After effect of Radiation, is this normal?

wilstreak

Two years ago, my mom had a breast cancer. After undergoing a treatment thankfully she can be healed.

But this year, there is what you call metastatic cancer(that's what her doctor told me). My mom feel a back/bone pain and based on MRI, that is a cancer.

The doctor said to take Radiation Therapy for 30 times divided in 3 session. After undergoing the radio therapy, there is pretty much bad effect like

-She can't control her saliva making her always bringing a plastic bag to spit it out for every minute

-Her skin become rougher than normal

-She exhaust easily.

 Is that still considered normal?

And what is making me more confused. She is now undergoing second-line chemotherapy (the medicine is Xeloda), her CEA seems to be higher compared to the first time before she wasundergoing treatment. How is that even possible?

For Information, my mom is 50 years old

Thank you 

msphil

Dear sweetie, what your mom is experiening is pretty normal I went those symptoms and more, each person is different but basically the same effects, my skin went dark,the bottom of my hands and feet were also dark I had mouth sores. so as you see there are many different side effects.  But believe me they get better and she will feel better and I too was exhausted all the time, but I,m ALIVE GOD kept me here to help you and others going through, I,m 17 yrs Cancer Free (Praise GOD) and I,m doing just fine, stay POSITIVE and ALWAYS keep HOPE.  msphil 

wilstreak

how much time did it takes from the radiotherapy done until all the symptomp go away ?

My mom looks kinda frustated by it

cycle-path

Wilstreak, from what you're saying it sounds to me that your mom is suffering from the symptoms of metastatic cancer, not from the aftereffects of radiation. Did the doctor tell you her symptoms were from the new cancer, or from the radiation? If you're not sure, you (or she) should ask.

wilstreak

I'm not sure, but all the symptomp come after she undergoing radio theraphy.

Oh yeah, how come her CEA became significantly higher after having radiotheraphy and chemotherapy. Didn't CEA is the indicator that tell us about cancer cell right ? 

cycle-path

Wilstreak, you or your mother need to ask the doctor if the symptoms she is having are from radiation or from the new cancer.

CEA isn't a reliable predictor of the presence of breast cancer. If your mom's doctor is using CEA to monitor her breast cancer, I think she needs to find another doctor. 

susan_02143

cycle,

You wrote :  CEA isn't a reliable predictor of the presence of breast cancer. If your mom's doctor is using CEA to monitor her breast cancer, I think she needs to find another doctor. 

Sorry, that is just not a prudent statement at all. For some people, the CEA is very accurate while for others it isn't. Some doctors use the CEA as a tracking device in conjunction with other standard tests. To tell a Stage IV woman's daughter that her doctor is less than competent based on whether or not the doctor chooses to run the CEA as part of a panel of test is simply irresponsible.

As to her side effects from radiation therapy, the fatigue and skin are absolutely normal. The saliva sounds like her mouth must have been in the field, and I would talk with the doctor about any ideas they might have to alleviate this. Without knowing a lot more about your mother's CEA history it is impossible to know how her current numbers compare, if they are accurate for her... however, my numbers did go up slightly after radiation in response to an infection.

You might wish to come join us on the Stage IV forum on this sight. Lots of women there have had just about every treatment option and can give you more useful feedback than I can.

*susan*