fightingcancer
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My husband has stage 4 adenocarcinoma. A tumor very close to the aorta. They say they cannot tell if it has gone into the aorta. Some pleura involvement, I believe two nodular. He also has pleura thickening. His voice has been effected too so it is pressing or a nerve or vocal cord. He had Hodgkins 20 years ago and had radiation then. My question is what is the danger of radiation so close to the aorta. Can or should it be done with it being so close.
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Reply # - March 15, 2013, 11:12 PM
Reply To: Radiation or Not???
I'm sorry to hear about your husband's diagnosis.
Radiation is definitely feasible for treating a tumor adjacent to the aorta, but the prior radiation to that area makes it more of a question. A radiation oncologist would probably need to see exactly where the cancer is and consider the prior radiation he received (dose and location, if records are available) to address the safety and feasibility of radiation to the tumor. So a radiation oncologist will need to review the current scans and consider what he received before, then offer some insights.
Good luck.
-Dr. West
Reply # - March 16, 2013, 05:32 AM
Reply To: Radiation or Not???
Thank you Dr West for addressing my question. The onc has looked at his old records, and says it can be done. My concern is, if the tumor has invaded the aorta.....which no one knows......then how dangerous would radiation be. I've heard that if it has as the tumor dies it could leave a hole in the aorta? This sounds way to scary to me. Sorry my first question was not as clear as it should have been, I'm quite stressed. Also can the radiation help the nodes in the pleura? Thank you
Reply # - March 16, 2013, 10:23 AM
Reply To: Radiation or Not???
This is a situation for which there's just no answer. I have a patient of my own in this situation right now, but honestly, you need to look at the alternative of having the cancer continue to grow into/through the aorta. If there is certainty that non-treatment will be fatal, uncertainty about whether treatment will be beneficial is likely to be far more preferable.
-Dr. West