How much % benefit were you told with doing radiation?

minatabo

Hello all,

Has anyone come across a tool that calculates the benefit of radiation in reducing risk of local recurrence? I've been trying to look in articles/ on this forum on what some radiation oncologist say about these numbers but the range varies a lot.

What did your RO tell you the % benefit with radiation is? Is that on just local recurrence risk or overall survival?

I've also read in some articles that the overall survival rate with lumpectomy + radiation vs. mastectomy is the same. If that's the case, wouldn't the least invasive approach/surgery be less harsh on the body?

Much appreciate everyone's input.

Minatabo

TB90

Hello Minatabo: I had the very unusual situation of considering radiation even after having a mx. This was due to a focal point of positive margin remaining. My estimated numbers were that I now had a 13% chance of a local recurrence instead of the typical 1 or 2% that usually is quoted after a mx. By having radiation, my RO stated that the risk of a local recurrence was reduced by 50%, so down to say 7%. It was an extremely difficult decision for me and no right or wrong answer. But it had no effect on overall survival from original dx. And you are correct, lx with rads has a similar survival rate to mx. This was particular to my dx of DCIS, so numbers might vary a bit. Please consult with an RO about your specific situation. All the best!

Kayla250

I was told that chance of recurrence for lumpectomy +radiation was the same as mastectomy about 4-5%. After chemo and how poorly I did on that (side effects), I just didn't have it in me to complete the radiation. Long story short the RO said the chance of recurrence went from 5% to 30-40% lumpectomy no radiation. Unfortunately, 3 years later, I am now in recurrence.

Kicks

I was not ever given so called '%'. Nor do '%' matter to me. My personal %s are just that mine - 0% or 100%. Either I will have a recurrence/mets or I won't. Not some %/part of me. Either/or - I will have to deal with it IF ever needed. We are each unique.

The '%' are a complication that are 'totals' for everyone used in a 'study' - not anything to do with any of us individually.

Glad I didn't choose to 'believe' the gloom and doom of %/stats - I have been dead 6 yrs ago instead of being 7+ yrs post IBC DX and still (as far as I know today/no reason to think otherwise) still NED. I did do all the TXs that were offered to me. To me, how could I have faced Hubby and Son IF there had been a reoccurane or mets and I hadn't done all that was offered to fight the Monster! By we each have our free agency and need to do what we individually choose.

Annette47

I was told on average a 50% reduction and that after the lumpectomy my risk of local recurrence was about 30%, so the radiation took it down to 15%.

Radiation really only helps prevent local recurrences as cells that have already left the breast wouldn’t be affected. It could indirectly help with distant spread by preventing a local recurrence that then spreads, but if the initial cancer has spread, radiation wouldn’t do anything about that.

As Kicks says though, the 50% number is just an average, as was (I suspect) the 30% I was given. That doesn’t mean it doesn’t give you a rough idea, jus that it might not be exactly the same in your individual case.

ceanna

Minatabo,

There is one tool for radiation for older BC patients (over 65) that MDAnderson has on their website. They state it has NOT been validated so use with that in mind.

http://www3.mdanderson.org/app/medcalc/bc_nomogram5/index.cfm?pagename=opcs

They also have other calculators for BC treatments but they don't include radiation

https://www.mdanderson.org/for-physicians/clinical-tools-resources/clinical-calculators.html

All the best.

TB90

It is not just about your personal experience or we would never be able to make best decisions. It is also about the odds, lets face it! If you had a choice to choose 75% recurrence probability or 1% recurrence probability, what would be your choice? I could choose the 75% and not have a recurrence and the recur with the 1% option. But who would not go the other route? Honestly.