Instructor Jun 2014.
| | | | | Joined: Nov 2002 Posts: 3,552 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Nov 2002 Posts: 3,552 | Technically it's not a chemo "boost", it is an adjunct to the radiation. My RO explained that the addition of adjunctive chemo, such as Cisplatin, can improve survival odds as much as 13%. It was worth the misery...
It is an alkylating agent that adds oxygen to the tissues which in turn enhances the effects of the radiation.
The term "boost" is more often used when an increased amount of radiation is used. Typical H&N total doses are around 60-66 Gy, with "boost" can be as high as 72Gy, which would add a few more days of RT.
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)
| | | | | Joined: Mar 2008 Posts: 3,082 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Mar 2008 Posts: 3,082 | Since your father is not having surgery, adding chemo to the radiation seems the wisest course. Yeah it is a pain to sit in the chair those hours and the IV insertions don't always go as smoothly as they should but as I've posted before:
In for a nickel, in for a dime.
My doctors did not use the term boost, but rather described it as an alternative attack on the cancer that also enhances the efficacy of the radiation.
I found the radiation had the most negative and permanent effects so since he is having that, go for the chemo.
Keep the Faith
Charm
65 yr Old Frack
Stage IV BOT T3N2M0 HPV 16+
2007:72GY IMRT(40) 8 ERBITUX No PEG
2008:CANCER BACK Salvage Surgery
25GY-CyberKnife(5) 3 Carboplatin
Apaghia /G button
2012: CANCER BACK -left tonsilar fossa
40GY-CyberKnife(5) 3 Carboplatin
Passed away 4-29-13
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