My son's fiance began radiation therapy for leukemia 4 weeks ago.  She was in remission 8 years and her Dr. felt confident he caught it quite early when her cells were just beginning to change.  She also takes the Depo shot for contraceptive but found out she's 6 weeks pregnant.  She's had 3 radiation sessions and her oncologist said it hasn't harmed the baby and if she decides to go go full term with her pregnancy he will switch her to chemo.  She has a gyno appointment next week but my son is afraid to take a chance with her health and the harmful effects of the radiation and now chemo. They're thinking about terminating the pregnancy. Is there anyone with knowlegde about this ?
131559
I am really surprised that they did not do a pregnancy test prior to starting radiation, even if the woman was on birth control.  In my experience, that is the first thing they look for because radiaton treatment can be extremely harmful to a fetus.  \n\nIt is not a good idea to become pregnant during radiation therapy because radiation may harm the fetus.  http://www.cancer.org/docroot/MIT/content/MIT_7_2X_What_Side_Effects_Occur_With_Radiation_Therapy_to_the_Pelvis.asp?sitearea=MIT\n\nPatients should not become pregnant during radiation therapy because radiation treatment during pregnancy will injure the fetus, especially in the first three months. If a patient is pregnant before therapy, the doctor should be informed so that the fetus can be protected from radiation, if possible.  http://www.healthatoz.com/healthatoz/Atoz/dc/cen/canc/gen/radiation.jsp
170644
A doctor that I have been seeing for other medical conditions besides anything to do with pregnancy was telling me about a study that a doctor in Penn. was doing for women who had been going to all kinds of trouble trying to get pregnant. They had tried every drug known to man out there and went to the best specialist when he decide to use Metformin a common drug used for people with diabetes. \nThis doctor even suggested the same thing for her own daughter and she was pregnant within two weeks of starting the med. So just a thought!
557453
Sorry there really isn't a good answer for that, because all people are different and there is so many types of chemo. Good luck!
525584
I'd say he has something important to tell you. However, the good news is that he feels he can wait until Friday!\n\nWhen my sons pediatrician suspected something he sent us to the hospital emergency room. He than would not allow us to leave until he made phone calls. My son was than sent as an emergency patient to a major hospital. And, we still didn't know he had cancer definitely! It was one of the residents who admitted him into the children's hospital who finally said the word, "Cancer". Horrible time.\n\nAnyway, stay hopeful in the fact that he is allowing you a Thanksgiving holiday. If it was an emergency you would be in the hospital. \n\nI'll be sending you good vibes for good news!\nTake care, and stay hopeful. Don't worry about something that hasn't yet happened.
133913
First off Congrats on being cancer free. While I have never had cerival cancer at 19 I was diagonesed with ovarian cancer.  I am now an 8 year survior.  This year however two of my cousins have been diagnoesed with cervical cancer.  They are all under the age 30.  If you want just drop me a message I would love to talk.
215926
I would be afraid, but if it was suggested to me by at least three different doctors, I would be inclined to do chemo.\nI am so sorry to hear of your mother-in-law's passing.\nIt is important to remember, though, that cancer is, indeed, a SILENT killer.  Even with all the technology and knowledge of today, doctors just aren't infallible.  They do commendable work, but they just can't hit the nail on the head every time.\nSo, so sad.  Continue being there for your husband and I sure feel badly for the loss of his mother.  I lost my mother from cancer and think of her EVERY SINGLE DAY, so I understand the "place" your husband is in.  It's the PITS.
671595
Its probably safe, assuming everything is resolved, however I would ask your oncologist to be sure. There are too many variables for this to be a general question. I promise you it won't be anything your doctor hasnt heard before,so don't be embaressed to ask!
