Radiation in stage 3?

I've had a lot of radiation. A lot depends on the dose which they call gray and the number of treatments which they call fractions. What my radiation doc calls low dose is 30 gray in 10 fractions. High dose is 30 gray in 5 fractions. I would be very Leary if they are wanting to do higher doses than that. Those higher doses can really cause more problems than they are worth in my opinion. Also the location of the radiation is important. If the beams have to pass through sensitive things to get to the spot that can be rough.

Also if you can get a dose or two of keytruda in then start radiation while on keytruda there is some anecdotal evidence the two sometimes work better together than by themselves.

As far as side affects the first time was a very queszy stomach. The last time last winter it knocked the stuffins out of me. Was very weak and frail. You have to keep strong by eating good, exercise and rest. But the side affects really depend on location. The radiation tries to tear you down but you have to keep building yourself back up. So far to my knowledge the only long term affect I've had is some minor neuropathy in my leg.

Hope that helps.

Artie

I've had a lot of radiation. A lot depends on the dose which they call gray and the number of treatments which they call fractions. What my radiation doc calls low dose is 30 gray in 10 fractions. High dose is 30 gray in 5 fractions. I would be very Leary if they are wanting to do higher doses than that. Those higher doses can really cause more problems than they are worth in my opinion. Also the location of the radiation is important. If the beams have to pass through sensitive things to get to the spot that can be rough.

Also if you can get a dose or two of keytruda in then start radiation while on keytruda there is some anecdotal evidence the two sometimes work better together than by themselves.

As far as side affects the first time was a very queszy stomach. The last time last winter it knocked the stuffins out of me. Was very weak and frail. You have to keep strong by eating good, exercise and rest. But the side affects really depend on location. The radiation tries to tear you down but you have to keep building yourself back up. So far to my knowledge the only long term affect I've had is some minor neuropathy in my leg.

Hope that helps.

Artie

I've had a lot of radiation. A lot depends on the dose which they call gray and the number of treatments which they call fractions. What my radiation doc calls low dose is 30 gray in 10 fractions. High dose is 30 gray in 5 fractions. I would be very Leary if they are wanting to do higher doses than that. Those higher doses can really cause more problems than they are worth in my opinion. Also the location of the radiation is important. If the beams have to pass through sensitive things to get to the spot that can be rough.

Also if you can get a dose or two of keytruda in then start radiation while on keytruda there is some anecdotal evidence the two sometimes work better together than by themselves.

As far as side affects the first time was a very queszy stomach. The last time last winter it knocked the stuffins out of me. Was very weak and frail. You have to keep strong by eating good, exercise and rest. But the side affects really depend on location. The radiation tries to tear you down but you have to keep building yourself back up. So far to my knowledge the only long term affect I've had is some minor neuropathy in my leg.

Hope that helps.

Artie

First, I just accidently hit the report button instead of the reply button.  I don't think it went through but I will appologize just in case it did.  

I will agree with much of what Artie said.  

My husband started the Opnivo, and after a couple months did the radiation along with.  The theory being the surgery won't get all the little cells floating around in the area and you really don't want to have to operate twice in the same area.  

Supporting this theory, my husband had a large tumor in his lymph node, no primary melanoma site.  When they did the biopsy they were pretty sure it was lymphoma so in they went, took the biopsy, pulled the tool/needle back out and didn't think much of it.  Two weeks later, no not lymphoma it is melanoma.  A month later the surgeon removed the tumor and he also removed the tissue surrounding the puncture site from the biopsy and sure enough there were melanoma cells in there.  As the biopsy tool had been dragged across the healthy tissue, little melanoma cells had been deposited and were taking hold. 

My husband is finishing up localized radiation and it hasn't been too bad.  Fatigue, a bit of nausea here and there, just generally feeling crummy.  But we know why and we know it will get better.

Kathy

First, I just accidently hit the report button instead of the reply button.  I don't think it went through but I will appologize just in case it did.  

I will agree with much of what Artie said.  

My husband started the Opnivo, and after a couple months did the radiation along with.  The theory being the surgery won't get all the little cells floating around in the area and you really don't want to have to operate twice in the same area.  

Supporting this theory, my husband had a large tumor in his lymph node, no primary melanoma site.  When they did the biopsy they were pretty sure it was lymphoma so in they went, took the biopsy, pulled the tool/needle back out and didn't think much of it.  Two weeks later, no not lymphoma it is melanoma.  A month later the surgeon removed the tumor and he also removed the tissue surrounding the puncture site from the biopsy and sure enough there were melanoma cells in there.  As the biopsy tool had been dragged across the healthy tissue, little melanoma cells had been deposited and were taking hold. 

My husband is finishing up localized radiation and it hasn't been too bad.  Fatigue, a bit of nausea here and there, just generally feeling crummy.  But we know why and we know it will get better.

Kathy

First, I just accidently hit the report button instead of the reply button.  I don't think it went through but I will appologize just in case it did.  

I will agree with much of what Artie said.  

My husband started the Opnivo, and after a couple months did the radiation along with.  The theory being the surgery won't get all the little cells floating around in the area and you really don't want to have to operate twice in the same area.  

Supporting this theory, my husband had a large tumor in his lymph node, no primary melanoma site.  When they did the biopsy they were pretty sure it was lymphoma so in they went, took the biopsy, pulled the tool/needle back out and didn't think much of it.  Two weeks later, no not lymphoma it is melanoma.  A month later the surgeon removed the tumor and he also removed the tissue surrounding the puncture site from the biopsy and sure enough there were melanoma cells in there.  As the biopsy tool had been dragged across the healthy tissue, little melanoma cells had been deposited and were taking hold. 

My husband is finishing up localized radiation and it hasn't been too bad.  Fatigue, a bit of nausea here and there, just generally feeling crummy.  But we know why and we know it will get better.

Kathy