SABR for lung and mediastinal nodes, anyone had this done?

[MyMiracle13]

Hello. Has anyone undergone SABR for lung and mediastinal nodules? I remember one lady in this group saying that this was standard procedure in Italy (if I remember correctly.) It has been suggested by my oncologist that I undergo the procedure so I could continue with Ibrance and Faslodex for much longer. He said though that the radiation may cause fibrosis. I already have fibrosis from my previous radiation so I wonder if anyone’s gone through this procedure and what ,if any, were the side effects.

[shumy]

Hi, maybe you remember my mom, but she did vmat radiotherapy (Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy) which is different from sabr. She made it only to the mediastinal lymph nodes, now she's taking ibrance and faslodex and this Friday will have a Pet to see if radiation therapy has worked. We hope so!

The side effects (almost gone after a couple of months) were fatigue (a lot) and difficulty swallowing (she lost weight because she couldn't eat). We hope that no other long-term side effects will occur

I'll let you know if radiotherapy worked ..

[MyMiracle13 in reply to shumy]

Thanks very much for your reply. Much appreciated. So did your mom have the radiation only to the mediastinal lymph nodes? Did she have lung mets as well? Yes please let me know if the radiation worked and I will also ask my oncologist about VMAT.

[shumy in reply to MyMiracle13]

Yes only to mediastinal lymph nodes. She has also some millimetric lung nodules but only one was detected by the pet with low metabolic activity

How many nodules do you have in your lungs? Would radiotherapy be in both lungs and mediastinal lymph nodes?

(sorry for my bad English! :D)

[MyMiracle13 in reply to shumy]

I have many lung nodules but very small as well as 1 mediastinal lymph node and 1 hilar node affected. Oncologist recommended SABR but I read that it could have bad side effects. Thanks for replying to me. I will definitely ask about the VMAT. Maybe it is less strong than the SABR.

[shumy in reply to MyMiracle13]

please let me know

[Barbteeth in reply to MyMiracle13]

SABR is supposed to have less side effects as the radiation is focused very accurately on the tumour and not the surrounding healthy tissue...it’s short fast and powerful so fewer appointments are needed

I had 5 sessions in 10 days so it’s intense but soon over with

Barb xx

[shumy in reply to Barbteeth]

I believe that the difference between vmat and sabr is time and doses, my mom did 28 sessions at smaller doses. I don't know what the choice between the two techniques depends on, since they are accurate in the same way

[Barbteeth in reply to shumy]

The strength of the dose

Barb xx

[Barbteeth]

I have had SABR radiotherapy to my liver...I know that’s not the same but it has worked well so far and shrunk the nodule

However the side effects were unpleasant especially nausea due to it being the liver

I was very tired and it took about 3 months to feel better but maybe side effects are different for lungs...the procedure itself is easy peasy

Barb xx

[MyMiracle13 in reply to Barbteeth]

Thanks Barb. I remember the fatigue and tiredness you went through before Miranda’s wedding. How long did you experience nausea?

[Barbteeth in reply to MyMiracle13]

Hi there

The nausea immediately was horrid and I did throw up twice

However I bought some sea bands and they helped enormously...I wasn’t nauseous all the time but some days I was worse...took maybe 2 months or so...hard to remember now

Nausea is mainly from radiation to the liver and I was informed of this...

Barb xx

[MyMiracle13 in reply to Barbteeth]

Thanks again Barb,. I believe I will go for the SABR but I have to research and ask people about the side effects especially if there are life threatening ones. Ha ha it’s not as if our cancer is not life threatening enough🤣

[Barbteeth in reply to MyMiracle13]

Go for it...even if you feel rubbish for three months (and you may not!) it will pass

B xx

[shumy in reply to Barbteeth]

I agree

[MyMiracle13 in reply to Barbteeth]

Thanks for the encouragement Barb and Shumy😄. I’m seeing my oncologist on the 21st and will ask him more about SABR and VMAT.

[shumy in reply to MyMiracle13]

Hi, the result of the pet has arrived an my mom is NED, complete response to treatment ( and I'm so happy!! ). The only problem is an area of the lung inflamed due to radiotherapy.. Wednesday she has a visit to the oncologist, let's see what she will say

[MyMiracle13 in reply to shumy]

I am so pleased with the results of your mom’s PET. NED wow! You both must be over the moon😄. Thank you so much for the update. It couldn’t come at a better time as I am seeing my oncologist on Thursday and will discuss my treatment with him.

[shumy in reply to MyMiracle13]

Please let me know

[MyMiracle13 in reply to shumy]

Hi. I saw my oncologist last Thursday and he told me that SABR and VMAT are basically the same. However, VMAT is used when the targeted tumors are close to major blood vessels or organs. When the procedure is more delicate, they use VMAT otherwise they will do SABR which uses higher radiation doses but less sessions. He will compare my August PET scan results with the results of the PET scan I will have in January then we will take it from there.

I am very grateful for your sharing with me your mom’s experience. Hope she is doing very well and that her lung inflammation has resolved. Oh yes, my oncologist did say, lung inflammation depending on severity may take up to 2 years to resolve.

Maria

[shumy in reply to MyMiracle13]

Hi Maria,

yes my mom is doing very well, also because she took a month-long break from ibrance. Unfortunately she has to start again next week, even if at the moment is NED. We hope at least in a lower dosage. However now she is fine and has no problems caused by radiotherapy. The onc told her to celebrate, we hope to continue like this

I'm waiting for your news in January!

[MyMiracle13 in reply to shumy]

I am so happy to hear that your mom is doing very well. Yes your family should celebrate! Have a very Happy Christmas🎄

[Elizz in reply to Barbteeth]

I asked my oncologist about the treatment he said ... well it is not effective with liver ?? I am not happy can you give me some information etc I am in wales