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