Recently Diagnosed and Concerned about Radiation

hopie

Hello,

I was recently diagnosed with IDC- a shock beyond belief.  I am 42 yrs old with no history of breast cancer at all in my family. 

I had a hard time coming to terms with it.  Received a 2nd opinion from a University Center Hospital, which provided a bit more reassurance, but not much.

Good thing is that it was caught early with a 0.7 mm tumor and 0 node involvement during lumpectomy which was done on Jan. 5 this year.

I have been reading through these forums to see if women have similar diagnosis, but there are so many and I really haven't come across many as of yet, but I am sure there must be several - I would love to hear from you.

I was totally against chemotherapy, but I went ahead and submitted to the oncotype testing, which seems like such a raquet, but in any event, I agreed and the score came back low (12) which means a low chance of recurrence which is great and NO chemo!

 Questions I still have:

1) Why if onc score is low and tumor <1cm, the need for radiation at all?  I know they say that the chance of recurrence is significantly reduced (by 40%) -but is this really the case for smaller size tumors?

2) Why does the radiation need to last 6 weeks for a small tumor that is no longer in my body??  I have not seen effective research papers correlating effectiveness of this treatment to tumor size and age of patient. 

3) Seems as if people wait for radiation treatment, whereas my team encouraged me to start about 4-6 weeks following the lumpectomy - is this normal?

I am concerned about the radiation since it is targeted for my left breast.  I don't want any 'collateral damage' to any vital organs!  The team assures me that with the treatment plan they have devised, my heart will be untouched, and lung maybe a bit of scarring.  Still...so, I started the treatments this week - 4 of them - so far, not too much of a difference, except I felt a bit of pain in the upper arm last night and lower arm this morning-not sure what that could be-it seemed to have dissipated.

I have to say - Isn't there a Better way to treat this and avoid radiation and drugs altogether?!! 

If anyone has thoughts on radiation - timing of starting procedure and also linkages between size of tumor and effectiveness of treatment, or know of any great articles, please send my way.

And good luck to you all with the fight - I really have a much better appreciation for life after this trauma.

amoccia53160

Unless I am wrong, a mastectomy is the only way to avoid the radiation if you had no node involvement.  Had many of the same questions myself.  Hope this helps.  xxoo Annette

koshka1

Hi,

Question 1 - Radiation Treatment  - Radiation treatment is for local control within your breast.  It is used to kill any cells that may have been left behind from surgery.  It is standard protocol to have radiation treatment after a lumpectomy as it significantly reduces the risk of the cancer returning to that area.   Chemo is a different ballgame alltogether.  Chemo is used to treat the cancer that may have escaped outside your breast to other parts of your body.  With your tiny tumor, low grade and a low onco score it makes sense that they did not recommend the chemo.

Question 2 - Length of Treatmnet

In the US, there is a standard treatment for Radiation.  It is usually around 25 radiation treatments and 5 boosts to the breast. This is usually around 6 weeks.  The reason they break this up is to give you an adequate dose over a period of time. Ummm..just think about it...can you imagine how you would feel if they gave you a full does in like a week?  

I am in Canada...and we have a shorter protocol here.  I did 16 treatments and 4 boosts to my breast so mine was 4 weeks long.  Both protocols are standard.  This is the choice you make when you get a lumpectomy.  (although, in some cases, radiation is given when you have a mastectomy.

Question 3 - Why Wait?   Normally they like your breast to heal before they start radiation treatment.  I did mine about 5 weeks after the surgery.  Again this is normal.

It sounds that you are under good care and that your doctors are giving you the standard of care.  Sooo..hugs and be strong.  Radiation is easy treatment.  Really just like going in for an xray.  It takes you more time to get dressed and undressed than the treatment itself.

Hugs and Be Strong....Before you know it...it will be over....

Kosh

hopie

Hi, thanks so much for your warm responses.  They help!!