My father is 75 and had a spinal cord tumor (very large) removed in 1996. He has had a deterating condition for the last 12 years which basically leaves him home bound. He has a very hard time walking and getting around short distances. He had a mild or light stroke a month ago. His new Doctor has now dianosed him with Radiation Nercious but would not give us any details of his prognosis. He only said he could not treat him with anything. Can anyone give me an idea (Doctors please) of what I am faced with? Will this eventally kill him? Will this cause other Life-Threatening conditions? WE are getting a 2nd opinion. Please help me understand this.
2007-10-18 09:52:24 · 1 answers · asked by sheilakel 3 in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ Other - Diseases
It might be a good idea to get some clarification from the present doctor - the doctor probably diagnosed the problem as radiation necrosis, which is a complication caused by use of radiation for cancer treatment. This condition is one where the blood vessels are damaged from radiation treatment, and nearby nerve or brain cells die because their blood supply is cut off. The severity of the problem can span a huge range depending on the amount of damage and its location. The doctor should be able to describe the location and extent of the damage, and maybe whether or not it is progressing or stable.
A lot depends on where the necrosis is located. It usually is focused at the site of the tumor, but rarely, it can be dispersed. In general, the closer to the brain - the more likely it is to cause life-threatening problems. Lower in the spine, it can cause things like paralysis, tingling, or sensory losses. Since radiation necrosis is caused by a vascular problem, it may be related to the stroke.
I'm not a doctor, so this is not a professional opinion.
2007-10-18 10:51:30 · answer #1 · answered by formerly_bob 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