Skip radiation???

jashauer

Did any of you with triple negative skip radiation?  I had a BMX partially b/c I was told I probably would need no further treatment.  (I did 4 AC & 4 taxol before surgery & am 38.)  Anyway, had 2 lymph nodes affected & now my oncologist just recommended radiation.  I am having a hard time deciding.  All my tests came back cancer free.  So she recommended as preventative.  However, I am questioning whether I want to put my body thru radiation as that is lifelong consequences.  Any thoughts?  Thanks.

Luah

Since you ask, no I would not skip rads with a largish tumour, TN and two nodes involved. You could seek a second onc's opinion, but if the recommendation stands, be assured that rads are competely doable. And let's face it, if they prevent a recurrence... that has lifelong consequences too.

Suze35

jashauer - I responded in your other thread. I believe you also stated that you had residual disease after chemo and would be doing more chemo...? I agree with Luah in that I personally would not skip radiation, particularly if the two nodes were positive AFTER chemo. The following article suggests a decrease in mets when radiation is used:



http://www.breastcancer.org/treatment/radiation/new_research/20110606.jsp



It is a personal decision. Please take the time to get another opinion and research. Then you can feel like you've made the best decision for you. Talk with your doctor honestly about your concerns with side effects and long term issues, so that you truly weigh the pros and cons.

christina1961

jashauer, you have received some really good advice. Like Suze suggests, take the time to come to the decision yourself, though.  All I can say is what I've decided for myself.

I have some residual disease following my chemo which ended last month (6 rounds of TAC.)  I am about a week out from my unilateral MX;  they found a 2 x 1.7 x 1.3 cm tumor (but an unknown portion of it was DCIS) and two affected lymph nodes. It was about a 40% reduction in size from original tumor 2.5 x 2.3 x 1.3.

  I am not only signing up for radiation based on the research I've done which shows a benefit for women with 1-3 pos nodes, but I am also looking into the possibility of getting into a clinical trial with carboplatin and parp inhibitor that would require me to travel six hrs round trip once a week.   I want to do all I can the first time when the cancer is hopefully vulnerable than try to fight it later. My concerns about risks with the radiation (and my left side is the affected side) is much less than my concerns about another complete round of chemo (I already have neuropathy with left hand and face).  I plan to have reconstruction as soon as possible (probably lat flap);  the photos that my plastic surgeon has of reconstructed breasts with lat flap following radiation look great.

kathy1308

Rad is the easiest thing to do. I would not skip it.

Damaris51270

Rad is easy don't skip it it can lessen the chances of the cancer coming back.

ruthbru

I cried tears of joy when I got to radiation! Compared to chemo it was a piece of cake.

tninalabama

I did not respond to radiation. I had it last Sept./Oct. and in November had an axillary node ( that was supposed to have been removed in July '10and was hit with rads), as well as a hilar node( also hit with rads).  However everyone responds differently and you should do everything possible to ward off any recurrence. Forgive me for being just a little bitter. Best of luck to you!!!!!!

Titan

I'm tn and did not skip rads..but I had a lumpectomy...not a bmx...maybe someone will come on here that did...but I would actually be surprised if there are very many.

livinglarge

I actually skipped rad.  My onc was on the fence and had me speak with a rad specialist.  I had a BMX and the 8 chemos probably like the rest of you but after the rad went through all the reports he said the benefit would be so small he would not recommend me doing rad.  

Everyone is different even though we are all TN.  I was fortunate to have what they called a complete response to the chemo which is why the BS actually recommended I not have rad but the onc just wanted the rad dr to weigh in.

I think this is a critical decision and you need to get enough information as possible and then go see a rad (or even two) and get there opinion.