Re: radiation therapy to the eyes

From: Steph (steph_at_vancouver.island)
Date: 02/18/05 

Date: Fri, 18 Feb 2005 16:39:49 GMT

"J" <lkawz@anon.invalid> wrote in message
news:4215CA4B.DAA06214@execulink.com...
> http://www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk/en.asp?TopicID=91&AreaID=1019&LinkID=622
> "Radiotherapy works well if the cancer has spread to the bones, parts of
> the brain, eyes, lymph nodes or locally near the original cancer."
>
> Who does or does not get this? (there was a 97 year old in an earlier
> thread - head and neck cancer - I failed to mention that)
>
> Is that to stop the spread?
> Instead of surgery?
> Is vision affected?
>
> Thanks,
> J
>

It's very effective palliation.
The doses used don't damage the retina, but do increase the incidence of
cataract over the next few years.
But these patients have a very poor survival prognosis, so it's not terribly
relevant

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