does anyone know how long after chemo you do radiation? In what time frame is best?

Question

surgery for bc, chemo, now radiation...?

Answer 1

There are a lot of diferent factors.

The age and health of the patient.
The type of cancer.
The results of surgery/biopsy.
Etc.

In my case I had surgery, followed by 6 x 4 week cycles of chemo with radiation overlapping from week 6 to 11.

My brother with different cancer had chemo & radiation with no surgery.

One sister had surgery, then radiation and no chemo.

Another sister had surgery, radiation then chemo.

All different!

Your oncologist will tailor your treatment to suit you

Answer 2

For best results, you should start radiation and chemo at the same time, about 3 weeks after the surgery. Depending on your physical condition, the doctor may plan different programs. There is no time period that you have to wait between the radiation and chemo.

Answer 3

There is no definite hard and fast rule as to the time between treatments. This is all very much dependant upon a number of variables the least of which are;
- the type and stage of cancer being treated
- your personnal state and well being
- Blood count levels in particular white blood cell counts
- overall treatment plan and purpose of the treatment.
There are many instances when chemo and radiation therapy (RT) are adjuvant type treatment and applied togeter and in other cases staggered. All very much depends on the individuals circumstances and and your doctor's planned treatment plan.
In my particular case, having a very rare thymic carcinoma, chemo was instigated first, followed by surgery 4-weeks later and RT 8-weeks after that. All you can do is go by what our oncologist proposes, because every case is different.
All the very best....

Answer 4

It depends on the type of cancer you have and the types of chemotherapy medicines you will be taking.
Some times chemo meds can make the radiation side effects worse and vicevera, but sometimes they can workt he best together.

So it depends on the type of cancer because some cancers dont react to radiation and some dont react to chemo. And the drugs they will be using.

Answer 5

It depends on the type of cancer...
my sister was just diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. (stage 3) she starts chemo and radiation for the next 5 weeks.... chemo one week then the next week radiation. this is all new to me also, but thank GOD for the Internet and Yahoo Answers.... We will get through this!

Good Luck to you.

Answer 6

There is not prescribed time Gap to be allowed between surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy. It depends mainly on the health condition of the patient and blood counts. It also depends the stage and type of the disease and requirement of the adjuvant therapy.

A complete blood count (CBC) is commonly done before and regularly during treatment. The CBC shows the numbers of white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets in the blood. Because chemotherapy affects the bone marrow, where blood cells are made, levels of these cells often drop during chemotherapy. The white blood cells and platelets are most likely to be affected by chemotherapy. A drop in the white blood cell count means that the immune system cannot function properly. Low levels of platelets can cause a patient to bleed easily from a cut or other wound. A low red blood cell count can lead to anemia (deficiency of red blood cells) and fatigue.

So it is very essential that different blood counts should improve before next cycle of treatment is given. You physician may give some medicine and suggest particular type of food for improving on these lines.

Generally 21 days (or 3 weeks) time is given in between each and every treatment and by that time the patient is likely to be fit to withstand the next course of treatment. -

Answer 7

It depends on the type of cancer and the stage of the disease.
My son has advanced cancer and has never had radiation. So, it really depends on what your doctor is recommending for you individually. There is no specific time frame. Sometimes chemotherapy and radiation are done together, sometimes they are not. All modalities can be used separately or in conjunction with each other to produce the best results.

Answer 8

I had about 3 weeks between chemo and radiation.
Best wishes

Answer 9

I don't do surgery or go to the doctor to get better. I don't get ill any more. I have found what the ancients knew long before the advent of pharmaceutical company hype. Herbs ' will ' help heal or prevent any and all diseases. Cancers, colds, AIDS, any diseases. All you have to do is apply yourself and the web and find out how to do this yourself. It will save you thousands and thousands of dollars and heartache. And more importantly you will find out that doctors and TV and pharmaceutical companies are all like the cigarette companies and politicians. They are lying to get more money out of you. In my opinion, herbs and herbal formulae are the only way to go.

Answer 10

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