Radiation

[Bonnie11]

Just wondering if anyone has been offered radiation treatment for stage 1or 2 ovca. It seems to be offered in Canada and Australia for non-serous sub types of ovca. I am hoping to discuss with oncologist on Wednesday as I had a severe reaction to chemo and a rechallenge is being planned soon. ...which I am very nervous about

[Hidden]

Hi Bonnie, I had external radiation for about 6 weeks, just the ordinary machine but now there is a more refined and targeted radiation available. My side effects could be balanced, ie if bowels loosened add white bread and lose the veg and vica versa. You oncologist will give you more information. You can get radiation burn but I didnt get it, you stick with cotton undies and Simple Baby wash with Calomile. But you will be told all this. Best of luck with your consultation and I hope ye work out a plan that is suitable

[Bonnie11 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks for that update very helpful.it seems radiation was the backbone of treatment before the platinum chemo were discovered. It must still have a place ...considering my severe reaction to carbo/ taxol I am surprised it wasn't suggested

[TinaB1]

Hi Bonnie .. It is given occasionally but isn't part of the treatment protocol n the UK. It's likely you'll be offered a different chemo type and perhaps a different regime. It's worth mentioning radiation though I don't think it will get consideration. That's only my experience.

Here's the NICE link for recurrent disease and options available:

pathways.nice.org.uk/pathwa...

Sending hugs and all good wishes. Xxx

[Jinny31]

Hello Bonnie

I would have had brachy radiotherapy if my womb cancer was at a higher stage. I was diagnosed with ovarian cancer at same time and radiotherapy was not offered, just chemo.

I will be interested to hear your oncologists take on this. Good luck x

[Solange]

Hi Bonnie, I have had Radio Therapy on two separate occasions, but each time just a one-off zap. I'm lucky in that I've tolerated two courses of chemo which has subdued the cancer but not knocked it on the head. I have tumours in the chest, abdomen and pelvis and one of the tumours presses on a nerve coming out of my spine which then gives me pain in my ribs, side and stomach. Both times the RT has helped. It was explained to me that there are three sorts of RT and the sort I need is just one very, very precise single dose.

I'm sorry you have had a bad reaction to the chemo. Must be terrifying. I hope your Onco will come up with a different sort that will do the trick.

Wishing you good luck with whatever treatment you do have. I have heard of people having a bad reaction to their chemo but being fine with the same one next time. Usually they have more pre- treatment steroid protection and the chemo is administered more slowly.

Love, Solange. 😊

[thesilent1]

Hi Bonnie, I had the opportunity to talking to the Clinical Oncologist, also the Clinical Director of the Cancer Centre where I am treated. I asked him about radiotherapy. He told me it is not used in the treatnent of Ovarian Cancer as it doesn't help. I told him that a friend with ovarian cancer had recently been given radiotherapy (Una Crudden). Una's daughter was beside me at this stage, he explained that it had been given to her because a tumour was Invading the tube of the permanent drain she had fitted and they were trying to shrink it.

I will be I interested to hear what your oncologist says. Ann x

[Bonnie11 in reply to thesilent1]

I think it will be a while before they make a decision. It seems that I am one of the rare specimens who can't tolerate chemo as my liver goes into overdrive and there is a reluctance to challenge me again as the levels are still abnormal 8 weeks later. I have read good reviews on radiotherapy for the rarer sub groups of epithelial ovca.i.e. endometroid.however it's not common practice in Europe but in my case there may b no choice. I will update the forum when they make a decision. I am conscious also that it's 6 months since cyst rupture😦😦😦😦

[Sunfleury-UK]

Don't have the details but I do know of its use in the UK for specifically clear cell which was early stage (1-2a I think?) OVCA... This was prompted by a study in Canada 2012/13 (?) which showed radiotherapy had some benefits for this specific small group... Sx