Cancer Research UK main site
  • Replies 8 replies
  • Views 740 views
  • Users 0 members are here

Confused.com - looking for advice about radiotherapy

Jono64
Offline

Hi, Newbie here.

Male, 61.

Don't normally use online forums but my head is placed up my backside.

I was diagnosed with a dedifferentiated atypical lipomatous tumour with focal osteosarcoma, basically a lump on my outer chest wall which required the removal of two ribs and associated bits.

This was carried out in October by the wonderful team  in Glasgow.

I attended another specialist hospital, also Glasgow, to discuss any requirement for adjuvant treatment.

They advised that at present the risk of the cancer returning in the same area was 15%, if I have 6 weeks of Radiotherapy then that would reduce to 10%.

The decision to  receive the treatment is mine.

The consultant then gave me an insight into the long and short term after effects of radiotherapy.

I appreciated his honesty but he left me in a quandary.

Is the extra 5% comfort factor worth the possible side effects?

I don't know.

I'm fortunate not to have any family or close friends who have been through it.

But I really don't know what to do.

They gave me a week to decide.

Any feedback appreciated.

Thanks.

Parents
  • Offline

    Hi Jono,  I do not have your cancer and not familiar with it.  I had cancer 12 years ago and had radiotherapy for 20 sessions.  It doesn't hurt and is over quickly only symptom was tiredness. I was diagnosed with cancer again last year.  I just had one blast of radio this time.  I would definitely do everything you can to reduce the risk of reoccurrence  What do your family think?

    Lee.  

  • Offline in reply to leelaloo

    Hi, Lee.

    Thanks for your reply and sorry to hear about your diagnosis again.

    My family and friends are mixed to be honest.

    Some say do it, some say don't and some say "yeah, it's up to you, mate." ( Aye, thanks for your help ) LOL

    It was the long list of side effects, possible/ not possible, that the consultant gave me that meant I was leaning towards not doing it.

    But I change my mind every five minutes, which is why I reached out here to ask people who have experienced it.

    Thanks very much for sharing your thoughts and hope you are well and healthy now.

    John

  • Offline in reply to Jono64

    Hi John,  it's up to you is really helpful :) .  The long list of side effects does not mean you will get any of them.  If you read the side effects of paracetamol it would scare you.  I don't mean to down play cancer , but you will likely not get many side effects and if you do they have medication to counteract them.  Radiotherapy I found was a lot easier than the chemotherapy.  I drove myself there and back to radio every day.  You don't want it to come back.  

    Lee

  • Offline in reply to leelaloo

    Thanks, Lee.

    It was the possible damage to the reconstruction that I had on my chest that threw me most.

    Still  recovering from that and the thought of doing it all again for a 5% improvement are the thoughts that are whizzing around my head.

    Thanks again for your input.

    I really do appreciate it.

Reply
  • Offline in reply to leelaloo

    Thanks, Lee.

    It was the possible damage to the reconstruction that I had on my chest that threw me most.

    Still  recovering from that and the thought of doing it all again for a 5% improvement are the thoughts that are whizzing around my head.

    Thanks again for your input.

    I really do appreciate it.

Children
No Data

Speak to a nurse

Quick links

Follow us

Registered with Fundraising Regulator (logo)
Cancer Research UK is a registered charity in England and Wales (1089464), Scotland (SC041666), the Isle of Man (1103) and Jersey (247). A company limited by guarantee. Registered company in England and Wales (4325234) and the Isle of Man (5713F). Registered address: 2 Redman Place, London, E20 1JQ.