Hypofractional Whole Breast Irradiation

Cindr

Hi Stage 1 Sisters,

Has anyone had Hypofractional Whole Breast Irradiation?? If so, can you please tell me your what your experience was like and any side effects you had? Still trying to make a decision on my trastment and leaving against Accelerated Partial Breast Irradiation? Thank you for your help!

Cind

Ingerp

The "hypofractionated" only means you'd be on the quicker schedule, right? It's usually 20 vs. 33 treatments, with the same total amount of radiation. I had 20 in 2016 but had to do the 33 last year because post-chemo your skin is more sensitive. SEs of both are usually not bad--some skin issues, and I had 2-3 days of fatigue, but that wasn't bad either. There are lots of threads for women starting radiation--usually a new one every month. You might look back at those to see about various women's experiences/suggestions.

Cindr

Thank you for your post!! It’s very helpful.

kec1972

I’m having it right now. Just completed 14/21 total treatments; 16 whole breast, then 5 boosts to the tumor bed. Breast skin is definitely getting tan, my nipple is super sore and sensitive, no fatigue. Just doing lots of lotioning, hydrating, and drinking a plant based protein shake after each treatment. Good luck

Cowgirl13

It was great. I only had about 20 sessions and my skin was fine. Go for it!

Marymc86

I had hypofractionated whole breast radiation. I had 19 sessions and the last 4 were boost doses. I had very little skin reaction at all. I got an itchy rash the week afterward. It wasn’t all that bad and was back to normal within two weeks after. Fatigue was the biggest thing, but it wasn’t unmanageable.

VLH

I had 16 treatments. The Radiation Oncologist would have normally wanted to do four boost doses to the tumor bed as others have mentioned, but chose to forego that because I had major reduction surgery. Besides the short term burned skin (like a sunburn) and fatigue, my areola is shriveled and the skin on my breast and chest is mottled and has a rougher texture.

I hope all goes smoothly with your treatment plan!

Salamandra

I had hypo whole breast plus boosts.

I got skin reddening and sensitivity and fatigue almost right away, but they stayed stable throughout and did not get much worse than they started.

I did take off work for the treatment. I was able to keep bicycling back and forth for treatment, but did not have the mental/emotional/physical stamina for working and commuting for treatment.

My cosmetic results are fine so far (I'm 2.5 months out). My breast still feels a little warmer than the other one and bras are a little more annoying. But most days I don't even think about it.

kec1972

would anyone mind sharing what the boosts are like? I have 2 more whole breast treatments, then 5 days of boosts

Elephant

kec1972 - I have 5 boosts coming up, starting today; I am also very curious as to what these are like - I can let you know after my first one later today.

Ingerp

Boosts are easier than the whole breast--shorter zaps, although it may take a while to adjust the equipment with the stencil of your particular tumor bed shape. The good news is the rest of your skin will start healing while they're going on. The really good news is you're almost done!!

kec1972

Thanks Ingerp! So happy to know my poor nipple will be getting a reprieve during the boosts

Ingerp

I always got a burst of energy/mood improvement when it was boost time. Light at the end of the tunnel!!

Cindr

Thank you everyone for your replies!! So helpful and encouraging. More appointments this week. Sentinel node surgery on Wednesday, praying my nodes are clear. Second opinion with R on Friday. And then onward to treatment!!! Love all you girls!!!

Elephant

I had my first out of five boosts today and it seems to take the same amount of time that the full breast treatment took - it was not very long. It was a different type of machine and they had me lying a little differently. I don't know yet if the boosts will affect my skin and make it go red, which the whole breast treatment did not do. But wow, when you can to the boosts, the end is really in sight !!

jessie123

An article on this website posted clinical trial results which showed less side effects with hypofractional radiation. I'm going to use it.. Now just need to look into the prone board

Cowgirl13

Jessie, you will be so happy you did. I didn't have any side effects. My appointments were all scheduled for 10:30 am and then it was off to move into my day. Good thoughts for you!

Cindr

Hi Jessie, pretty new at this board so just wondering where I would find that article. Thanks for bringing to my attention. What are you meaning by the prone board?? 😳Thanks!!

jessie123

Cindr --- regular breast radiation on your back can cause lung damage and if your breast cancer is on your left it can also cause heart damage ( your heart is behind your left breast) Sometimes the damage doesn't show up for years. Now there is a new type of breast radiation where you lay on your stomach and your breast (the one with cancer) hangs down through a hole --- like the MRI. It is supposed to be much safer as there is much less or no radiation exposure to your heart or lung. Not all facilities have it, so when you're choosing where you want to have your treatment make sure to ask if they have the prone position for radiation. Only two hospitals in my city have it.

For the hypo fractional radiation on this site you should be able to find it if you type it into the search box. That's how I found it. If we have to do this we might as well go for "the best" (-:

jessie123

Cowgirl13 -- Thanks -- that takes some of my constant worry away. I was sure I would die in surgery, but I'm still here and never even had any pain. Now the radiation and I don't even know if I'll need chemo yet -- my oncoscore isn't back yet. It's nice to know radiation will be fine.

Cindr

Hi Sweet Girls,

I finally have a plan!! Had two lymph nodes removed three weeks ago and had major seroma issues. But I think it’s finally going away. For me, getting back to my body pump and Zumba classes really helped!

