Radiation after chemo after bi-lateral Mastectomy???

andigall

I am very new to this site.    My question is radiation really necessary with only 2 lymph nodes involved? 

I am 43. I had Invasive and in-situ lobular carcinomaI  on my right side.  I chose to have a bi-lateral mastectomy in May. After surgery I was told that my centinal node was clear, only to be told a week later that there was some cancer found and I would have to have more nodes removed.  After the 2nd node disection 1 out of 10 nodes removed tested positive.  So off I went to chemotherapy.   I just finished chemo - (ACT - and in the trial study for Avastin) in December and then had my second reconstructive surgery to replace the temp implants.  My oncologist then suggested I "talk" with a radiation oncologist to hear what she recommended.  Of course, much to my dismay she said that based on meta-analysis of many trials - the "newer" thought process is to give radiation to those with lymph node involvement under 3 nodes.  Because I had 2 (out of 11) - she would recommend radiation of the chest wall.  I was under the impression going into this whole process that under 3 positive nodes  (and a mastectomy) would not need radiation.  Have others been recommended radiation in this instance and declined?  My gut is saying its just overkill and that the statisticts may not necessary apply to my situation.  Would love feedback!

Mykidsmom

Andigall- You may want to post this question in a different forum. Most ladies w/ only LCIS have not had radiation. I hope you have had some answers. Hugs to you!! - Jean

hrf

With ILC and even just a few nodes involved, the current reseach says that rads help even if one has had mx. So I had rads too.