466989
Here is what I found on the following website and these are just studies.  There is more on the website than what I copied and pasted.  Just because it is here, doesn't mean that it will happen to you.  I will pray for you and your good health, and that you will never have to face or see these risk factor head on.  \n\ndiethylstilbestrol   http://www.aafp.org/afp/20040515/2395.html\nDaughters with in Utero DES Exposure \n\nIn the daughters of women who took DES during pregnancy, the incidence of clear cell adenocarcinoma of the vagina and cervix ranges from 1.4 cases per 1,000 exposed persons to one case per 10,000 exposed persons.13 Clear cell adenocarcinoma is most likely to develop when women with in utero DES exposure are between 17 and 22 years of age. However, cases have been diagnosed in women in their 30s and 40s, and there is concern about a possible second age-incidence peak of clear cell adenocarcinoma as women with in utero DES exposure grow older.14 Clear cell adenocarcinoma of the vagina and cervix is rare in women without in utero DES exposure; in such cases, the cancer usually develops in the postmenopausal period.15 \n\nMany women who were exposed to DES in utero are just beginning to reach menopause. Because of the concern about a second peak in the incidence of clear cell adenocarcinoma, continued surveillance for this cancer is warranted in these women.16 \n\nWomen with in utero DES exposure do not have a higher documented incidence of any other cancer. Data from several studies17,18 suggest that these women may have a higher incidence of high-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia, but not invasive cervical carcinoma. However, the findings of these studies have been questioned, in that women with in utero DES exposure may receive increased cytologic screening. A link with breast cancer is under investigation.2 \n\n \nTABLE 2\nStructural Abnormalities in Women with in Utero DES Exposure \n\n--------------------------------------------------------------------------------\n \nCervix \nHypoplastic cervix \nCockscomb cervix \nCervical collar \nPseudopolyp  Vagina \nClear cell adenocarcinoma \nAdenosis \nUterus \nT-shaped uterus  \n\n--------------------------------------------------------------------------------\n \nDES = diethylstilbestrol  \n \n \nMany women who were exposed to DES in utero have a range of structural reproductive tract abnormalities19,20 (Table 2). The National Collaborative Diethylstilbestrol Adenosis project19 followed approximately 4,500 DES-exposed women for almost 20 years and found an 18 percent incidence of structural uterine, cervical, or vaginal abnormalities. The incidence of these abnormalities may be as high as 33 percent in women with in utero DES exposure.2 \n\nDES can cause changes in the vaginal epithelium, including adenosis (columnar epithelium located in the upper one third of the vagina). Although vaginal adenosis is benign, it sometimes causes abnormal bleeding. The degree of adenosis depends on the DES dosage and the stage during the pregnancy that the agent was taken. The most severe changes occur in the daughters of women who took DES during the first trimester.20 Although vaginal clear cell adenocarcinoma generally develops in areas of adenosis, whether individual areas of adenosis progress to this cancer remains unknown. \n\nPerformance of colposcopy (to assess for abnormal epithelium) frequently is recommended during the first pelvic examination in all women with in utero DES exposure (Table 3).21 If the initial colposcopic examination is normal, annual pelvic examinations and annual cervical Pap smears and four-quadrant vaginal Pap smears are adequate, and colposcopy does not need to be repeated.21,22 [Reference 22: SOR C, consensus practice guideline based on expert opinion] If the initial colposcopic examination demonstrates any abnormalities, annual colposcopy with cytology is indicated. \n\n \nTABLE 3\nClinical Recommendation for Women with in Utero DES E
523871
From what you wrote it sounds like a lymphoma type cancer or breast cancer that has spread to the lymph nodes and to the soft tissues which attach to the sternum but not inside the bone itself which is a good thing.  \n\nI can't give you the odds of living because I don't know her full history with cancer, family history, health issues she might have, how long since she noticed this, if it's the first test, etc.  But I can tell you that people are living with cancer like people live with asthma or diabetes.  \n\nIt sounds like she would need chemo and radiation to shrink the masses, then surgery to remove what they can, then more chemo and radiation, then physical therapy.  If they remove the lymph nodes which it sounds like they would be thinking of that, she probably would have a good chance to develop lymphedema, which in that case, I can help you with those issues but the first issue is cancer treatments.  What does her doctor suggest?\n\nI'm a cancer survivor and believe me if I got the diagnosis she did, I would opt for heavy duty chemo, radiation prior to surgery, then surgery for them to take out what they can, then more chemo and radiation and kill the stuff off, then you have to monitor things.  Has she had a PET scan?  I would say with the involvement of soft tissues, lymph nodes, she needs one to be sure it hasn't spread anywhere else unnoticed.\n\nHer odds aren't lost with the right treatment, she needs to keep a positive attitude and you need to show her alot of support because I imagine she is afraid, depressed, and worried about the odds and treatments and how she is gonna feel.
