Has anyone had SBRT to spine?

[Jac-genova]

My mom has 2 tumors - t2 and l4 regions of her spine. She is considering SBRT but we are concerned about the possible side effects.

[kearnan]

I am sorry. I have not had any type of radiation at all. They found in January holes in my spine T14 and some other alphabet and number. My onco suggested to me that Radiology Dept. would call me and they were thinking of doing targeted radiation therapy to my spine. FIVE DAYS A WEEK FOR FIVE WEEKS! She said the longest visit would be the first one bc they would need to some some kind of cement like imprint of my spine so that when I went every day they could target the exact spot.

I said No. I was then giving 120 percocets a month and taking four per day and they were working fine. I said I am NOT spending spring at this cancer center and now just because the worst of the pandemic is over in NY (at the time), I know that the Cancer Center lost alot of money and I am doing fine with the pain medication and no reason for me to get the radiation so don't even have them call me because the answer is NO. She just said okay, I will tell them you are not interested (Seriously, that easy). I just felt they lost so much money during pandemic they were looking to bill Medicare/Medicaid.

But quite frankly whatever drug/treatment we are put on, there are always going to be side effects. And different women have all different effects from the drugs. We are all in different stages of health, age, are on other medications, that you really cannot go by someone else's experience. Ibrance is a perfect example. Many women on here are doing great on it, I had a horrible time on my week off while others felt the same on their week off and others even felt better on their week off. I felt like death.

So going by some one else's experience does not mean your mother may have the same type of reaction and even the doctors cannot tell you in advance what side effects your Mom may or may not have.

Keep your hope up and see how it goes. If it is too rough on your Mom, you can tell them to stop and then again, your Mom may find it is not too hard for her. Either way, I wish both of you the best. Sorry, this the best I could offer.

[Jac-genova in reply to kearnan]

Thank you, praying for you

[AvidBooklover]

SBRT will be very targeted and typically done in a very short time frame. They always tell you every possible side effect. Before your mom makes a decision, have a consult with a radiation specialist.

[Hidden]

Good morning! I’ve had radiation to my spine 3 different times! I had tumors pressing on my spine in the thoracic and lumbar region. It helped save my mobility before the meds started working. I’ve never had chemo but I’m guessing radiation is a lot easier with less side effects! It’s not a decision to take lightly but for me after getting a second opinion I knew it was the right decision for me. My scans show scarring in my lungs from radiation but I’m still able to workout everyday so I don’t notice it. Other than that I had fatigue but that goes away.

Hope that helps!

Mandy

[morty87]

I have had it done and I received good results. I had targeted therapy on my hip. I think I had 12 treatments. My hip felt like I had been hit with a softball. It was sore but not unbearable. Good luck in your decision.

[Tantalon7211 in reply to morty87]

Yes I had the same stereotactic radiation 5 times for a week- in my upper pelvis - like you felt like I had been hit with a softball was painful - but In time it subsided as well as fatigue - I think it’s a very good targeted treatment if you’re offered it - I will have another scan in few months -

[mariootsi]

I had radiation during my initial dx back in 2013. It was everyday for 6 weeks. It made me very fatigued and scarred my right lung. It took a while to get over the fatigue. As I recall it took about 6 months.

[hopefulinadks]

I had radiostatic body radiation to my hip, L-5 lower lumbar spine and C-6 cervical neck. Each area had an initial set up and then 5 treatments. It took 3 weeks at 2 treatments a week. It was painless and easy and fast. The only side effect I had was a sore throat for about a week after radiosurgery to my neck. From what I understand, radiosurgery to the cervical spine can cause a sore throat, radiation to the thoracic spine can cause nausea and/ or a sore throat and radiation to the lumbar region can cause nausea. The treatment was very easy and it worked in eliminating the lesions in those areas.

[Jac-genova in reply to hopefulinadks]

Thank you - do you know if the form of SBRT was cyberknife?

[hopefulinadks in reply to Jac-genova]

Honestly, I am not sure but I really do not think so. I go to Dr Gil Lederman in NYC. He has a website - Radiosurgery of NY. Maybe the information is there.

[Red71]

I’ve had it twice. The first time was 10 treatments over 2 weeks. It was well worth it. I went from intractable pain and having trouble walking more than from the parking lot into the doctors office to walking with no pain. If you are doing the radiation to reduce pain, it is well worth it. If she is doing it to decrease the lesions, I would ask if they are growing or are expected to and are they expecting pain to result from those lesions.

Elaine