Radiation

[lynzer]

How safe is radiation for bone mets? Does it weaken the bone more?

[PJBinMI]

I have generally heard of radiation being used to alleviate pain in bone mets and it's my impression that it can be really helpful in doing that but I haven't a clue about any other impact it has on the bones. A question for your onc.

[Garnet131 in reply to PJBinMI]

After being hospitalized for a week in October 2017 for pneumonia/shortness of breath, I ultimately received diagnosis of MBC in various places, including hilar nodes in lungs and numerous bone mets. Surgery was mentioned because left femur was possibly on verge of breaking; however, because I had no pain on left side, orthopedic oncologist decided against surgery. Instead I had 5 very brief (seconds long) radiation treatments to femur for 5 consecutive days, which I was told were to strengthen the bone. Then had to use a walker for 6 weeks as a precaution. Ironically, any discomfort in my hip area was (and continues to be) always on the right side, not left (and pretty minor/random). When I went back in December for x-rays/follow-up visit with OO, he said my hips were "solid and sturdy" so I was able to resume tai chi and have since added cardio, pole walking, and with doc's permission, even back to my first love, tap dancing! At the next follow-up visit, I voiced my surprise at how I had been using a walker not long ago and now could be so active. He said it was a combination of the radiation, calcium/vitamin D, Zometa (every 3 months), and weight-bearing activity, which builds bone--not that the mets is gone, but "it's the best it can be."

[tmills64]

I had a complete spinal cord compression with most of vertebrae in the throrasic back collapsed and crumbling, I had 10 rounds of radiation now my vertebrae are hard as stone. I didn't help the pain to much but saved me from my spine collapsing .

[lynzer in reply to tmills64]

Thanks for the reply! So I got a 2nd opinion from a radiologist at Sloan Kettering and he suggested

, kyphoplasty, treatment of vertebral compression fractures

Used for refractory spinal pain due (severe chronic pain) to myeloma bone disease or metastases.

Basically they inject cement in between the vertebra. This website explains it pretty well.

mayfieldclinic.com/PE-Kypho...

I’m considering getting it since there is no active disease in the vertebrae’s, just shrinkage.

Lynn

[Lordmandy]

I’ve had stereotactic radiation to my T 10 spinal vertebrae. Seems to strengthen and reduce pain.