Palliative radiotherapy

Dear Hem 

Thanks for getting in touch and welcome to our Online Community, I’m Sue one of the cancer information nurse specialists on the Support Line.

I’ve noticed you have also joined the skin cancer forum and I hope you are finding this a safe and supportive space, sharing your experience with others who are going through something similar can be an invaluable form of support.

I’m really sorry to hear that your dad’s SCC skin cancer ( squamous cell carcinoma) has now gone to his lymph nodes and 2 other areas over a short period of time. As you are aware it is unusual for this type of skin cancer to spread so this must understandably be such an emotionally difficult time.

If surgery is not possible for different reasons radiotherapy treatment can often be used to help and although palliative radiotherapy unfortunately cannot cure someone’s cancer, the aim of it is to help with shrinking it, slowing down the growth and controlling possible symptoms.

Your dad’s hospital team will talk to him about his individual treatment plan and answer any specific questions or concerns he may have about having radiotherapy.

 Although there can be potential side effects, the aim of palliative radiotherapy is to make someone feel better and side effects are often minimal and short term, as the doses given are lower. If your dad does struggle with any side effects, once treatment starts, please do report these to his hospital team, so they can support him.

We appreciate you are concerned that your dad will be in pain as time goes on, it’s really important as part of your dad’s cancer care that any symptoms he may develop, including pain, are medically assessed as soon as possible. There are lots of types of pain medications that can be prescribed to help, dependant on the cause and severity.

It's good to hear your dad continues to recover from his surgery and that he doesn’t feel ill. However, there are lots of things that can be offered to make things easier and more manageable at home. If you are concerned about your mum and dad, we would encourage talking to his GP who will be able to assess his needs. This may include some equipment  or the support of other health care professionals.

Supporting a family member with cancer can be difficult to cope with, it can cause all sorts of feelings and affect everyone differently, so it’s really important to also look after yourself.

I hope this information is helpful. If you have any further questions, please get in touch by email, webchat or phone. The Macmillan Support Line offers practical, clinical, financial, and emotional support. You can call us free from landlines and from most mobile phone networks* on 0808 808 00 00, 7 days a week, 8am – 8pm.

Best wishes

Sue

Ref: BG/SMG

Thank you Sue. I really appreciate your response as it’s helped me to understand his treatment some more.