how long does a compression fracture take to heal and how much does radiation help?

They don’t. By the time you have bone mets you are no longer healing.

Radiation slows it down and helps with pain.

Why would you listen to the one wrong answer?

@ April compression fractures are caused by bone mets and they are usually very painful. Cheno will help with bone mets that respond well to chemo, but radiation is more direct and quicker.

No it will not make more happen. It does slow the process, but a lot depends on the type of cancer. Radiation is typically used without chemo for prostate cancer where both is used with lung cancer.

I have a friend with stage 4 lung cancer and her bone mets were so bad she could not sit for long without pain. The chemo and radiation has allowed her to be functional far longer than expected and gave her some really good days.

Both chemo and radiation tend to slow the healing process.

Usually about 6 weeks for a fracture to heal when there are no complications.

That's what I was thinking!! WHY would you have radiation treatment for a fracture?

@ Denise ooohhhhhh I just assumed the question was about a compression fracture and was in the wrong forum. I stand..... corrected?

Radiation won't help a compression fracture to heal, it'll slow it down and is a frequent cause of them

Radiation does not help, it hurts. It damages bone and can greatly delay or prevent healing.