Rads-MammoSite Implant anyone?

RMlulu

Hey!

Working on my questions for pre-op with BS. Has anyone had lump & MammoSite Implant? Like idea of 1 wk rad internal rather than 6 wk external. Any feedback... I don't want long rad treatment or skin damage & want to get on Down the Road...thx

GeorgiaMom

I had a lumpectomy last January and Mammosite in February. It went very well for me and I have not had a single complication. If I had to make the decision again I wouldn't change a thing. Make sure you do your research to make sure you're a good candidate. I had a small tumor, clean margins and clear nodes. I also had an excellent surgeon who had performed hundreds of them. I was 47 at the time and it is recommended for women over 60 and cautionary for women in their 50's. That was the only part that worried me. Since all the other criteria fit and seemed more important I decided to go for it.

It is not an easy week. The catheter is uncomfortable and you can't shower at all during that time. Twice a day treatments were tough but I was always in and out in less than an hour and I never missed work. I was fatigued by the end but ecstatic when they removed it. It was so nice to have it completed in such a short time, especially because I ended up doing chemo.

I have read of many people who have had problems with seromas and if it gets infected it can be a nightmare. My dr. prescribed an antibiotic during treatment to be on the safe side. Please make sure you have a great doctor. My procedure went so smoothly that the radiologist who does my mammos could not even tell I had done internal radiation.

Good luck with your decision and feel free to PM me if you have any questions!

BilateralBeauties

Is MammoSite the same as Brachy? I asked about Brachy and my RO was very firm that that 33 rads is the gold standard. Anything less brings too much risk of reoccurance. He especially wouldn't consider it as I was in my early 40s. Standard for me.