How many rounds of radiation you have?

cathy67

Hi,

I just talked to my radiation team yesterday, and my plan is 20 rounds on daily schedule, which means four weeks. My surgical margin is negative but close, and I have one positive node which is 3mm.

I did not spend much effort on radiation study, chemo option already messed up my life totally. I even forgot the detailed area they will do, but I think whole breast and armpit area. How many rounds you have? I know as technology's big improvement, nowadays radiation is also becoming easier.

By the way, I am in Vancouver BC, nurse said only BC Cancer Agency has radiation facility, so all patients from surrounding cities come to Vancouver for treatment.

Spookiesmom

First time was 32 total. Second time 28. DH had 35 for prostate ca.

edj3

I had a total of 20 sessions. The last five were boosts so targeted right where the tumor had been.

cathy67

Hi edj3,

I also have 20 rounds, but my situation is worse than you, I did not study this, chemo is the top important issue that I spent all the time on. But radiation treatment option shall be based more on surgical margin, mine is close,negative but close, I wonder if my 20 rounds is enough or not. Don't know if it depends on the machine or not.

edj3

Your radiology oncologist should be able to answer all your questions, especially with your concern about the margin and your specific cancer.

gb2115

I had 32. There are different ways they can do it.

mocame

I am having 30. The last 5 are boosts.

AliceBastable

The radiologist thought I'd have about 20 sessions, but after the CT scan and set-up he changed it to 33 (the last five were boosts). I think the positive node changed it, because I got zapped in my armpit and clavicle each time along with standard whole breast.

MinusTwo

I had 5 weeks - 25 rounds. No boosts. Getting there & changing took twice as long as the daily treatments.

Ingerp

It's typically either ~20 ("Canadian protocol") or ~33. Both deliver the same total amount of radiation. The Canadian protocol started because a lot of women in rural areas were finding it difficult to complete the 6.5 weeks, so they tried giving fewer sessions with more radiation per session, and it was found to be just as effective. FWIW, the first time for me (DCIS only) was 20. The second time (IDC) I was told you can't do the accelerated protocol after chemo because the skin is more tender, so I had 33.

cathy67

Ingerp,

Thanks!! I have not talked to MO yet, not sure whether chemo or not. Yeah, the radiologist did say, this planning is based on no chemo assumption.

kksmom3

Lumpectomy, clean margins, had 16 regular whole-breast and 4 boosts to the tumor bed. I was not a candidate for the Savi rads because my breast was too small.

cathy67

kksmom,

I never heard of that. Mine will be same as yours, sounds a standard planning.

moth

I had 16+4 boosts.

btw, it's not just Vancouver that has it. I did mine in Surrey. Abbotsford also has radiation therapy. Many people choose to go to those rather than Vancouver because of commutes, parking and scheduling.

cathy67

Oh yes, at least, my city does not have, vancouver is the convenient location for me, I can take skytrain.

cathy67

Hi AliceBastable,

My CT Scan is scheduled the end of the month, I am very scared of that, will be the whole body.

I don't understand why your radiologist changed your treatment planning, did CT Scan find something?

Having experienced so many reports, now comes the last one of this round, CT Scan! Tomorrow go for bone density, then cancer clinic orientation, then hormone injection, then CT Scan, then radiation, hopefully CT Scan won't bring new findings. I am planning vacation during my daughter's next year's spring break.

moth

are you having a diagnostic CT scan or is this the mapping CT scan for the radiation?

cathy67

Moth,

CT Scan was ordered by oncologist, but after almost two months waiting, then I get the appointment finally. I asked oncologist this question, how many percentage is mets at this moment? He said, he won't worry about too much, 2% right now. But I am still worried.

mitziandbubba

I had 21. 16 plus 5 boosts. It was an hour drive each way to the facility and it took longer to change my clothes than to go through the actual treatment.

AliceBastable

Cathy67, the RO had estimated 20 sessions the first time I met him. The change came after the set-up scan, but the fact I had a positive node and a re-excision may have factored in. I can't remember if my initial meeting with him was before or after the pathology report. Also, my rads were delayed due to having another unrelated surgery, so that may have also been factored in.

cathy67

Alice,

Thanks. When I met RO, he said my very low oncotype score means I am low risk, I am not sure if this is the factor. We have weekly meeting with RO during treatment, I will ask him when I see him next time. I have not studied radiation, focused on chemo options.

Hospital called my bone scan will be on December 31, no kidding.

IAmACat

My RO said I will be getting 6.5 weeks, 5 days a week, so that works out to about 33 sessions. They zap me in 3 places. My schedule has my last radiation listed as December 31.

AnnC2019

I am having 25. Tomorrow will be my 13th. I am starting to feel it in my lower throat. I try to cough to clear my throat but it doesn’t help. The symptom comes and goes so it is bearable

letsgogolf

I had 36. 28 to breast and node areas and 8 extra to the tumor bed. I asked about the large number of treatments and was told that it was the same amount of radiation as the shorter duration but easier to tolerate.

B-A-P

I had 16 sessions over 3 weeks ! no boosts

Chris203

I had 16 sessions also over three weeks (+ one day) 5 days a week, eliminating weekends. Didn't know about the boosts though. Maybe that is because my pathology from the lumpectomy came back with no malignancy and had no lymph involvement.. Chemo seems to have taken care of the cancer. Still have two more sessions of the Herceptin and Projeta though. Does anyone else have shoulder pain from the radiation?

edwards750

33 treatments. Fatigue halfway through. Little burning but nothing major.

Diane

cathy67

I just did my 1st round, they said the skin side effect will start to come in two weeks, so enjoy these two weeks!

Counting down every day, now has 19 rounds left.

MarieK

I’m doing 10 this time. This is my 3rd go at radiation.

I did 28 left breast after mastectomy & chemo in 2010.
Then 10 for my right femur in 2013.
Now another 10 for my sternum (right side).
I’m half way done.

So far so good...

fac03

I am going to have 30 and will be asking my RO tomorrow. It surprised me as i only have Lumpectomy and they told me the margins were cleared and my lymph node is 0/12 and the tumor in the breast was small.

Does anyone have anyone suggestion on how/what o ask?

During chemo, when I asked why the 4 ACs and 12 T, the MO told me it was standard protocol. I am afraid the RO is going to tell me it was standard protocol.

deweygirl19

28 whole breast + 8 boosts to tumorbed so I'm getting the same as letsgogolf for the same reason.