radiation -- only 16 days Rx

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Gwendolyn
Gwendolyn Member Posts: 2
edited June 2014 in Radiation Therapy - Before, During, and After

My radiation oncologist has recommended that I have only 16 days of radiation with a possible 5 day boost. This is based on a low (8) oncotype DX score and no node involvement and ER positive and tumor less than 1 cm. According to a Canadian study, this reduced amount is as good as a full 6 weeks. Has anyone else been prescribed in this way? I am of course pleased with the idea, but hope that it is adequate for treatment.

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  • knowledgeforpower
    knowledgeforpower Member Posts: 184
    edited October 2009

    Yes, last summer I had 15 regular sessions and 3 boosts.  I had a lumpectomy.  My Oncotype was 26 so I had 4 rounds of adriamycin/cytoxan. If you search this forum for the word shortened you will find numerous posts.  I am very happy with the choice.  I had very little fatigue, minimal interuption to my work schedule, and only a little itchiness toward the end.

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  • Angel10
    Angel10 Member Posts: 682
    edited October 2009

    Gwen,

    I just read about this study and it seemed rather reputable.  Check the BC.org home page. I think they reviewed it!  SE were the same, effectiveness was the same...and only 3 weeks of radiation!  Sounds encouraging!  The dose overall is the same, too, so it is not like you are getting less, just getting the overall amount in a shorter period of time.

    Good luck and God Bless!

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  • hummingbird62
    hummingbird62 Member Posts: 1
    edited October 2009

    Gwen,

    I just finished my 16 days of radiation treatment last thursday. My tumor is less than 1cm with the removal 4 lymph nodes.  It went pretty fast, it started to bother me around the last 3 or 4 treatments. It made me tried, and my skin started to become more sensitive and discoloration. Drank a glass of red wine during the radiation surely help some reduction on the redness.

    I did not have problems to go back to work during my radiation. I have to wear a bit loose top and sports bra. Good luck to you.

    hummingbird

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  • janey47
    janey47 Member Posts: 72
    edited October 2009

    Yes, I had 16 treatments, ending September 29. 

    The form of IDC I had is called Tubular Carcinoma, which has a very low metastasis or recurrence rate.  Prior to my surgery & final pathology report showing the Tubular Carcinoma, my oncologist had expected 20 - 22 treatments, based on 2 lesions, both under 1 cm, and everyone's expectation (which turned out to be correct) that there would be no lymph node involvement.

    I started getting side effects after the fourth treatment, which is a little early.  Swelling & tenderness, mainly, which actually subsided during the treatments, and then skin irritation, which is now almost entirely gone, and some fatigue (a couple of days when I slept 12 or 14 hours), and the pinching/shooting pains from nerve damage, which are getting less frequent but I gather they can last for years, with decreasing frequency.

    I was lucky enough to be able to schedule my treatments for 7:30 AM and the hospital is on the route of the same bus I take to work, so my daily life was almost uninterrupted.   I hope your experience is as positive as mine was.

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