radiation before surgery???

lorieg

I was diagnosed with IBC in August of 2009.  I have had 4 rounds of AC and 4 rounds of DD Taxol with Herceptin.  Althought the color improved my entire breast is still very firm.  I am going to have PE t+/- breast MRI next, but my oncologist thinks our best bet may be to do radiation to shrink the tumor (although he says it may be full of scar tissue) prior to surgery.  I also developed a minimal amount redness and pain again in the last two weeks which had previously resolved. 

Has anyone else had radiation prior to surgery for this reason and if so, what was the result? I am nervous about being off of chemo with the possibility of a huge amount of cancer in this breast. I think I may need more neoadjunctive chemo, but he says radiation is a better choice.  I am ER+ and will be starting tamoxifen in 2 weeks and changing to every 3 weeks Herceptin.

Thanks so much!!

tigerkanga

Hi Lori,

Sorry I cant help, as I had surgery prior to chemo, radiation to start when chemo ends early next year. If your worried about treatment options seek a second opinion, as you need to be happy with your treatments direction.

Your in my prayers

Anne

Caseysmom

Lori:

I too had surgery prior to rads I agree with Ann about seeking a second opinion.  Also talk to the rad onc to see what he/she says.  If the rad onc does not think its a good idea to take tamoxifen while going through rads he/she can talk to your medical onc.

Hugs

Laura

lorieg

Thanks, everyone.  I have made contact at MDA and am hoping to get down there for a second opinion in the next two weeks if at all possible.  I appreciate the responses!