Radiotherapy to the Brain

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Morning all,

I wonder if anyone could shed some light on how effective Radiotherapy is? My Dad has extensive SCLC, diagnosed end of June 2021. Started on a cycle of 4x chemo with immunotherapy. Cut a long story short, he finished that chemo and continued on immunotherapy and then was admitted to hospital in December with low sodium levels (this has happened previously) but did a brain scan as he was a bit confused and found some changes on the brain to a previous head scan and decided on 5 daily sessions of radiotherapy. He has since then been on CAV chemotherapy and has 2 more cycles of that.

He had his Oncologist appointment yesterday, he was told to eat more and try and exercise to build his muscles up. We are waiting for an appointment for another head scan, providing the head scan looks how it should, treatment can continue and possibly my Dad could take part in trials.

I know everyone reacts to treatment in different ways, but foes Radiotherapy kick butt?

Thanks

Lucie x

Kegsy over 3 years ago

Hi Lucie

Not sure if your Dad has already had the radiotherapy?

To answer your question; yes radiotherapy can kick cancer's butt!.. Do not think that radiotherapy is some sort of side treatment; it is an effective treatment in it's own right. Plus in SCLC treatment, radiotherapy to the brain is generally always used either to treat any spread to the brain or (as in my case) to prevent any spread to the brain. SCLC likes to travel to the brain and chemo is not good at getting through the brain lining.

Hope this helps a bit.

Kegsy x

"If you are going through hell, keep going" ; Sir Winston Churchill

" Cancer may take my life; however it will not become my life" Kegsy August 2011

Essex1 over 3 years ago in reply to Kegsy

Hi Kegsy,

Sorry, yes he had 5 sessions in December, 2 before my wedding and 3 after, just had the weekend inbetween for a break so he could attend my wedding. There was only slight changes to a previous brain scan so I am praying that the radiotherapy has kicked butt! If he hadn’t have gone into hospital with low sodium, the brain scan would not have been done, so that’s a positive in that respect! He’s very weak at the moment but the Oncologist said it would be from the radiotherapy also. Just need to get him to do a bit of leg exercise and eat more, I know it’s easier said than done.

Thanks

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