Chances of radiation working when chemo doesn't?

breast2beast

has anyone had success with radiation when chemo did not work?

buttonsmachine

In my experience, yes, radiation can definitely work where chemo has failed for some reason.

What is your situation? People might be able to say more if you make your stats visible.

Best wishes to you.

gb2115

What do you mean by your chemo not working?

breast2beast

Long awful story.

Last year, following a lumpectomy, I did not get the oncotype dx score done. (I asked and it's the standard of care.) my former oncologist told me there wasn't enough tumor. they sent me thru 6 Mos of chemo. I suffered. have severe issues from it. I had been told all margins were clear (mind u this was nearly a year ago) ..surprise after all that I was told they werent. I got a second opinion. I was told margins were fine (which the original surgeon, oncologist and pathology already stated) but the 2nd opinion wanted a mastectomy for other reasons. I won't get into everything here because it was seriously botched. they new surgeon also ordered the onco score on last year's tumor . it came back chemo "less that one percent benefit." so I did chemo for nothing ...plus more cancer was found. I went the wrong way in the race. I needed the meds.

Anyhow, so now some other things have been found and it might or might not be extremely serious...

I also got a new oncologist who wrote me tamoxifen. radiation oncologist has no issue with being on rads (which I only need because if the new findings, mind you.)

Needless to say...I thought I was nearly done...and now I'm not and not too happy about it. if I wrote everything that was done you'd have ur hand to ur mouth. it's really unbelievable and also very sad. I have young kids who depend on me.

gb2115

Sorry you have had a rough time. If you are wondering about statistics following radiation, your rad onc is the best one to ask. My understanding is that it mostly decreases your risk of local recurrence.

GiddyupGirl

Was a miserable horrifying experience. It is awful when you have a really bad medical experience. With regards to radiation although it is to reduce local recurrence it can also reduce the spread because it gets rid of the nasties in the area that could spread. I am so so sorry you are going through this as bc on its own is bad enough. Come back and let us know how you are doing. Hugs are just not enough.