sabr radiotherapy treatment

Hi Salgo  everyone’s treatment plan is unique, as not 2 cancers are the same. Radiotherapy can be a first line treatment, and I have seen many people with good results from radiotherapy alone. SABR is often used for bone mets, and small tumours in the lung, but if the tumour in the lung is large then the standard radiotherapy may be a better option.

Have you been offered a different type of treatment and feel that SABR would be better for you ? 

Hi Salgo

Chelle is right, radiotherapy is a first line treatment in its own right.  It can be highly effective, and is widely used across the NHS.

SABR radiotherapy is a more targeted type of radiotherapy. so is 'kinder' in term of less damage to surrounding healthy tissue.

Good luck with your treatment and I wish you the best possible outcomes.

Kegsy x

Thanks for replying.  My hospital does do sabr but all they will offer me is conventional radiotherapy for scapula metastasis followed by standard chemo/immunotherapy.  No further radiotherapy.  The oncologist keeps referring back to the NICE guidelines. Also asked for 2nd opinion with Papworth/Addenbrooks and they said the same that not given as first line treatment for stage 4. I have booked a private consultation to see if could be an option but haven't a clue how much it would cost as haven't got a lot of savings. Like everyone just want to cover all options and get best treatment I can. Up until this, I am 69 yrs old, not on any medication,  very active, still working, had symptoms when diagnosed, went to Dr with shoulder pain thinking a rotator cuff injury so getting my head around this.

Once you have radiotherapy in one area, you cannot have it again, as it causes to much damage to healthy tissue.  In all honesty, with grade 4 lung cancer and bone mets, I would expect to see the treatment plan they have offered you. SABR radiotherapy is not offered to everyone who needs radiotherapy as it really does depend on where the cancer is and how big. 

Private care is expensive, and we are talking thousands rather than hundreds. And don't be surprised if you see the same oncologist in the private clinic that you will see in the NHS. That happened to my daughter who needed her tonsils removing, but the wait was too long on the NHS, so I paid for a private consultation in a private hospital, and it was the same consultant.! 

Our NHS is under extreme pressure, but the doctors do want the very best for their patients, and your treatment plan is not just decided by one oncologist. Your “case” is discussed in a MDT meeting where there are several medical professionals who look at each individual person, and a the best treatment plan is discussed and decided upon. 

It’s scary I know, and yes you are right to be your own advocate and try and get the best treatment for your cancer, but they are the experts, we are not, and you really need to try and trust that they are doing this with your best interest at heart. 

Hello Chellisimo, thank you for all your replies. I am getting further with this. Just want to make sure know all options before making any decisions.  Since last message have found out that although Sabr is offered at my local hospital,  it is relatively new and has been used for tumours but they don't or haven't used it for bone metastasis so could be the reason not offered. It's a question I need to ask. Was told by oncologist one or two sessions of convential radiotherapy for palliative care but asked radiologistd when went to be marked that the plan was to offer 10 sessions high dose. Hadn't been told about this change of plan and would like to know why this change. Have got private consultation tomorrow so will see what they say before speaking to my oncologist clinician. Having that amount of high dose radiotherapy could be very restrictive for any future radiotherapy if needed and a clinical trial I am looking into. So difficult,  definitely don't want to delay treatment but just want and need to know it's the right and only option. I haven't any big masses just 3 cancerous nodules between 80mm and 2.2 cms along with bone metastasis at 3cms and lymph nodes 1.4 cms so not like a huge mass. I just don't know. This cancer journey is also a learning journey.  Can see everyone's cancer is unique to them and so many different treatments.  Very confusing at times. Must admit am finding more questions than answers and if I had one wish apart from not having cancer it would be that I had more trust in my hospital

Thank you. Think there is a good possibility that haven't been offered Sabr because sabr is relatively new at my local hospital and no experience on using it for bone mets only small lung tumours.  Need to find out and if that's the reason see if can be referred to somewhere who will do it if considered the better option. Trouble is all takes time.

Hi Salgo,

Take a look at my story, I too am very active I’m now 63 & lived on a 70’ Narrowboat which I single handed & continually cruised throughout the year.

My story will tell you of my cancer journey so far my treatments too, 18 months post diagnosis & im relatively well walk my dog 2-5 miles a day, I also did the 10k shine night walk around Manchester earlier in the month.

Wishing you all the very best in your journey & the treatment path you choose to take.

Hello WillowWizz

I have just read your story. Wow wow, you have certainly been on a journey. I am only at the start.ike you no symptoms but initially going through treatment stages for possible rotator cuff injuries.  So inspiring to hear your positive attitude. I am just so frustrated at how slow everything is taking, 3months to actually see an oncologist.  I do think it helps and you are very fortunate in finding a good oncologist team and also a NHS team who are happy to work with private health. I have met my oncologist once and a telephone call today which did not go well. I had a private consultation who was suggesting an alternative treatment plan which involved Sabr radiotherapy on bone metastasis, 2 other small nodules and a lymph node plus radical radiotherapy on primary tumour.  All small tumours under 3 cms. He advised having chemo/ immunotherapy first and to go back to him for the radiotherapy as NHS don't offer that for my stage 4 cancer. I finally managed to speak to NHS oncologist today, 10days after trying to contact her to ask if I could start my chemo, when it would likely be, how often etc. Whether it was because I had seen a private consultant,  I don't know, but after confirming the type of chem was the same as private Dr had suggested. Oncology nurses had sent me wrong leaflet which had led to confusion. To be honest, I have been given confusing information and being told different things throughout.  For example,  nhs oncologist plan was for 1 or 2 sessions pallative radiotherapy at higher dose on shoulder but found out from radiologist my plan was for 10 sessions higher dose but no reason why. Today I was hoping that I would be able to have some information about starting chemo treatment, yet ended up somehow with oncologist telling me she would not tolerate abuse. I didn't shout but did raise my voice in frustration, anger and desperation in trying to get some answers and apparently I  was also abusing the NHS. She said she would put me on the system but still have no clearer idea of what's going on. She said that's out of her control.  I really don't understand,  still confused as thought she would have some idea and all I want is to start having treatment. Sorry for long rant. Your story and all you have been through and the fact you are relatively well is giving me hope.