200354
I was diagnosed in Dec. 2001, did chemo and radiation and I am now on tamoxifen and Depo Lupron shots every 3 months. Not sure about Zolodex, but Lupron shuts off your ovaries (I'm assuming Zolodex is similar?)and of course without ovulation you cannot become pregnant. This is assuming the medication is working properly. If you're wondering about your chances of conceiving after your hormone treatment, I was told that I'll have to wait and see what happens when my hormones return. Everyone's body is different and a lot depends on your reproductive health before all this began. Best of luck to you!
60917
I dont quite understand your question but are you asking if being xrayed last year can affect you getting pregnant then no.If you had wotn a lead apron they wouldnt have been able to xray you '
385749
My 17 year old son had not been feeling well. He had a blood test which indicated that he had hypothyroidism. His belly was also swelling. We went to see an endoconologist who tapped on my sons belly and than said he thought more was going on than hypothyroidism. We didn't have a clue. He sent us back to our family doctor, who referred us to a major medical center. We were told to drive him there as quickly as possible and not stop. He was admitted at 11pm and we were all exhausted. The pediatric residents on the floor examined him and that was the first time I heard the word cancer. He had a lump in his neck (lympth nodes), under his arm pits, and groin. His belly was swollen and filled with fluid. He couldn't eat anything at all, but they asked him to swallow a liter of contrast for a CT. I really don't know how he did it. \n\nThe entire time we were all calm, just anxious to find out the extent of the cancer. Everytime a doctor walked into the room the news just got worse and worse. My son at 17 handled it all calmly. A team of doctors came in (with the social worker - we quickly learned that when the social worker comes in with the doctors its probably not good news). My son had a volley ball size tumor in the abdominal cavity, tumors on the large and small intestine, rectum, spleen, liver, chest wall, spots on lungs, diaphragm, and malignant asicitis. Whew. I never felt so sick in my life listening to this news. My son was given a choice at that time . . to go home or to stay and fight his disease.\n\nAnd, in that maddeningly calm and philosophical way he has he asked, "Well . . is there any treatment for this?"\n\nHe was told that there was a possibility that the tumors might respond to chemotherapy. Since it was a rare, very aggressive sarcoma, we were told that there were no guarantees, but they would help him fight it if that is what he wanted.\n\nHis response was, "Well. Let's do it than."\n\nAnd, with every treatment he's had in the past 19 months he's had the same response. There is no protocol and few treatment options for his cancer but  his pediatric oncologist and team has worked tirelessly looking for answers. They have been amazing.\n\nAfter 8 months of high dose chemotherapy his tumors responded significantly to the treatment. His primary tumor shrunk over 50%, others disappeared totally, he was able to have one surgical debulking to remove 75% of visible tumors. Last year at this time he still had active cancer and was asked he would like to try an experimental procedure where they heat the chemicals and bathe the abdomen with them. This was to address the tiny and microscopic disease that had embedded onto the diaphragm. All he said was, "Let's go create some information about this. If it works . . we'll know its a good treatment . . if it doesn't work . . we'll still be creating valuable information."\n\nHe had the surgery, they removed his spleen, the tumors on his intestines peeled off, and scrapped as much of the tumor from the diaphragm that they could. The experiment worked and he had no evidence of disease for the past 8 months.\n\nVery early on, I would say during those first horrible moments of diagnosis we all made the determination to remain positive. To face news whether it was good or bad. And enjoy each moment that we had. We also learned to 'live inside the box' when we need to . . to close out any thoughs of the future . . he is here now, in the moment . . and that is how we live each day. This is not to say that we havn't had some gut wrenching, pretty much primordial crying at times . . but at the end of the day, what good is that. You still need to face the facts, good or bad, and just deal with it. \n\nAfter 8 months of remission, he has recently had two nodules reappear on the dome of the liver between the diaphragm. And, so we begin the fight again.\n\n He starts chemotherapy next week . . on his 19th bi
