side effects of radiation therapy for ovca

[daylily]

third recurrence, first remission, seven years. second remission three years. Scans of abd, pelvis and chest neg for disease. However small pea size growth at tip of vagina, came back positive for ovca. Radiation and chemo being suggested, however worried about side effects of radiation, particularly any pernmanent side effects.
anyone had radiation for ovca

[kmoe]

How does grade of tumor and cell type affect all the treatment options? Does radiotherapy apply as well to grade 3 endometroid as grade 1? I am asking because my sister has grade 3, stage 2C, endometroid cell and had possibly a lot of disease in pelvis, cul-de-sac?, left before starting chemo and I am worried sick about it. Good news is CA-125 came down from 195 to 95 after two weeks 1st chemo. Hoping second CA-125, ten days after second chemo, comes down a lot. I have read good things on radiotherapy applied to pelvis tumors, stage 2, and abdomin, stage 3, if tumors are not as large. I am saving this as an option if she has persistant disease after 1st round chemo. May be a good idea even if disease is wiped out? Fluid build up, lymphodema ?, is scary though. "God works all things for the good of those who love him...". Hard to understand sometimes with a disease like this. God bless.

[daylily]

Thank you all for your responses to my concerns about radiation therapy. to answer  a question, I was dx at stage 3c ovarian cancer in 1997, Had surgery then six rounds of taxol/carbo, in 2004 had same chemo again. Much as I hate doing this again, scans are still negative,last time it was small growth on vag wall, this time at tip of vagina, which is why I guess they are thinking radiation plus chemo may help
My prayers and thoughts are with you all.

[baguba]

There is a lady who takes chemo at the same time as I do, and she had radiation therapy for OVCA and did extremely well.  She said her major complaint was tiredness.We do what we have to do, and know that God will watch over us.  What stage were you when you were originally DX?  Seven years is HUGE as far as remission in OVCA; and then another 3 on top of that!  You are living proof that we can treat this as a "chronic" disease so long as we have the proper outlook, attitude, physical and mental strength, and of course, God's blessings.  I will keep you in my prayers - not only are you a survivor, but you are truly an inspiration to all of us who battle this beast daily!  God Bless you!

[kismetfarm]

Had 10 doses of low dose radiation last October just to reduce one tumor that was painful.  It worked perfectly - tumor now a quarter the size it was and no longer painful(which was all they intended was never expected to get rid of it completely) with no side effects at all.

[dian07]

Geeze, you guys....seven years and then the beast rears it's ugly head again?  Returns again after three years....three recurrances....what a nightmare....you two are incredible women.....truely you are warriors of great bravery, character and honor.....I bow in absolute respect of you ...and I honor you and  all others who are walking the same path.
Peace.
dian

[Diane B]

Yes last March 2006 when I had my third recurrence I started radiation for a spot in my pelvis area, I did about six weeks of radiation at which time the cancer in that spot was good and didn't spread but in the meantime my cancer was spreading in other places so I had to stop the radiation and start chemo.  The side effect I have from the radiation is fluid build up in pelvis area.  I hope this will help. Good luck and my thought and prayer are with you. Diane