Question 1

how does a patient survive the horrors of chemo and radiation? what are common side effects? can these treatments make you so sick that you die?

Accepted Answer

Find support: Ask your doctors for leads to good information on exactly what will be done and what to expect - not just once but as treatment progresses. Also get leads to local support groups & reliable literature. It will help if you drop words like "horrors" to true, but less emotional ones. High quality care will evaluate your ability to handle treatment and work w/in safe limits. Psychotherapy can help too.

Question 2

stage 2/3 rectal cancer, 60-yr m patient, chemo+radiation, ok to have surgery to remove mass 2 weeks after treatment?

Accepted Answer

That depends: On your overall health and status post treatment.  Often, the surgeon will request you to be medically cleared which needs to be done by your internist or PCP, and involves a Physical exam, and possible blood work with an EKG and Chest Xray to see if you are medically stable to undergo the operation.  Best wishes.

Question 3

is it safe for a 3 year old and 5 year old to be around an adult cancer patient who is actively getting chemo & radiation treatments?

Accepted Answer

Risk for patient: The risks are largely for the person who might be immunocompromised, the cancer patient to get an infection from another person.  Some treatments do carry risks if  there is direct contact with a patient's stool, urine or emesis, but generally careful hygiene practices will prevent this,  and it is quite unlikely for the kids to be in any danger.

Question 4

if a cancer patient chooses regardless of stage and type, and based upon autonomy right, not to have surgery, chemo, radiation, immunotherapy or clinical trials what then happens next for the patient? have you ever heard of this? person goes home?

Accepted Answer

: Patients have a choice to accept or deny any treatment if they are a competent adult. If they want to sit at home and let the cancer kill them it its own time frame, they can and some do. If this choice is made it is important to inform all family members and or friends that may be present at any point. When called, an ambulance will take comatose people to a hospital regardless of their choice.

Question 5

why dont lung cancer patients usually get lung transplants? wouldnt this be better than chemo or radiation to get rid of the cancer lung?

Accepted Answer

Lung cancer spreads: Transplants are only useful if we can first eradicate the cancer, which is not possible in the case of Lung cancer. Further there is reduced immunity following transplants which encourages the cancer to grow faster and spread as the immune system is what keeps the Cancer under check for most of the time.

Question 6

i am a cancer patient and my doctor is out of town i am a breast cancer patient graded stage 2 carsanoma and had two breast tumors removed, a second for clear margins and five lymphnodes removed and were negative i have went through chemo, radiation, i go

Accepted Answer

The : The reason for the production of breast milk can be attributed to the hormone therapy. However the production of breast milk can also be attributed to stress and other medications.
Seeing as your body underwent the stress of surgery and is on hormone therapy, this side effect can be expected.

Question 7

pancreatic oncology: what is the hope that chemotherapy and radiation gives to a patient with pancreatic cancer in stage 2 or 3?

Accepted Answer

Not curative: Only palliative, extend life 2-3 years if that much

Question 8

what would be the rational to treating a lung cancer patient with both radiation and chemotherapy for treatment?

Accepted Answer

Cell type: There are different cell types, locations, activities of the cancer that may respond to one or both modalities sequentially.

Question 9

can you please suggest a liquid diet, high calorie menu or recipe for a mouth cancer patient who is undergoing chemotherapy and radiation?

Accepted Answer

High protein: There are many high protein, high energy commercially available drinks such as Boost and Ensure.  Also try chicken or beef broth, Egg Drop Soup,  pudding, yoghurt, ice cream, milk shakes, eggs, etc.  consult with a Nutritionist who will have lots of great ideas.

Question 10

can you have  radiation treatment while receiving chemotherapy?

Accepted Answer

Yes: It depends on the cancer, but sometimes we give radiation therapy and chemotherapy together.  It is much stronger that way but has more side effects.

Get Virtual Care

For Businesses

About Us

HealthTap Online Primary Care Doctors Accepting New Patients

Doctor answers about:

Is it harmful to pets to be close to a patient receiving radiation and Chemo

A member asked:

How does a patient survive the horrors of chemo and radiation? what are common side effects? can these treatments make you so sick that you die?

A member asked:

Stage 2/3 rectal cancer, 60-yr m patient, chemo+radiation, ok to have surgery to remove mass 2 weeks after treatment?

A member asked:

Is it safe for a 3 year old and 5 year old to be around an adult cancer patient who is actively getting chemo & radiation treatments?

A member asked:

If a cancer patient chooses regardless of stage and type, and based upon autonomy right, not to have surgery, chemo, radiation, immunotherapy or clinical trials what then happens next for the patient? have you ever heard of this? person goes home?

A member asked:

Why dont lung cancer patients usually get lung transplants? wouldnt this be better than chemo or radiation to get rid of the cancer lung?

A member asked:

I am a cancer patient and my doctor is out of town i am a breast cancer patient graded stage 2 carsanoma and had two breast tumors removed, a second for clear margins and five lymphnodes removed and were negative i have went through chemo, radiation, i go

A member asked:

Pancreatic oncology: what is the hope that chemotherapy and radiation gives to a patient with pancreatic cancer in stage 2 or 3?

A member asked:

What would be the rational to treating a lung cancer patient with both radiation and chemotherapy for treatment?

A member asked:

Can you please suggest a liquid diet, high calorie menu or recipe for a mouth cancer patient who is undergoing chemotherapy and radiation?

A member asked:

Can you have radiation treatment while receiving chemotherapy?

HealthTap Online Primary Care Doctors Accepting New Patients

Telemedicine

Primary Care

Manage Your Conditions

Women's Health

Children's Health

Men's Health

Senior Health

Wellness, Prevention & Lifestyle

Sexual Health

Mental & Behavioral Health

Travel Medicine

Urgent Care

Didn't find what you're looking for?

More of what we treat

Allergies

Antibiotics

Asthma

High Blood Pressure

Prescriptions

Type 2 Diabetes

For Businesses

Company

Health Content

Join Us

Download HealthTap

Questions?