Radiotherapy for lung....but what about the mets?? - Cancer: Lung Message Board

ellengrace · 11-21-2006, 06:06 PM

Hi, everyone.

Under a different thread, I posted about my seeking a second opinion because of my being classed as unsuitable for chemo. Oncologist#2 reaffirmed
chemo was not a safe option, but offered daily radiation over the course of two weeks.

The treatment is for the mass on the upper lobe of the left lung, to shrink it or stop further growth as it has reached, but not yet breached, the chest wall. The onc said I would have less back pain and breathlessness, now and in the future. I have nscls 4, with metastases.

My question is....what happens with the mets? They'll just carry on growing, but I don't know at what pace. The nsclc is supposed to be slow-growing, but does that apply to the mets as well.?

Once radiated, will the main tumour stop throwing out further mets?

On diagnosis (two months ago) I was told I could expect three to six months for this disease to run it's course. I understand severe fatigue accompanies radiotherapy, often lasting for many weeks after treatment ends, so there's the question of quality of life. My energy levels are not good now, but manageable. I'm wondering if it would benefit me to delay the start of treatment?

These look like stupid questions, but are playing on my mind. I'm due at the hospital on Thursday...I imagine it will be a planning and prep day... and then of course I'll have the opportunity to ask questions, but I would be grateful for advice based on "real-life" experience before speaking to the radiologist.

You are all in my prayers.

mabegb · 11-21-2006, 06:45 PM

ellen , i hope i can help answer some questions for you. tha side effects from 2 weeks of radiation to the chest wont be too bad. i had 3 weeks to my chest over the summer. i had minimal redness or burning. a small amount of discomfort in swallowing. i could still eat just needed to take small bites and chew well. and the fatigue wasn't bad. not near as bad when i did 6 weeks of radiation. it did help shrink the tumor . it also made breathing easier again and the pain subsided. i would say this is a good thing for you to do (of course im not a doctor or an expert.
as far as the mets. from what i understand it is the same cancer as the original. mine started in the salivary gland and has metastisized to my lungs. so they treat it the same way the treated it in the face. it reacts the same. i dont know if they ever stop the mets from appearing some where else. but in know if you find it early you have the chance for treatment.
i know this all get so confusing at times. even though i have cancer in the lungs it is not lung cancer ( in the traditional sense) so mine is treated different from yours. with mine there is no cure so all treatment is palliative.
and traditionally chemo doesn't work on it. i am getting ready to start chemo for the first. so we will see. since i already had the radiation i cant have it again.
i dont know if i helped at all but i certainly will be praying for you ellen. good luck and best wishes. melissa

ellengrace · 11-21-2006, 08:10 PM

Melissa: thank you for your reply, which has helped....side-effects are so hard to predict because people's reactions may be different. You say your fatigue wasn't too bad, yet Jeaniek shared that her father was reduced to sleeping 60-80% of his time. I hope I receive more responses, to give me a wider view.

The oncologist hasn't mentioned treating the mets.

I'm so glad your radiotherapy was successful in shrinking the tumour, and in giving you some ease. Good luck with the chemo, you and your family are in my prayers. There are not so many cancer patients in the forum, and so I always look out for your posts. Thank you again,

ellengrace

Kimslos · 11-21-2006, 11:06 PM

Hi Ellengrace,
I just wanted to say hi and let you know I am praying for you. I don't have much to offer on radiation since my husband has opted not to have it on his brain since it is Whole Brain Radiation. I hope all goes smooth with you and you don't get too fatigued. I did have a friend that had radiation for breast cancer and she was fatigued, but still working, but did not have cancer elsewhere. I do think everyone is different as to how they respond too.
Take care of yourself and hope you get more feedback.
Kim

angelmama39 · 11-22-2006, 05:29 PM

My mom had radiation in her head 14 times (3 weeks) and it didn't effect her at all. Radiation was easy for her. I don't know how they compare it to lung and chest radiation however.

My mother will be starting a new radiation therapy for her lung cancer. it is new, and a high intensity targeted radiation therapy machine. This will hit the tumor as a CT scan will be present, and help the surgeons. Is this something you can ask your oncologist about? It is called the tomoradiation therapy machine. It is coming to centers all over.... [url]www.tomotherapy.net[/url]