Chemoradiotherapy

Hi Helpet and welcome. I am sure others will be along soon with some answers for you but my husband was not in your situation so I can't add much.

Hi Helpet . I went the chemotherapy route for T3/G3 nearly ten years ago. I too coped well with the Gem/Cis. Radiotherapy for six weeks daily mon-fri. Treatment is painless . Takes about 15 minutes, but usually lots of waiting around. I believe the latest protocol is now 4 weeks with a slightly stronger dose, but with same results. Hardly any effects with the treatment, but a bit tired towards the end. The chemo part comes via a PICC line and chemo pump which I had on weeks 2 and 4 . No problems with this.  After treatment finished I had erratic bowels for several weeks and short bouts of fatigue, but nothing I couldn't manage and it gradually got back to normal. For the first two years I had flexi scopes every 3 months. I was told any recurrences should be caught early and dealt with with either diathermy or TURBT. Thankfully no recurrences so far. Eventually moved to six monthly checks and now on annual flexi and CT scans. The hospital arranged daily transport for me via the volunteer ambulance car service here in the NW. For men, radiotherapy will cause infertility, but not impotency. My oncologist was a great advocate of bladder preservation and says there is no evidence to show one route is more successful than the other for muscle invasive. Happy to answer any questions. Best wishes.

Hi Helpet,Welcome to the board.I hope you find it helpful.Best wishes Jane

Hi, my husband had T2 G3 plus CIS. He was told he had to have a complete response to the initial chemo in order to move onto chemoradiation, fortunately he did. This was 5 years ago. In his case the chemo element was by tablet. The radiation was daily for 5 weeks, about 15 minutes per session. He had no immediate side effects, sometimes we went for a pub lunch after the session!

He has been left with radiation damage which shows as red patches. It doesn't cause him any bother except when he has cystoscopies they often do a follow up TURP to check that it's nothing sinister.The CIS came back in 2021 and he had BCG treatment for that which seems to have worked so far. He is now 75 and happy with his choices, but the constant monitoring is not for everyone.

Good luck with your treatment

Mo

This is really helpful rily as I am due to have the chemoradiation 4 week treatment you mention after TURBT and feeling anxious Thankyou

Hi Marinelife and welcome to the group. I found the treatment fairly easy and you soon get in to the daily routine. I didn't need to wear a gown. Trousers off and lay on the table. Undies down just far enough to cover your bits but enough to expose the pubic area. Maybe different for ladies. You normally have a weekly catch up with a doctor after one of the treatments to see how you are. I usually had a tea and toasted tea cake in the waiting area when waiting. I hope all goes well. Best wishes.

Thanks again Much appreciated Good to hear from people with experience 

Hi Marinelife,Welcome to the group.I hope you find it supportive.Best wishes for your treatment.Jane

Hi Helpet my husband has decided to start this treatment for oesophageal cancer, he will start next week we think. This will be pre op. I have also asked the same question so will keep you posted of any information we have and how well he is coping with it. Would you do the same please. He is 61 and very fit and healthy.

I start my treatment on 11th April. I will keep you updated. Good luck to your husband.