612908
I've been on it for 15 years because I had toxic shock syndrom in college and did not want a hysterectomy.  I recently discovered from a bone density test that I have thinning bones and am a candidate for osteoperosis.  My OBGYN kicked up my calcium and vitamin D, but it may be too late.  I did gain a little weight, but since I was so under-weight due to the disease, it hasn't bothered me much to gain a few pounds.  Since I cannot have children anyway, I was never told of any problems with miscarriage or defects as a result of being on depro provera for the length of time I have been.
497862
The good news is that breast cancer is very treatable today.  My Mom was diagnosed with Stage IV breast cancer two years ago.  (There is no Stage V)\n\nShe was on a few different kinds of chemotherapy, I remember Taxotere being one of them.  She also took medicines to bind estrogen and androgens since her cancer was estrogen receptor positive.  That is, estrogen feeds the tumors.\n\nOnce the tumor markers were down to a normal level, my Mom then had a lumpectomy and followup radiation.\n\nToday, about 2 years later, my Mom is in remission and cancer free!!  It can happpen!  I hope your relative has a great story to tell too!!
152324
This is a lengthy answer, sorry!\n\nThe chance of the virus being transmitted to the baby is 5-10%. Pregnanacy with Hep C is not officially discouraged.\n\nhttp://www.hepcbc.ca/pregnancy.htm\n\nPregnant patients with hepatitis C should be advised to:\n\nObtain vaccination against hepatitis viruses A and B as indicated. \nAbstain form alcohol use. \nAvoid hepatotoxic drugs such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) that may worsen liver damage. \nInform the infant’s pediatrician of the mother’s hepatitis C status. \nNot donate blood, body organs, other tissue, or semen. \nNot share any personal items that may have blood on them (e.g., toothbrushes and razors). \nDiscuss the low but present risk for transmission with their partner and discuss the need for counseling and testing. However, HCV-positive persons with one long-term, steady sex partner do not need to change their sexual practices. \n\nLiver enzymes and PCR should be obtained at the beginning of pregnancy, and as needed thereafter\n\nThe following recommendations from The Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists of Canada may be helpful in counseling women considering amniocentesis.\n\nSOGC Recommendations \n\n\n“Amniocentesis in women infected with hepatitis C does not appear to significantly increase the risk of vertical transmission, but women should be counseled that very few studies have properly addressed this possibility. \nIn HIV-positive women all noninvasive screening tools should be used prior to considering amniocentesis. \nFor women infected with hepatitis B, hepatitis C, or HIV, the addition of noninvasive methods of prenatal risk screening, such as nuchal translucency, triple screening, and anatomic ultrasound, may help in reducing the age-related risk to a level below the threshold for genetic amniocentesis. \nFor those women infected with hepatitis B, hepatitis C, or HIV who insist on amniocentesis, every effort should be made to avoid inserting the needle through the placenta. “ \n\nDelivery and Postpartum\nThe risk of vertical transmission of HCV appears to be related to the level of viremia in the pregnant mother and not to the route of delivery. The virus does not appear to be transmitted when a woman's titer is < 10^6/mL or is negative. Although Tejari et al and Conte et al did not find cesarean section to be protective against transmission of HCV to the neonate Gibb et al have found the HCV maternal to child (MTC) transmission rate to be reduced in patient delivered by elective cesarean. The latter study has yet to be confirmed. Elective cesarean to reduce MCT transmission of HCV is not presently recommended by the Centers for Disease Control, American Academy of Pediatrics or the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. At delivery staff and the baby’s pediatrician should be notified of the mother’s hepatitis C carrier state.\nBreastfeeding does not appreciably increase the risk of transmitting HCV to a neonate.\n\nhttp://www.perinatology.com/exposures/Infection/HepatitisC.htm