Starting RADS on Monday, April 8th!! Excited to get this journey started/over yet also nervous about what this will do to my body. 😬 I have to do Deep inspiration Breath Hold and I’m still a little nervous about what this will be doing to my lungs? Seems to me if you take a deep breath your lungs are closer to the radiation field, granted it protects your heart but does it also protect your lungs?

None the less, I am excited to get started! It’s been a long road.

Starting Femera after RADS. I think I’m even more nervous about that! But one step at a time.

Praying Everyone is doing well. Really appreciate everyone’s support. Sometimes it’s time for my husband to understand the emotional side of this, although he’s been very supportive.

Blessings to all of you,

Cindr

kec1972

Hi Cindr, I had to do the breath hold too. It does seem that more of the lung would be in the field if your lungs are inflated. I did find a couple of articles that said it protects heart and lungs; I understand how it may protect the heart, but I don't know about protecting the lungs. For me, it's done with and too late to worry about it now!

jessie123

I think the breath holding just protects the heart --- Will find out Monday when I start and let you know.

Cindr

Hi Kec1972,

Did you start hormone inhibitors after RADS? I’m supposed to start after I’m finished with RADS and dreading it!! 😩

Thanks Jessie!! I’m starting radiation in Monday too- 15 treatments, no boost! I’ll be asking the text about my lungs also! Let’s keep in touch!!

XXOO

Cindr

kec1972

Thanks Jessie! Please do let ya know.

Hi Cindr, my onc said to start 2-3 weeks after rads. Next Wednesday will be 3 weeks, so that’s my start date. I’m dreading it as well! Starting on 10mg tamoxifen for 2 weeks, then going up to 20. I’m not a pill taker, have never even taken Advil, so I’m really not happy

jessie123

Cindr --- do you know why you won't be having the boost? My RO talked about me not having the boosts, but I didn't know why he wanted to exclude them. It seems like boost would be an extra assurance. I'm confused again. You have any idea. My setup is Monday and I should start treatments on Thursday.

Cindr

Hi kec1972, yes.. I will be starting on Femara a few weeks after my RADS as well. Like you I’m not big on taking meds!! I promised myself I’d TRY. Will see how it goes 😬. My RO and Onc are both insisting that I have to try to do 5 yrs of meds as my tumor was 95% ER and PR positive!! Hopefully neither of us will get any side effects, fingers crossed 🙏🏻🙏🏻🤞🏻

Hi Jessie,

My RO said I don’t need booze because of the size of the tumor was the margins of my tumor were very clear I think that boost has something to do with size, margins and maybe type of cancer I

I would just request your RO to give you more definitive information as to why he doesn’t want to do boost I hate being confused!! Just ask more questions until your clear on your treatment let’s keep in touch. Have a nice weekend!!

XXOO

Cindr

CindyNY

Cindr- I completed Hypofractionated whole breast Irridation in Jan 2018, with no boosts. It was my left breast, and I wasn't required to hold my breath. I think the CT scan done prior allowed them to see exactly where they were aiming, and hopefully, to miss vital organs. Any damage I won't know about for years. My skin held up well (used Aquaphor; aloe & hydrocortisone), ending up with a tan rectangle. I'm pretty pasty white, so my "tan" wasn't truly dark. It took longer to undress & redress than the actual rads took. You will do fine!

My MO had me wait until the area was totally healed before starting on Anestrozole. Last rad 1/18, started AI 3/1. That was almost 2 months.

There is a forum here for rads ladies starting in a specific month. Yours would probably be Starting Rads April 2019. Its nice to have others starting at the same time, with some carried in from previous month, sharing the journey.

Best of luck to you!

Cindr

Hi. CindyNY!!

Thanks for replying! Glad your rads went well!! Did you get any fatigue? I’m very olive colored so I’m suspecting I’ll tan as well. Will see 😊.

Any side effects from the Anestrozole?? Thank you for the tips!! I’ll check out the forum.

Have a great weekend,

Cind

CindyNY

Cindr- I worked out daily before I went in for rads. A few times afterwards I'd get home, shower, get all cozy warm and fall asleep. Not sure if it was from the workout, the rads, the winter, or a combo. My MO said I'd more than likely be tired a month out from rads. She was right. A few times I seemed absolutely fine, and all of a sudden I'd say I'm taking a nap. I'd be out like a light.

Anestrozole - I don't want to plant any thoughts in your head about side effects. I had some SE, but they've sort of played out. First few months were worse, 4+ months out things settle down. Everyone is different in how we react to the AI. Lets just say its doable. If you get there and it doesn't seem doable, your MO can change your meds.

You got this, one step at a time.

Cindr

Good morning Cindy! Thank you for your reply, very helpful. I work out a lot too and I'm planning to continue to do so. I'm hoping that keeps my energy level up. Tomorrow's the big day, little nervous but excited to to get this part of my journey over!! We have a condo in Marco Island Florida and are planning to leave the day after I finish RADS! Three weeks by the beach and the beautiful ocean should be very helpful!! 😎🌞.

I'm trying to stay very positive with Anestrzole!! It's good to know that the SE'S Tend play out in four months or so. I will keep that in mind!

Let's stay in touch. Hope you have a blessed day !! ❤️