Nerve Damage caused by radiotherapy?

I would be grateful if any advise in relation to treatment that could be given to my father in relation to the following facts:
Diagnosis - small cell esophagal cancer

Treatment received - combination of chemotherapy [V.P.16 and Cisplatin] and radiation [22 external treatments to front of chest and 22 external treatments to rere , and 2 internal treatments(radio active pellets).

Duration of treatment- approximately 3 months

Results - cancer said to be in remission, but medical nerve damage, resulting in problems with balance, difficulty in walking, numbness from pectoral region down to navel front particularly, and to a lessor extent in the rere.  The right leg is more afected that the left.
The symptons of nerve damage appeared about 3 weeks after cessation of medical treatment.
Physiotherapy was received approximately two months after the symptons first appeared, and had 2 months of physio.

Now not receiving any treatment although he is awaiting the E.E.G.results

Kindly advise whether they is any treatment or medication which might be of assistance.

[CCF MD GS]

Sorry to hear about your fathers medial problems. It sounds from your letter like he has been diagnosed with radiation induced myelitis ie radiation affecting the spinal cord. An MRI scan can often visualize an abnormality in the cord and I'm not sure if that has been done. You mentioned waiting for an EEG but I wonder if you ment an EMG to look for evidence of nerve damage. Decadron has been used to help with spinal cord inflammation in some cases with variable results and you should ask his doctors about this. Unfortunately radiation induced injury can be very serious and may not resolve out. We wish you the best of luck

[Judy P.]

could you please tell me what these tests results could mean? I have been having problems for years, but in this last year it has really gotton much worse.

loss of signal to all intervertable dics
nerve root dysfunction at C5, C7, L4 and L5
somasensory evoked potential of the posterior nerve, abmormally prolonged could be central, peripheral or both
lower left extremity superficial poreneal sensory potential is absent and the left motor aqmplitude is reduced
lateral femoral cutaneous neuropathy
left midian latency also prolonged Left worse than right
motor fiber involement on the left and a possible early axon loss sensorimotor peripheral neuropathy verses a mononeuropathy
anterial temporal lobe-a possible vasular or cryptic malformation suscpect-flow void

I also have a herniated dics, arthritis and some other medical problems. I have been seeing neuros since 92. One neuro told me I had slowing on the left side and it could possibly be MS. Another doctor said it could be a demyelinating process. Could you please explain to me, from the test results, just what this means.

Thank you for your time.  Judy P.

[Judy P Continued]

I also have sharp stabbing pains and aching, numbness tingling, burning on my whole left side, but the first numbness I experienced was in my right thigh. It is still numb and hurts when it is touched. It also itches. Most of this is on the left side of my body, foot, calf, thigh, whole arm and side of body, but since sept. I have had twitches, spasms, and a vibrating feeling.Some on my right, but the left side is worse. I have also had stabbing pain in my face and twitches with numbness.

I am on neorontin, 300 mg three times a day, 4 mg xanax and flexoril., But it doesn't seem to help much. I take 12 different meds for other medical problems. Any thoughts and interpretations of what might be the dxs? Thanj you again

Judy P.

[CCF MD GS]

These are not comments they are new questions and should be posted as such. We have stated many times that questions put in the comment section to an unrelated question will not be answered. You will need to resubmit a question if that is what you have.

[K.]

Several months ago I had arthroscopic shoulder surgery done with a heat wand/probe to stablize a multidirectionally unstable shoulder ( the instability resulted from an accident).  During the surgery, the heat wand/probe caused "severe axillary neuropathy" as determined approximately 6 weeks post-op by an EMG?  My surgeon told me that the axons of my axillary nerve were damaged during the surgery by the heat.  Now, three months after surgery, I have very limited movement of my arm to the side and backwards.  I have numbness over the lateral portion of my arm from the shoulder to the elbow, and around the numb area I have hypersensitivity, (the pain is extremely severe). What is the prognosis for recovery from this type of injury?  My orthopaedic surgeon told me that, hopefully, the axillary nerve will regenerate in 6-7 months, and if not, I will need surgery.  

What type of surgery for this condition is recommended, and would I need a neurosurgeon?  

What treatment options are available in the meantime?  Currently, I in physical therapy and I an taking many medications for this condition?

I have heard that a low-energy or cold laser has recently been approved by the FDA, and several American doctors are using these lasers to promote nerve regeneration in trauma victims.  Do you know anything about such lasers and what is the proper name for them, further, are treatments with such lasers an option for me?  Thanks for your help.

[Aforum-goer]

Past experience teaches us all that "posting" a new question is like "pulling" teeth.  Forums are merely arenas where the mixture of Q's and A's give it LIFE after Comment.  The good doctor must not understand the basic wants and needs associated with  patient participation.  Inquiring minds want to know.  Sorry that you chose a profession classified as "in demand". - A Forum-goer/participator