Radiation is this normal?

Question

My dad has throat cancer and has taking 21 radiations and 2 chemo treatments he takes radiation mon-fri for an hour each day and chemo once every three weeks. His first chemo went really good other then he lost his taste buds and then he had his second dose of chemo and ended up being admited in the hospital because he couldn't eat and was dehyderated. Well he came back home for the weekend and I went to visit with him and he had real bad burns on his neck. His neck was black clear up to his chin and had blisters on it and now he's back in the hospital to get 9 more treatments of radiation and friday he gets one more thing of chemo is it normal for his neck to be so burned due to the radiation and I'm scared that it is going to get worse now that he has to have 9 more of them

Answer 1

That happened to my grandma on her breast and the radiologist said it is not normal - they should probably check the intensity of the beam - go in with him and make sure they check it for him.

If they say that happens, then they should be treating the skin for him.

If he's in the hospital, I'm sure they have seen it, but make sure you talk to the doctor or radiologist about it, not just the nurses.

They changed the intensity for my grandma.

Answer 2

Definitely talk to his oncologist.  You can call for him if he is with you and gives his permission to the oncologist office to discuss his case.  Explain the sores and burn and ask what you can do to relieve the pain and treat the sores.  I am not sure if it is normal or not but the oncologist should give you directions on how to treat the burns and sores or have you take him in for an appointment.  I'm sorry that I don't have any real advice for you but your best advice would be from his oncologist.

I did see these blogs on line.  - these are two blogs written by throat cancer patients who underwent radiation.  The blogs show pics of their burns from radiation to the throat.

http://www.fashion-era.com/Radiotherapy_...

http://www.cancer-throat.com/?p=89

Answer 3

The loss of the taste buds are from the radiation not from the chemo.

He should see the Radiologist which he should be seeing once a week anyway.  

Answer 4

The nurses at the radiation center should have recommended something he can put on his skin to minimize the burning. My team recommended only aloe vera gel (100% pure clear), and calendula lotion. You have to be sure to apply frequently ... I did aloe 2x per day and calendula once per day. I had very little burning after 6+ weeks.

Since he is so burned, he will need a prescription to deal with it. He must insist that the radiation oncologist see him and prescribe something to deal with it. They are supposed to be curing the cancer, not torturing people.