Choosing between Contura Treatment and External Radiation

krlinden

I was diagnosed in Dec 2012 with breast cancer.  I've had surgery on Jan 3 and saw my oncologists today.  The radiation oncologist gave me an option of the balloon/MammoSite treatment or total breast external radiation.  I would like to hear from others on this subject.  He said I was a very good candidate for the balloon if that's what I decide.  I am meeting with the surgeon to discuss this treatment next week but want to hear from others who have actually had one or the other.

ej01

There is a thread on the DCIS board aout MammoSite and the side effects that some people have experienced.  It might be good to review that. (you might need to scroll through a couple of pages to get to it.  

BilateralBeauties

I was 43 at time of treatment. My ROs philosophy was women who get mammosite pay with their lives. At my age he would not consider it. Another RO told me if they do it they generally place at time of lumpectomy, but he also would not do for a young woman. I have posted about this before, so hopefully you can find some of these threads. External Beam is still the gold standard. I know a woman who had it at 84 and she is still going at 91. Good luck.

Krackr26

I was diagnosed 11/2012 and had lumpectomy in Nov. and contura balloon radiation in Dec. So far I am very happy with my decision. Balloon insertion was done a couple of weeks after surgery in the surgeon's office. Other than the needle pricks to numb the area, it was painless and I did not need pain medication afterward. Went to the radiation site the next day (Friday) for a cat scan to make sure everything was in place, which it was. Radiation was Monday through Friday the next week at 8:00 am and 2:00 pm. Quick cat scan each morning - visits were short and was never there more than an hour. There was no pain - I would say the balloon was uncomfortable, and not being able to shower for nine days wasn't great, but completing radiation so quickly was wonderful. The radiation oncologist did a great job removing the balloon, which was done after the final treatment. He just massaged and played with it a bit and pulled it right out - it was over in no time. From my experience I would recommend this type of radiation as long as your doctors are very experienced. /p>