413086
I know how you feel, but there is hope if it turns out to be cnacer. \n\nI am currently in the Bahamas with my Mother who has Terminal Lung Cancer. There is a clinic here that has been in operation for over 30 years. We have been here for 4 of our 8 week stay, everyday is really neat. A lot of the patients stick around in the meeting room/ waiting room to visit, and share stories and catch up. There were 40 people all talking and laughing, talking about cancer and life, the returning patients talk about how bad their cancer was 4, 8, 10 even 18 years ago when they started coming to the clinic, the cancer that has since disappeared. There is nothing dangerous or foreign to the treatment, just building up your immune system in a very effective manner. If you want to know more contact me or go to www.immunemedicine.com I cannot tell you how impressed I am with what I have seen and how my Mother has already improved. I know one man who was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, he skipped all US, conventional (poisonous, dangerous) options and went to the Bahamas and is doing great now. Another man who has been coming here for 18 years that had prostate cancer. People with just about every type of cancer. But, they are honest here, you send them your medical information and they will tell you whether they believe they can help you or not, and they will send you home if they don't think you are benefiting. \n\nMy mom has shown drastic improvements and is feeling so much better. and we are in the Bahamas so we are having a good Mother-Daughter vacation.\n\nI have also done a lot of research on the Cesium Chloride/DMSO treatment and think that it has merit and you can do it at home.\n\nThe clinic here believes that a supplement/liquid called VIBE works really well in addition to other treatments, I am going to look in to that some more.\n\nUS doctors push chemo and radiation, but when you look at the statistics and side effects it is not a good option for most people. My Mom had both before we came here and now that I know more about them and have researched them I feel horrible that I let her go through them. She was lucky (so far) the only long term side effect she has shown is short term memory loss. \n\nThe stories I have heard from the other patients here about how they were treated by US medicine astound me. One lady went home to have a shunt put in her liver so she would be ok to come here, but they refused to put it in unless she agreed to do chemotherapy, is that what our country is about? Denying helpful procedures unless we agree to dangerous, toxic ones? The drug companies run US medicine at least when it comes to cancer treatment and it is sad. Most doctors will tell you not to try alternative medicine and some will refuse to even see you again if you do. To some degree they are not to blame, they have not been taught anything about it other than that it is evil and wrong and they would be rejected by their colleagues if they suggested alternatives.\n\nI would also like to tell you about another lady staying at the house we are staying at, she is 86 years old and has breast cancer. She arrived at the clinic the same day we did and is doing very well. Her immune system continues to improve and she gained 2 pounds since last week. She is absolutely thrilled with this treatment and knows that it is helping her.\n\nThere is another elderly gentleman who just finished his 8-week treatment and is feeling better as he returns home. He has cancer around his optic nerve, but also had diabeties. His daughter said that while he was here on the treatment he needed a lot less insulin than usual. I am NOT claiming that the treatment also helps with diabeties, I am just saying that is what his experience was.\n\nPlease whatever you do, research first. \n\nOne very helpful website is www.cancertutor.com\n\nGood luck!!
372565
So far, I've only survived it once.  But I heard it always comes back.  When I was at radiation, there was a lady there who was on her 6th NHL recurrence.  I had CHOP/R x 6 and 18 radiations. I wish you all the best.\nHere's the site with the best info:\nhttp://www.leukemia-lymphoma.org/hm_lls\nTake care!