ANA Discussion Forum

Treatment Options => Radiation / Radiosurgery => Topic started by: windy on October 16, 2008, 03:12:09 pm

Title: Dimpling or pitted places in skin??
Post by: windy on October 16, 2008, 03:12:09 pm
I am a little over two months past GK.  This week I have suddenly developed a large dimpling in my chin.  It is as if the skin is caved in and is permanent.   It is there in a relaxed position and also quite noticeable when I smile.  It is on the right side of my chin which is my AN side.  I also seem to have developed several pitted type places in several areas of my skin.  This has all ocurred this week.  The only way I can describe it as it is if I have moved fast forward several years in a wrinkled, almost acne scarred manner.  Has anyone ever heard of or experienced this?  I am worried that it is permanent.

I fear this is a radiation issue in connection to my skin.  My concern comes from the fact that I was advised by one radiation oncologist that people with systemic diseases (which is my case) do not handle radiation well.  They react abnormally.  All physicians I communicated with which was quite a large number, discounted what he said.  They said that pertained to large radiation only.  My fear is he may be correct.  I have an appt with my dermatologist scheduled for next week.  Right now, I am fearful and feel depressed about this latest occurrence.  If you can offer any insight to this problem it would be greatly appreciated.  Thank you! 
Title: Re: Dimpling or pitted places in skin??
Post by: Kaybo on October 16, 2008, 03:20:13 pm
Windy~
I think that the dimple in the chin is very common.  I don't think mine showed up until after the last surgery (T3) but then again, I didn't really have much movement until then.  I have not heard about the other "pitted" places, but I am sure someone else will have more to say.  Keep that dimpled chin up!!

K
Title: Re: Dimpling or pitted places in skin??
Post by: windy on October 17, 2008, 06:15:20 pm
Thanks for the reply Kaybo!  Based on the fact that you are my only reply, I suspect I am a "rare breed" in the AN radiosurgery world. This is good news for the others.  I think I have reacted more like a traditional surgical patient, in some ways.  Again, I appreciate your reply.
Title: Re: Dimpling or pitted places in skin??
Post by: sgerrard on October 17, 2008, 09:29:16 pm
Hi Windy,

Sorry to hear about the latest development. I suspect the oncologists who said you would not have a reaction were basing that on the fact that AN radiation is very localized, so that only the tumor gets a high exposure. I don't know what sort of systemic disease you may have, and wouldn't know much about it if you told me, but I do think that radiation of a small area like an AN can still trigger some kind of reaction. Inflammation around the AN could cause strange effects elsewhere, for instance.

I suspect that the best you can do is consult with the dermatologist, and treat it however possible. I hope it is not a serious problem and that you can get some help with it.

Steve