Possible rads to neck

sharalou

HELP! Have a tumor(same as breast), that was biopsied last week. Having pet scan on Monday, hopefully surgery then rads.  Anyone have rads for supraclavicular nodule? PLEASE contact me.

Shari 

ProudMom_Wife

sharalou - I will be having Rads to the supraclavical beginning May 16th due to 2 positive lymph nodes in my axilla.  So I don't have any experience with it yet.  My RO said that the process for the supraclavical rads is just about the same as for lymphoma patients, and that the angle he will treat me with should have little impact on my thyroid.  Hopefully that is true.  I know my situation is different from yours, but I hope this little bit of info is helpful.  

Sending {{{HUGS}}}, good thoughts, prayers and vibes your way for good test results.

Megadotz

I had supraclavical radiation in addition to full breast radiation due to positive a positive axillary node in Fall 2009.   It was along the collarbone midway between the breast bone and the shoulder.  It was for  25 sessions, ending before the boost.  It had more severe skin reaction than the breast area, the scar got that burned after the boost.  The radiation onc said that the reason it had a more severe reaction because the area was less fleshy (lumpectomy on largish breast).

I know this is different from your situation, but figured even this small bit of info might help.

 Many hugs and good wishes coming your way for  good test results.

sharalou

Thanks for all your responses.  Going for simulation on Wed.  SHIT!.  I think I am getting 5 weeks too!  The rad. onc. said it should make this mass smaller!!!

Leah_S

Sharalou, best of luck with the rads.

Leah

Suze35

Shari - I am in the middle of rads for four fields, including my supraclavicular nodes.  One of my supra nodes is cancerous (we assume, no biopsy) because it ever so slightly showed up on my PET in April and is palpable.  After 13 days of rads, it is significantly decreased, smaller than when I first noticed it.  I know your new pathology is TN, which is me too.  Hang in there - my MO and RO still consider me on a "curative path."

sharalou

What is TN?  So you didn't have surgery on the palpable area?

Suze35

Shari - TN is triple negative - I think I confused you with someone else, I'm sorry! 

No surgery for me, the node is pretty small and hard to reach.  Just radiation and low dose chemo starting after rads.  I got a second opinion from Dana Farber about it, and that is what they recommended.  I'll have a PET scan in mid-August, so if we see anything still there, I'll push my BS further.

sharalou

Hi Suze-worry i sent you another message. Just realized you responded a while ago, about the area getting smaller.

stage1

I am starting rads next week.  Should I be concerned about radiation scatter, like to the thyroid?

cycle-path

stage1: the radiation oncologist will almost certainly tell you not to be concerned. There was a long discussion about that issue here: http://community.breastcancer.org/forum/70/topic/762816. The consensus was -- 1) yes, you should be concerned, 2) the radiation oncologist will probably downplay your concern and may even make fun of you 3) you can insist on a lead shield.

If the doctor says s/he won't give you a lead shield, find a doctor who WILL.