Palliative radiotherapy

[Hm50]

Does anyone know of you can have more than one treatment of palliative radiotherapy for bone cancer? I had one dose treatment about a year ago but the pain is back now and worse than before

[Thredbo2]

Yes. I had low dose (8 gy ) radiation for bone Mets pain in my left hip in 2018. I have been clear and pain free for 2 years but a new spot is now developing in the area, visible on PET scan and I will have another treatment when it becomes painful.

[debbiedo2063]

Hi thereWhen I was diagnosed I had 3 sessions of radiotherapy on the sacrum which really helped. The letter my oncologist sent to GP I remember reading that she stated she could do radiotherapy again at short notice if needed so I presume you can.

Debra xxx

[Totheriver]

Sorry to hear that but I think you can have radiation again if it is a different spot. I my spine is full of bone Mets and I had pain control radiation on one spot and my husband asked why not all the tumours and the radiologist said they would only do the ones that were giving me pain because otherwise when I did have pain there would be no options. Theresa

[Brooks225]

I am getting radiation now to help pain in L1 &3 - I get it 10 days in a row - low dosage. I understand that it will take 2-3 months to get pain relief. My onc said the same spot cannot be radiated twice. I have a scan in early June and I’m so hopeful there are no surprises. I’m on 125 Ibrance & letrozoleWhich I started in February after my diagnosis. I was so pleased to be at the 4 year cancer free (mastectomy in my left breast) and then the pain started and the cancer was back.

[Hm50 in reply to Brooks225]

Hi thanks for the reply I was the same nearly five years in remission but no back with a vengeance. I’m on Ibrance 100mg and letrozole and it’s now spread to the bones. I had radiation last year and eased the pain after around five weeks but it’s back now and ideally don’t want to be taking oramorph yet even though it’s prescribed. My tumour markers are also rising so just had ct and find out results end of June. Not looking forward to it at all.

[SoulJourney]

Hi sorry you are in pain - enough pain that radiation is the best treatment. Everyone is different but it should make definite improvement. I have mets to my left ribs among sooo many other places. About 2 and a half years ago I was in complete agony taking close to 10 T3's a day. It was suggested I receive palliative radiation to those ribs specifically. I had a single dose the same day as they examined me. I experienced significant improved within 2 weeks, my pain mediation dropped to 2 to 4 T3's a day. This January/February they were flaring up again, same rib. I asked for it to be done right away, I was not going to suffer with that kind of pain if I could help it.

They took a look at my history and said it had been over 2 years, there has been enough separation between treatments and it is better to do it earlier so the tumor doesn't get the chance to sever the bone.

So grateful that my team is so on top of keeping me mobile.

Also I should say that radiation to your spine has completely different side effects than it does to some of the other areas of your body. It helps if they don't "cut through" your organs. The rib radiation only went to 4 inches deep and hardly effected my digestive system.

Best of luck hope you see immediate relief!

Tammie

[Hidden]

Hi, yes you are able to have more. I had radiotherapy on my Pelvis in April and was told if the pain comes back I could have it again. Not within a few months but in a year to 18 months. Hope this helps.Best wishes

[Hm50]

Thankyou I’m hoping when I ask at end of month it’s possible as the pain is awful. Hope you doing well xx

[SeattleMom]

Hello,

Without knowing the extent of your bone mets, I am surprised to read that you received just a single radiation treatment? I was diagnosed almost four years ago with mets to spine and iliac. I received ten rounds of radiation which alleviated my pain tremendously. This was followed by Ibrance/ Letrozole combo.

I’m unsure of your situation, but it sounds to me like you should get a second opinion.

God bless you! 🙏🏻🙏🏻💗💗

Linda

[Hm50 in reply to SeattleMom]

My radiotherapy was palliative so only received one dose. I’ve had another single dose two weeks ago so the pain is easing a bit. I’ve just been told that I have a few more bones affected now but oncologist leaving me on letrozole/ ibrance combination at present. My tumour markers have risen dramatically but she goes off scans more than markers as she says they are not reliable. Hope you well