Radiation Treatment

One of the biggest problems Dad has been experiencing is hip pain on the right side, which originated when he slipped (but didn't fall) when walking down stairs. He has an approximately 5x3 cm cancerous lesion in his pelvic bone, which has caused the bone to be compromised and is most certainly the cause for the pain. He has been having an increasingly difficult time walking.

After consultation with Dr. Weber on March 20 during the chemo treatment, Dad consulted with Dr. Wu, a radiation oncologist whom he had met briefly at the hospital during his first inpatient stay; the consultation took place on March 23. She recommended a radiation treatment plan to begin on March 24 consisting of 10 total visits on weekdays, concluding on April 6. This schedule was delayed by one day due to his admission to the hospital. Each visit will last about 30 minutes (most of which is prep time; actual radiation time is only about two minutes per visit).

The goal of the radiation therapy is to stop growth of the lesion in order to reduce the pain and hoprfully allow the bone to heal. He should begin experiencing some relief from the pain by the end of the treatment, but the benefits won't be fully realized for a few weeks after treatment has concluded.

Dr. Wu informed us that Dad's form of cancer, adeno carcinoma, responds well to radiation therapy. However, therapy for all of the lesions in his body is not an option because the dosage would be too much for him to tolerate. Radiation is recommended when there is only a primary tumor (i.e., if the cancer hasn't metastasized) or when there is a significant risk associated with a well-defined lesion. In Dad's case, the risk is fracture of the pelvic bone.

The only side-effect expected is some burning, itching, and dryness of the skin on the hip (front and back) where the radiation beam is to be directed.

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