Ovarian cancer - is radiation therapy common treatment and if so, does it cause seizures???

Question

I work in a very small firm and a young girl has been using outrageous excuses for being out sick...ovarian cancer (radiation therapy is now causing seizures), bad back aches (now getting cortisone shots...caused from moving one weekend)....among so many others (like death of parents and grandparents). The cancer and seizures just broke the camel's back -- by the way, she was running late a couple of weeks ago and said she had a seizure on the way to work (while driving)....but she came to work -- not disheveled or sickly looking!

I haven't chosen a best answer yet because today, we found out that the girl is having seizures due brain-swelling caused by the steroids she is taking for Lupus (new illness) and that she is going in for surgery to alleviate the swelling (this will be a "out-patient" procedure)....it is never-ending.

Answer 1

Hi Lottie:

Get documentation because her story doesn't jibe with the typical picture for ovarian cancer.

Typical age for ovarian cancer is diagnosis in your 60's, treatment usually surgery then chemotherapy, NOT radiation in most circumstances. If she's getting seizures, it's rare with radiation treatment to her head but she should have lost her hair in that case. If it's anywhere else in the body, then seizures wouldn't happen from radiation.

If she's reporting seizures while driving to you, then you may want to tell her you plan to call the DMV to reassess her ability to drive safely for her sake and that of other drivers/pedestrians. See how she responds and get documentation.

Answer 2

Here's a easy answer: Why not ask her straight out if she is being straightforward with you?

Maybe she has a mental illness and is afraid to own up to it. Maybe she needs some assistance in some way.

You could tell her that she needs to have a doctor's note about the cancer, and that you will be understanding about it but you need to get a better idea of when she is going to be out.

If you're going to have to fire this woman down the road, you need to know if she really does have cancer or not. If she does have cancer, or any other disability for that matter, including a mental illness, better try to make reasonable accomodations for her. I'm not sure if the law applies to a small firm, but why take chances?

I have had chronic health conditions for years, and I was always straightforward with my employers about what was going on. But years later, after I got -- guess what -- cancer, they told me they had thought I was a hypochondriac, which I'm not. But if they had just asked for doctors' notes, I would have been able to provide them. Perhaps I should have been more proactive and gotten the notes, but I didn't realize my employer thought I was lying.

During that time I also have had several funerals -- 2 of my grandparents have died and several close friends I knew through cancer support groups.

So although her stories sound outrageous, there may be some truth to them -- or not. But either way it sounds like she needs some assistance to work her way through it.

If she is lying give her a warning and see how she responds before taking action. Perhaps she just needs a wake-up call.

Answer 3

I have had ovarian cancer, I was not told or warned about seizures. (but I guess that doesnt mean it cant happen). The most common treatment for Ovarian cancer is first a hysterectomy, then treatments of chemo, then radiation if needed. Most common is 3 treatments of chemo then radiation, then 3 more chemo treatments. And this is ONLY if the cancer has broken through the wall of the uterus. Go into detail with her about her radiation treatments. Find out how it was given and where. Where as in, on her body. So you will know, they have you lay on your stomach and the radiation is given in (most cases) 3 spots. one at the top of crack of your butt and one on each side. You would think it would be given in your stomach, but NO, to many other organs of the body there in the way so its done on your back. Its given buy a machine that is something like an x-ray and takes about 5 mins. And is done everyday for about a month (except weekends and holidays.) I had 28 treatments, I had to go everyday. and took over 6 wks because of weekends and holidays. Only side effect was being tired after the treatments were over. And you are most likely to have cases of diarrhea since the radiation is given in your butt. Doctor had me take Ammodium AD every morning if I needed it or not.

I'd love to know if you catch her in a lie.... Good Luck.

Answer 4

Highly unlikely.

According to what I have read, seizures caused by Radiation Therapy happen only when the radiation is focused directly to the skull. Sometimes brain cells killed by radiation form a mass in the brain. The mass may look like a tumor and may cause similar symptoms, such as headaches, memory loss, or SEIZURES. Doctors may suggest surgery or steroids to relieve these problems. About 4 to 8 weeks after radiation therapy, patients may become quite sleepy or lose their appetite. These symptoms may last several weeks, but they usually go away on their own.

Also, radiation therapy equipment employs protective equipment such as lead shields, castings, and glass x-ray barriers in order to protect people and the environment from the harmful effects of ionizing radiation.

Answer 5

Radiation can do both. Radiation mainly affects cells that have a high rate of division. Skin cells are a good example. We are constantly making and shedding skin cells. This is why UV radiation is damaging to the skin. Certain cells have a slow division rate or do not divide at all. Nerve cells do not divide (go under mitosis). What cancer is in a plan sense, is mitosis "out of control". The cells go under a abnormal division rate. So since they are dividing at a higher rate then they normal would this is why radiation can also cure cancer.

Answer 6

Radiation therapy is one type of treatment for ovarian cancer. Much depends upon the stage of the cancer that will determine the type of treatment (other treatment includes chemotherapy or surgery).

I do not really know if what you are describing is cancer or not. No one here can really tell you that. However, many cancers including abdominal cancer is often asymptomatic until the very late stages, especially in young people.

I can point you to some reading material to help you understand this disease more:

National Cancer Institute: Ovarian Cancer
http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/types/ovarian

Medline Plus: Ovarian Cancer
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ovariancancer.html

Answer 7

N0V-002 (novo-two) is a New adjunct medication used with standard chemotherapy

currently being tested for approval in the USA.

Increased the ability of patients to tolerate Chemo to the full 100%
Increased the Cancer Survival rate by 80%

They are accepting some patients under FDA Fast Track SPA Phase III in the USA.

See "Script" message on this board, Novo Two is available outside US:

http://messages.finance.yahoo.com/mb/NVLT.OB

Novelos' pipeline of drugs is based on oxidized glutathione, a natural metabolite that is part of the glutathione pathway. This pathway is the primary determinant of intracellular redox (oxidation/reduction) potential and, as such, plays a key role in cell protection (e.g. detoxification) and in regulation of cell signaling pathways (e.g. leading to cytokine production). Novelos’ lead products are believed to act, in part, via post-translational modification (glutathionylation) of critical regulatory proteins that mediate processes including immune function, cell proliferation and tumor progression (in combination with chemotherapy). They may also sensitize tumor cells to certain chemotherapeutic drugs by modifying drug detoxification processes.

(worth a try)

Answer 8

Well to me, sounds like a young girl who's mind is on other things then work...but some seizures are diffrent...they will just make you disoriented...kinda like having altimers...but only for a few min. I think w/ ovarian cancer they just do a historectomey

Answer 9

As a former employer/manager, I can tell you that you are well within your rights to ask for documentation from her 'doctor' to excuse absences/tardies, and you can ask for a note from him detailing any work-related limitations. If none is forthcoming, you should start disciplinary action--in writing--and either she will straighten up or leave.

Answer 10

my sistere had a seizure after radiation for a certain test. yes they can use radiaton on the cancer