Can you get Radiation twice?

jmf424

Hi all! Just looking for some thoughts! This is my 2nd dx of breast cancer, the 1st being 18 years ago at the age of 29. I had AC followed by Taxol for 12 weeks. The neuropathy seems to have gotten worse since! I had bilateral mastectomy in Sept and waited almost 2 weeks for pathology. I was totally shocked to find lymphovascular invasion and skin involvement!! So they want me to have radiation! I started last week...they are doing the entire chest wall in two separate fields and have me all marked up with sharpies. They won't let me wash it off or use lotion! I thought you shouldn't get radiation twice? And what about my skin? It is already swollen, bumpy, and hard with lymphadema! I am miserable with fear!

LuvRVing

I had radiation twice...the first time was Mammosite (brachytherapy) in July 2010 and the second time was the full external radiation last December.  Alot depends on how much you got the first time.

coffee4me

My surgeon told me that if you have radiation on your right breast, you can never get it again on same breast (right). You could have it on left, but never again on right.

CelineFlower

why?

Binney4

jmf, do you have a good lymphedema therapist? You'll need excellent care to keep the lymphedema in good control throughout rads. If you don't have good care, I'd be happy to help you find the help you need. Tell me how I can help.

Gentle hugs,
Binney

jmf424

Binney, No I do not! I have looked into it and there are actually two in my area. I have been reading up on it and I thought it was supposed to be put on hold till the end!? So confused now! I get rads today at noon so will be asking for sure! My chest seems even harder this morning than when I went to bed and there are some very painful areas. Ugh! Trying to be positive.....thanks for your thoughts!

Momine

JMF, no, do not wait. You especially want a lymphedema therapsit during and right after radiation. This is an area where being pro-active can really pay off.

Binney4

jmf, good for you! You're right that the area being radiated can't be directly massaged during rads, but the rest of your affected quadrant can be, and that will stimulate the lymph flow in the chest area as well. Also, good care can help prevent swelling from moving into your arm.

Some strategies that might help include staying REALLY well hydrated (helps dilute the lymph fluid and keep it moving) and to pause throughout the day to take a few deep, abdominal breaths (stimulates the largest lymph vessel in our bodies). Here's information about how to find a well-trained lymphedema therapist, including questions you can ask her/him even before your appointment.
http://www.stepup-speakout.org/Finding_a_Qualified_Lymphedema_Therapist.htm

Please feel welcome to join the "swell" Sisters on the Lymphedema board here for more information and some much-needed encouragement--none of this is easy!

Gentle hugs,
Binney

CelineFlower

swell sisters... thats.. cute lol

love u ladies...

cnewberry55

Any answers to this question?

Misstic

I had skin involvement like you. My RO, a total ass**le, forgot to do radiation on all the zone I needed (where the cancer was discover). I received the max dose on my heart (because I had internal mammary chain radiation) so I can't do RT anymore even there is a highly risk that i have cancer cells left in my skin.

rubyredslippers

I have had it twice. But there was only something like a 1% area where there was overlap. I was told that you can't have it twice to the same area, but for the tiny part that overlaps, my RO said that he considers the benefit of it for me outweighed the risk. So, I've had it twice, but the two areas kind of meet, and I didnt have it twice to the same area.Coffee4me, that's right.