“What are the risks with radiotherapy in cancer treatment?”
I was diagnosed with bone cancer recently, and my doctor suggested that we treat it with radiotherapy rather than chemo. We didn't discuss any of the risks that can happen with radiotherapy. Are there any risks that I should be aware of? Should I consider chemotherapy instead?
2 Answers
Treatment for bone cancer is chemotherapy. Radiation treatment can be use in additional to surgery if tumor is left behind.
There are several reasons for the recommendation of radiation therapy to the bone.In most cases, radiation therapy is recommended to bone if the primary cancer has spread to the bone, which is commonly associated with pain. In that scenario, radiation is being rendered palliatively, i.e., with the goal of relieving pain. Radiation therapy has been shown by multiple studies to be very effective in alleviating bone pain in this (the palliative) setting. The side effects of radiation therapy to the bone vary depending on the location (anatomically) of the bone receiving radiation. Generally, radiation can cause some level of fatigue. If the pelvic bone (which harbors bone marrow reserves) is the site of treatment, blood counts can decrease and should therefore be monitored throughout the course of treatment, especially if chemotherapy preceded or is being administered concurrently with radiation.Radiation can also cause bone damage although this is not as common; and again, depends on the site receiving radiation, the pre-radiation status of the bone, prior anti-cancer treatments, and the dose of radiation prescribed. Other side effects of radiation can occur depending on the organs close to the bone being treated. For example, radiation of bones located in the abdomen or the pelvis can cause diarrhea due to bowel in the radiation field. I would advise you to discuss with your radiation oncology team, the specific side effects associated with the bone for which radiation therapy is being recommended.
Regards,
Dr. EB
Regards,
Dr. EB
