Radiation positioning

newbee

This may be an odd topic but after I have lumpectomy this next week, I would like to find a radiation center which only rads the breast. If you have breasts that hang away from your body...why wouldnt you demand to have radiation given that way rather than flat on your back. It is nearly impossible not to hit your ribs lungs etc when on your back. Anyone hear of any progressive positioning which has the pt lying face down with the breast hanging? Makes all kinds of sense to me! Concerned about what this will do to my body...

Annette47

I am having my rads in the prone position (what it's called when you lay on your stomach).   If you can find a center that offers it, I would highly recommend it if it is suitable for you - not everyone is a candidate.  First of all, you need to have large enough breasts, but also, my RO told me that for some people, when they lay in the prone position, their heart falls into their chest and gets in the way.   There is still some exposure to ribs, lungs, and heart, but less than in the supine (laying on back) position.

At my center, the RO had me do a CT simulation in the prone position to see if it would work, and fortunately it did, although for my boosts I will be in a different position.   Had it not worked, they would most likely have done it in the supine position.

newbee

I will be doing prone radiation for 3 weeks, 5 times a day...10 years studies show same results as with radiation of 6-7 weeks, but with 3 weeks 25% less side effects. Can anyone help me understand if they have had a shorter course and if fatigue is a bigger factor due to higher dose, shorter course. Does everyone get wiped out with radiaion?  So glad I researched newest proven techniques....Thanks!