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View Full Version : After-effects of chemo- and radiotherapy.


Annemieke
Sep 9, 2011, 02:58 AM
The doctor told me that after-effects of chemotherapy get less over time, whereas after-effects of radiotherapy get worse. Why is this? I had both forms of therapy, for cervical cancer.
Could it be because radiotherapy causes malabsorption of vitamins, which in some cases, like vitamin A and vitamin B12 (of which we have a large stock) only shows after years?
Thank you! A. Wigmore,

joypulv
Sep 9, 2011, 03:28 AM
Because radiation is localized the long term affects are mostly scarring/fibrosis of surrounding blood vessels, tissue, and lymph glands. Treatment in the pelvic region can cause bowel problems like diarrhea. There is a minuscule risk of cancer again 20-30 years after radiation.
Vitamin A and most of the others are absorbed in the small intestine, but the large intestine does absorb B12, thiamine, riboflavin and the all important and often overlooked K.

(I looked at your recipes, very nice.)