Radiation a second time

Chloe2

I am interested in hearing from women who have had whole breast radiation twice, I am wondering if I am in the minority. I had DCIS four years ago with radiation on the right side, and just had a lumpectomy on the left side for DCIS again

Thank you in advance!

Petrea

Hi, I've had radiation once back in 2005 and now had a recurrence December 2016. They can't operate this time so my oncologist wanted me to talk to the radiation oncologist; however he says he's radiated the area before and won't do it again unless absolutely necessary. Wants to see how chemo goes and only has a small safe dose left he can give me if the chemo doesn't work. It's in my lymph nodes supraclavicular and internal mammary. First time around you don't understand as much and no-one told me they couldn't radiate the same area twice. Whatever happens I'm glad I did as much as I could first time around as I have no regrets and I've had 12 years of good health.

At least you've got two primaries and not a recurrence. Good luck with you second lot of radiotherapy.

Chloe2

Thank you, and good luck to you too!

cindyanne

I am about to undergo radiation for the second time in the exact same breast......they are even using my old tattoos. I was diagnosed in 2002 with a small ER+ tumor and had a lumpectomy, a lymph node dissection and radiation. This time the tumor was 6cm grade 3 and HER2+ with extensive lymphovascular invasion. I had a dmx--completed my 6 rounds of TCHP and will now continue with 12 more rounds of Herceptin only. The radiation is being done again due to the large size of the tumor and the high grade. We are also including all of the lymph nodes....Mammory and superclavical?--whatever. The reason for all the nodes is because I previously had a lymph node dissection so no one really knows where the lymph fluid goes after that. Yes it is higher risk but so wasn't my cancer.......need to do everything possible.

Chloe2

Cindyanne I am so sorry that you are having to go through this. It sounds like they have put an aggressive plan of attack together for you so you will be doing everything possible.