Has anyone used internal radiation?

ndgrrl

This coming Friday I will be having surgery to insert the Contura Balloon into my breast for internal radiation.  Has anyone else had this? I have yet to find someone who has and it concerns me. I am scared

Moderators

Hi ndgrrl!

Until other members come along to post with their own experiences you can read about Internal Radiation in our main site, also called partial-breast radiation or brachytherapy.

There´s also a topic under this same forum that you may find interesting. It is called Experience with Brachytherapy. There you´ll find other members that had this type of radiation. We hope this helps.

Thinking of you, and wishing you the best of luck for Friday´s surgery. 

---The Mods

savgigi

 ndgrrl, I had the Intrabeam intraoperative radiation in Feb. April485 may have had something similar to what you are talking about. PM her and ask.

ndgrrl

TY Savgigi

auntienance

I had brachytherapy. It was pretty easy and painless. What are your concerns?

ndgrrl

Hi, Its hard to find anyone who has had it- that is one of my concerns is I didnt know what to expect.  Any side effects. I am worried about healing afterwards?  Did it hurt when they put it in?  I have heard infections can happen?  Also was it horribly uncomfy to have those tubes hanging out for that week?  I have been lookign for loose shirts to pack.

Thanks for the reply

fifthyear

I had mammosite, five days, 2x/day. Aside from tireness, I went through it pretty ok. Minimal impact on skin, some redness which stays, around the incision where they inserted the balloon. For me, it was the best choice. Wish you the best of luck.

auntienance

The side effects I had were a nasty rash from the tape adhesive and a seroma that caused me no pain. Seromas are not uncommon with the procedure and they can take a long time to go away. I had no pain putting it in or taking it out. The catheter is a nuisance and you have to wear a bra 24/7. No showers was the worst for me. My husband wrapped me in saran wrap so I could sit in 6 inches of water in a bathtub at least. I had no fatigue at all. Really, for me it was the easiest part of this whole thing.

auntienance

Ndgrrl, a sports type bra works best. They gave me something called a surgical vest which was great because it hooked in the front. It was fairly comfortable and held the catheter flat. It was not noticeable under my clothes but I'm fairly large breasted and I don't wear tight knit shirts.

ndgrrl

Thanks for the answers.  The doctor did say they were going to get me some kind of bra from the plastic surgery dept.  Ya the no showers thing really does worry me and trying to figure out how to wash my hair.  I have the type of hair you have to wet down every day or I look like a giant tumble weed!!

I have heard about Seromas with this. I read about massaging them? What can be done to get rid of  it?

Fifth and Auntien- thanks for the answers. What made you decide on internal instead of external. Seems more people are doing the external.  They told me I am a good candidate for internal. Because of where my tumor was, breast size, cancer stage etc..

Thank you.

auntienance

ndgrrl, I did the internal because it was offerred and I was a good candidate.  I live a good distance away from the treatment center and the thought of being finished in a week instead of 12 appealed to me. There might not be as many posts here about it because there are fewer side effects. The studies that came out a year or so ago questioning the effectiveness of brachytherapy no doubt influenced some to choose external also, although the data used in those studies has since been challenged. At any rate, it suited me and I would do it again.

There's not much to be done about seromas. If they are painful, they can be drained, but they tend to fill up again. Some women do have them drained (some more than once). Mine did not hurt at all and so was left alone to be absorbed. I have read that some have been advised to massage. I did not. Be aware, that although they are not uncommon, not every patient gets one.

You do have to be careful about infection, but your treatment staff will be pretty vigilant. I think I got antibiotics after it was put in, but I'm not sure I'm remembering that correctly. It will be well bandaged and the tightness of the bra will hold the catheter and bandage in place. 

I have wash-every-day hair too and I washed it in the sink with a sprayer. It was easy for me because my hair is very short. I imagine longer hair would be more of a hassle, but for me it was less of a hassle than 3-6 weeks of daily radiation and the potential side effects.

You will have a run through and a set up session before your treatments start, so you will find out what to expect. It's a piece of cake.

I'm happy to share my experience with you if you have specific questions, so feel free to ask, otherwise, good luck Friday!

ndgrrl

Hi had surgery to insert the bracytherapy balloon today. I was only sedated though I can not remember much of anything. I woke up in a really supportive bra which is a good thing as it keep everything tight.

I had my first CT scan today and they said its in there and fits great.  They showed me and my DH how to bandage it and keep it dry. 

I am really not in a lot of pain, just very sleepy yet from the procedure and the long drive home.

Treatments will start this Monday to Friday - twice  day.  Keeping fingers crossed that I do not get infection as I did not receive anything. But they told me to call if I noticed anything.

Thank you for your help.