Partial Breast Radiation vs Full Breast Radiation

Cher64

I will be starting radiation soon after having a lumpectomy on Sept. 6, 2017. I have been asked if I would like to participate in a Clinical Trial where they just do partial breast radiation which just focuses on a smaller area of the breast, 5 treatments in 5 days. It does sound tempting, as oppose to the regular full breast radiation where I would go for 16 days for 16 treatments on the full breast. Also, partial breast radiation doesn't effect the surrounding areas of the breast, mainly the heart and lungs. Hard to pick something new when the old way has been done forever. However, this is how we move forward with new treatments I guess. My pathology report came back saying that I was Grade 1, Stage 1, ER+ PR+, HER2-, clear margins and clear lymph nodes and I am at a low risk of a reoccurrence. Just wondering if anyone else has had the partial breast radiation and been happy with the results.

CEL82

I have read about the partial breast trials and would love to know the same thing! I see the RO tomorrow for the 1st time and have it on my list to ask about. All of my original DCIS was in the right lower quadrant of my right breast and just outside of my right breast between my boobs... I had a DMX and implant exchange before my recurrence last month so I'm wondering if this would be better for me? However i definitely don't want another recurrence, i might not be so lucky next time!!

Why is the treatment shorter than the whole breast? It worries me that the treatment wouldn't be as effective with the accelerated time... I Don't know too much about radiation though...

Dianeeo

Hi Cher64, My situation is very similar to yours, I just joined this blog. Wondering if you don’t mind sharing, what did you decide to do

ceanna

Cher64. Sorry to miss your post back in mid-October. Many of us have had partial breast rads using different methods. I have been happy with my choice of using SAVI brachytherapy.

Perhaps by now you've made your choice, but here's some of the threads which have discussed:

https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/70/topics...

https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/70/topics...

https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/70/topics...

https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/70/topics/858036

Please ask if you have any questions.

All the best to those of you considering your options.

Ceanna

Cher64

Hi Dianeeo. I decided to go with the Accelerated Partial Breast Irradiation treatment (ACCEL Trial), which is 5 treatments in 5 days, with a stronger dose of radiation. I did a lot of research on it, talked to a radiation therapist every day for a week, asking him numerous questions regarding this treatment. Not everyone is offered it, you have to have the right pathology report that meets their requirements, mainly being low risk of an reoccurrence. In my case, I had Grade 1, Stage 1, tumor was less than 1 cm, clear margins and clear lymph nodes. I also have a heart condition, mitral-valve prolapse, so would like to avoid any radiation that would come near my heart, since my breast cancer is on the left side. The 16 treatments on full breast is done to a fairly large area. The 5 treatments just radiates the area where the cancer was as well as a 7 mm margin outside that area. Most cancers that come back to the breast occur in the same area as the previous one. My OR felt that the 5 would be the right treatment for me as did the radiation therapist. The women who have chosen this treatment in this area have be very satisfied with the results. Very little side effects with this treatment. The UK has been doing it for 5 years and their latest stats show that there is no difference between the results of the 5 treatments vs 16 treatments. In the end I chose the one I felt was right for me and not to second guess myself. Hopefully it will be the right decision. It was all very overwhelming. My treatments start on Nov. 27th, I will let you know how it goes. Looking forward to getting this part over with.

CEL82

I asked about the accelerated treatments! My RO said he does them for nearly all BC with lumpectomy now, but that he would not recommend it to me bc I have already had my implants placed and the stronger daily dose could make the effects of radiation on them even worse.

Cher64

Hi Ceanna, Thanks for your reply and for the threads you posted. I chose to do the partial breast radiation, which is 1 radiation treatment each day for 5 days. Hopefully, all goes well. I start at the end of November.

ceanna

Cher, all the best to you throughout treatment and beyond. Please keep us updated. Ceanna