alanr,

It's not wishful thinking on your part. I had definite improvement and measurable shrinkage of my nodules after my first 5 treatments. Because this was new to my doctors and they were interested I had 2 attendings and 2 resident who measured everything (of course I'd measured the size of my lumps myself). Actually I think I got the most improvement in the beginning. I continued to improve for a couple weeks after my final treatment. It's been about 7 months since I finished with my right hand. 8 since I finished with my left and ther has been no progression at all. Before it was progressing very aggresivly

Just my personal experience: they are typically drowned in work and e-mails get buried easily. Why don't you give him a call?

Wolfgang
PS: don't worry about duplicate posts, they will be deleted by the moderators.

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Are all radiologists slow to get back to you?

I contacted the one that my GP referred me to about 3 weeks ago and haven't heard back yet.

I also spoke to a freind whose partner just happens to be a radiologist about 10 days ago and no reply.

Are they all this slow? Someone said something about some 'get back to you within 8 weeks' as if this was normal. Whatever happened to customer service?

Tomo

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Went to the Radiotherapy Oncologist today.
Results not resolved either way if he will help me or not. He was quick to point out the possible side effects of the radioation therapy and that none of his colleagues would take on the job when he discussed it with them.
So I listened to him and then explained that I was aware of the possible side effects and also that if I wait for old fashioned surgery there are similar risks. Also I think he was impressed with my knowledge of the issues which I thank you all for as I the majority of my DD learning has been at this forum and the DD website.
The upshot is that he will do some more research as he was not aware of the results from the 2002 trials that I found on the Cochrane's Library. His only knowledge of resaults was over 10 years ago.
I am ringing him friday week to get an answer, will keep you informed.
Tomo

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Went to the Radiotherapy Oncologist today.
He was quick to point out the possible side effects of the radiotherapy

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Although I've had Dups for a couple of years in the palm without contracture as yet, I have thought about Radiotherapy to try to halt or stop it but the side effects issue does concern me. What did he point out? If radiotherapy is a fairly safe and useful option then why isn't it more widely available? I wrote to my doctor to ask what he thought but he suggested that I write to the consultant who saw me at the hospital. The consultant's position seemed to be come back when you can't put your hand flat and I'll perform OS I now feel that I'm in the position of medical expert to decide how to treat myself

BTW I'm UK based. You'd know me as a POM

Hi TrevB,

The side effects include the possibility of cancer caused by the treatment. The stat that he quoted was 1 in 1,000 chance for a 65 year old undergoing normal radiotherapy doses for treatment of cancer and other issues, mostly cancers. DD treatment on the other hand, no pun intended, uses very low doses and is not aimed where there are vital organs that might be affected if the treatment is used for more traditional conditions like cancers in many parts of the body.

All of the other possible side effects that he raised are also possible where surgery is used as treatment, so my arguement was to treat it early and hopefully never need the surgery.

By the way I am 50 years old and he quoted stat for 65 year old. Yes I am concerned about the possible side effects from radiotherapy. No I don't want to wait for contracture and surgery, either NA or OS!

Tomo