Has anyone been offered new 3 week radiation trial?

Hi,

I'm doing IMRT, which is partial breast radiation, at higher doses, for three weeks, but I don't know if that's what you mean.  Probably not. My rad onco said I was eligible because my tumor was small and early stage. She didn't recommend the Mammosite, as she wasn't comfortable with the procedure.  (I was disappointed, as I had really wanted to try it.)

 The IMRT is a longer time on the table (30-45 min), than conventional rads, but only three weeks worth! 

Good luck with the trial.  Let us know when you find out the name of it.  Or maybe we could look it up on their web site.

Susan

Yes, I had the 3 week course of rads in April at Johns Hopkins. I had a small lump that was found early with no lymph involvement. The name that was given to me was "Vancouver fractionization schema" or Canandian method. I did very well with it, had some "tanning" which has now faded, very little fatigue and I was so glad when my three weeks were up that I wasn't only half way through. My oncologist and surgeon both think I have had a very good cosmetic outcome as well. It was recommended to me by a rad onc in Chapel Hill, NC and I had to ask around to receive it here in Baltimore. I was told the 3 week course used to be used more often several years ago but, for some reason, it has not been used as frequently lately. No one can tell me why! Why would anyone put women through more than they have to?!

Good luck!

Shepherdess 

I was set up for the 5 day and a clerk did not put me in on time for the post 50 day. So now I am doing the 3 week. I understand it works just as well as the 6 week. Checked with all the different docs and since I was a onco 9 it is a good choice. Good luck. 

jea1013,

Hmmm,I'm not certain why mine takes so long. Perhaps, I'm counting the time it takes to do the x-rays each time, because they do 3 (I think) sets each time to make sure the three gold seeds are still in position.  They read them first, so that takes a few minutes.   But, I haven't timed the actual rads.

Do you know if they do boosts with the IMRT?  Or are they part of the treatment?

I'm down to the last three!!!  Woo Hoo!!

 Susan

jea1013,

Mine is also external, but I had 3 gold seeds implanted to mark the area around the tumor bed.  With the price of gold, I think I'll dig 'em out when this is through!

Interesting how things that sound the same...aren't.

Susan

Yes, the individual treatments were stronger but overall the 3 week course is supposed to give you slightly less radiation. I just had my check up with both rad onc and onc. I asked them both AGAIN to give me a straight answer about 3 weeks vs 6 weeks. Apparently, there was a recent conference on the short course that my onc attended and he said it was very good. The reason they both feel it is taking so long to become a standard of care in the US is because the research is Canadian "and you know how we Americans are...we want our own research". That's basically it. I asked about financial incentive, per rad, and they both said in private institutions that is a factor. But, in a teaching hospital, like Hopkins and Mercy, there is very little finacial incentive for the rad onc. When I made my decision with the rad onc I said, "it sounds like you need some demand for the short course...I would like to be part of that demand". So far, I feel very good about my decision. Both docs, again, commented on my good "cosmetic effect". Hope some of this helps. Good vibes to all! Shepherdess.

Hm-m-m. I just started my rad treatment at NYU this month. I wasn't offered the 3 week program, so it must be specifically geared to the dx. I guess I didn't have the right kind of bc!

My surgery was at Chapel Hill. I was actually able to be in 2 studies before my surgery, a PEM (positron emission mammography) and a MRI which came out good with nothing new. Now before surgery, the rad. onc. told me that a 5-day bouquet may be enough, but after the surgery, they recommended 18 treatments (15 plus 3 boosts). As far as I know, it was not a trial.

Since we're 2 1/2 hrs away, I had to go somewhere local, but was told to expect a longer set of treatments. The Chapel Hill onc. said they would refer me and recommend the shorter treatment, but it was up to the doctor where I went.

I asked the local doctor if I could have the shorter treatment and he said it was standard based on my diangosis to give the 33 treatments and it would be that way at any local facility. When I asked about the big difference, he quoted studies (15 mins straight) and said I was free to go somewhere else. I called the Chapel Hill onc. (she even has her home phone on her card and encourages people to call) and she said the treatments would equal to same dosage.

I would have gone to Chapel HIll since they had the most information on me and had perform the extra tests. I felt like they were treating me as an individual case.

Now, I'm trying not to feel like a number. This new place has been an emotional ride. I've found a lot of encourgement here.

I had 16 treatments of this "Canadian Study" method at MSKCC on Long Island 7 months ago at the higher dose and then 5 at the boost.  I am very fair skinned and had almost no side effects of the radiation, which I did on my lunch hour!  Very little fatigue, no burning with the exception of slight sunburn like on the boost and some very mild inflammation.  All my doctors said I handled it remarkably well.  I look "normal" and it "feels" almost normal.  Even the feel of the internal scarring is minimal. Recent published reports are confirming that this method is proving to be as effective as the 6 week treatment, even though they say Canada already has over 10 years of statistics.  This treatment was given with me on a table lying on my stomach with the affected breast exposed through an opening in the table.  This allowed the breast to be treated and almost eliminating any residual effects to the heart, lungs or ribs.  I haven't heard anything negative about it. 

Hi, Everyone!  I just finished the 3-week protocol today!  I had mine lying on my back.  My rad onc is the head of Radiation Oncology at Rhode Island Hospital & when he evaluated me for possible options, he was happy to offer the 3-week one, even though the Vancouver team hadn't yet published their results. But he was familiar with their research & knew they'd had good stats from the ten years.  I am pretty sure that they can only offer it to those of us with DCIS, when it's early & you have nice big, clean margins from your lumpectomy. 

I'm sorry to hear, Jose, that your rad onc had such a negative reaction.  I did a quick search & here's some links to help for finding another doctor.  In a city as big as Dallas & in a state as big as Texas, there has to be someone else you can go to.

http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Therapy/doctor-facility  -- lists a whole bunch of resources for finding a doctor

http://www.cancer.net/patient/Diagnosis+and+Treatment/Finding+Quality+Care/Find+an+Oncologist/Find+an+Oncologist+Database

This second one is a really long link, but is goes to a page where you can type in the city & oncology specialty you're looking for.  So, go there & look for radiation oncologists in Dallas.  It's from the website for the American Society of Clinical Oncology.

Good Luck!

Kathi

I am going to be doing the 3 week radiation also -- IMRT.   I will be having gold seeds also planted.  My health care team is affiliated with a teaching hospital in upstate New York and they all feel this is a good treatment plan for my specific needs, and I am glad to be involved in it too!   Less time and hope less side effects.   I will not be starting till Nov 3 so I will join up the November rads group.   

I am calling myself "the Girl with the Golden Breast"!

traveler55,

I just finished my IMRT at Albany Med, and also have 3 gold seeds!!  I figured with the economy, I might have to dig them out and sell them!

Susan