Radiation therapy

  Bladder Cancer in 2025: Real Survivor Stories That Will Give You Hope Updated November 2025 • 10-minute read Bladder cancer used to feel like a life sentence. Today — thanks to immunotherapy, early detection, and new targeted drugs — thousands are not just surviving… they’re thriving . Here are three incredible 2025 survivor stories + the latest breakthroughs and warning signs you must never ignore. 1. Mike D. – From Stage 4 to Ironman Finisher at Age 58 “Doctors said 12–18 months. Six years later I crossed an Ironman finish line.” Mike was diagnosed with muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC) in 2019 after painless blood in urine. He underwent radical cystectomy + neobladder reconstruction, then joined a trial combining Keytruda (pembrolizumab) + enfortumab vedotin (Padcev) when it spread to his lungs. Complete response in 2021. In October 2025, he finished Ironman California Ironman — swimming 2.4 miles, biking 112, running 26.2 — cancer...

  Posted on November 14, 2025 |  RadiationTherapyist & Cancer Care Advocate Hey there—if you're reading this, you're likely in the thick of recovery from chemotherapy, feeling that bone-deep exhaustion and muscle fatigue that's all too common two weeks out.  I've seen this in clinics and heard it from survivors. You're not alone, and while nothing replaces your doctor's advice, there are practical, research-backed steps to reclaim some energy. Let's break it down—focusing on supplements, lifestyle tweaks, and when to flag it with your oncologist. Why This Happens: A Quick Science Rundown Chemotherapy targets fast-growing cells (like cancer), but it also zaps healthy ones, leading to cancer-related fatigue (CRF)—a persistent tiredness not fixed by sleep. This can stem from: Anemia: Low red blood cells from chemo, causing oxygen shortages and weakness. Muscle Breakdown (Sarcopenia): Increased protein turnover and inflammation erode muscle mass, amplifying ...

google-site-verification: google7ecaa24efed38e50.html  When someone says “oesophageal cancer,” it can feel like the ground disappears beneath you. The oesophagus—that quiet, muscular tube that carries food from your throat to your stomach—suddenly becomes the centre of worry, appointments, and big decisions. I’ve written this post to help you make sense of it all. Whether you’ve just heard the words “you have cancer,” you’re supporting a loved one, or you’re simply trying to understand the disease, here’s what you need to know—clearly, honestly, and without sugar-coating. What is oesophageal cancer? Oesophageal cancer starts when cells in the lining of the oesophagus grow out of control. There are two main types: Squamous cell carcinoma – more common in the upper and middle oesophagus. Strongly linked to smoking and heavy alcohol use. Adenocarcinoma – usually found in the lower oesophagus near the stomach. The biggest risk factor is long-term acid reflux (GERD) that leads to Barret...

 For years, FLASH ultra-high-dose-rate radiotherapy was confined to research labs in Europe and the US. Last month, Aga Khan University Hospital in Nairobi officially launched East Africa’s first clinical FLASH program using a refurbished linac capable of delivering 100 Gy/s in under 200 ms. Why does this matter? Normal tissues receive 60–80 % less damage compared to conventional fractionation. Treatment time drops from minutes to literal milliseconds—patients barely feel the beam. Early results from the ongoing Phase I trial (20 patients with T1–T2 head-and-neck cancers) show zero Grade 3 skin reactions at 3-month follow-up.

 Keloids are overgrown scar tissue that extends beyond the original wound boundaries. They are common after surgery, burns, piercings, or acne, especially in people with darker skin tones (Fitzpatrick types IV–VI). Radiotherapy is an effective adjuvant treatment to prevent keloid recurrence after surgical excision. How It Works Mechanism: Radiation damages DNA in rapidly dividing fibroblasts, reducing collagen overproduction and inhibiting keloid recurrence. Timing: Usually starts within 24–48 hours after surgical removal of the keloid (the earlier, the better). Modalities: External beam radiotherapy (EBRT): Superficial X-rays or electrons (most common). Brachytherapy: High-dose-rate (HDR) iridium-192 (used for irregular or large areas, e.g., earlobe). Orthovoltage X-rays (50–150 kV) or electron beam (4–8 MeV) are preferred due to shallow penetration. Standard Protocols (Evidence-Based) Most widely used regimen (2023 consensus guidelines): Total dose: 20 Gy in 4 fractions of 5 Gy e...