#81469 10-02-2008 11:51 PM | Joined: Sep 2008 Posts: 10 Member | OP  Member
Joined: Sep 2008 Posts: 10 | Hello everyone,
I am about to start my radiation treatment. I have come across brachytherapy. Has anybody out there gone through it?
Is it suitable and effective for SCC?
Thanks.
SCC on the tongue. Stage II. Total Glossectomy 04/07/08. Recurrence in July. Also Stage II. Partial Mandibulectomy 08/13/08. Radical neck dissection in both ops. All lymph nodes negative. Radiation starts 10/10/08
| | | | | 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 | Yes and no. Brachytherapy (BT) places radiation directly at the cancer site and therefore delivers it's killing power directly to the source while minimizing damage to other cells. I have read other posters, Jim for one, that had it placed in his tongue so he can talk more about that. The main problem with Oral Cancer is that they may or may not know where the Primary is and they may or may not know about nodal involvement but they don't know where else it may already have spread to so they pretty much will concentrate on the known areas but also they will deliver radiation throughout the oral cavity and neck area to give us the best chance of not having a recurrence.
You have already had a recurrence so you need to get nuked IMHO.
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 $$ for YMCA's Livestrong Program. Certified Spin Instructor Jun 2014.
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2008 Posts: 10 Member | | OP Member
Joined: Sep 2008 Posts: 10 | David,
Thanks for the explanation. You mentioned the nuked IMHO. What is that?
Sharifah
SCC on the tongue. Stage II. Total Glossectomy 04/07/08. Recurrence in July. Also Stage II. Partial Mandibulectomy 08/13/08. Radical neck dissection in both ops. All lymph nodes negative. Radiation starts 10/10/08
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 8,311 Senior Patient Advocate Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Senior Patient Advocate Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 8,311 | That's what I call being radiated cause that's what I felt like. Just a little off color humor.
David
Age 58 at Dx, HPV16+ SCC, Stage IV BOT+2 nodes, non smoker, casual drinker, exercise nut, Cisplatin x 3 & concurrent IMRT x 35,(70 Gy), no surgery, no Peg, Tx at Moffitt over Aug 06. Jun 07, back to riding my bike 100 miles a wk. Now doing 12 Spin classes and 60 outdoor miles per wk. Nov 13 completed Hilly Century ride for Cancer, 104 miles, 1st Place in my age group. Apr 2014 & 15, Spun for 9 straight hrs to raise $$ for YMCA's Livestrong Program. Certified Spin Instructor Jun 2014.
| | | | | Joined: Jul 2007 Posts: 939 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | | "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts)
Joined: Jul 2007 Posts: 939 | Nuked = radiation
IMHO = acronym for "In My Honest Opinion"
Deb..caregiver to husband, age 63 at diagnosis, former smoker who quit in 1997.
DIAGNOSIS: 6/26/07 SCC right tonsil/BOT T4N0M0
TREATMENT START: 8/9/07 cisplatin/taxol X 7..IMRT twice daily X 31.5.
TREATMENT END: 10/1/07
PEG OUT: 1/08
PORT OUT: 4/09
FOLLOWUP: Now only annual exams. ALL CLEAR!
Passed away 1/7/17 RIP Bill
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2008 Posts: 10 Member | | OP Member
Joined: Sep 2008 Posts: 10 | Sorry, I am quite new to the cyberlanguage.. at the same time I am also quite worried about getting myself nuked (ha ha) in a few days time.
I wonder if I am going to need to use a PEG later. At present, I am on liquid diet orally.
Thanx again.
Sharifah
SCC on the tongue. Stage II. Total Glossectomy 04/07/08. Recurrence in July. Also Stage II. Partial Mandibulectomy 08/13/08. Radical neck dissection in both ops. All lymph nodes negative. Radiation starts 10/10/08
| | | | | Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 2,219 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 2,219 | Sharifah,
If you use the search engine at the top right above and search for brachytherapy, you will find posts from Donnarose. Her mother had BT done at the University of Pennsylvania. You can also email Donna. Her email address is in her profile.
Jerry
Jerry
Retired Dentist, 59 years old at diagnosis. SCC of the left lateral border of the tongue (Stage I). Partial glossectomy and 30 nodes removed, 4/6/05. Nodes all clear. No chemo no radiation 18 year survivor.
"Whatever doesn't kill me, makes me stronger"
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