Radiation damage

  I am a 29 year old female with a history of cervical cancer that resulted in a radical hysterectomy, radiation to the pelvic area combined with three (1) week treatments of 5-FU and Cistplatin. After all my treatments were finished. I started having bladder problems (spasdic bladder) it was ruled out that I had radiation cystitis of interstitial cystitis. Acouple of months went by and I started having numbness down my right leg. I saw my radiation oncologist and she didn't have a clue. She said we would follow up in a few months. After these few months I was having a hard time walking, so I asked her if we shouldn't look into this more, my concern was of reoccurence of the cancer. She said it was to earily and left it at that, as I was leaving she said she would follow up with my family practioner, but this never happened. Finally I got Debbie my doctor to order a MRI the results were radiation damage to L-4, L-5, S-1' S-2, and S-3. Then I was sent a neurologist he put me on high doses fo steriods and I gained alot of weight as a result and I really didn't see any difference in the way things were going with my legs. He also did a MRI and the results were the same. I have yet to have someone say they really know what is going to happen to me or if there is a chance I may get better. It has been a year since all of this started and I am losing hope. I graduated right after my last chemo treatment from college with my degree in Respiratory therapy and now I am unable to work because of the extreme weakness in my legs. I guess my guestion is have you seen this without cancer involvement and if so what kind of tretment have you suggested to your patient? Thank you for your time.  
  
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Dear Sherry,
The condition you speak of is called radiation necrosis.  It occurrs after
radiation therapy in a small percentage of patients, depending on the particular
circumstances.  An MRI will show changes that are consistent with radiation
necrosis. Unfortunately there are no specific therapies to directly treat
this condition and there is no way to 'undo' the effects of radiation to tissues.  
Most of what is offered is physical rehabilitation and training to maximize
functional status.
If you indeed have radiation necrosis, you should notify your radiation therapist
as he or she ought to know about it.  It is conceivable that there may be another
process going on, though the MRI should be able to rule out those conditions.
The radiation therapist will have more information about the condition, should
you desire.
Good luck.