radiation boost

Options
jlb60
jlb60 Member Posts: 7
edited June 2014 in Radiation Therapy - Before, During, and After

I haved 16 treatments, The doctor said the last 8 I will get a radiation boost to the tumor area. He said something about using a cone on the breast. Has anyone have had this done?

· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • eileenr56
    eileenr56 Member Posts: 135
    edited July 2010

    I am curious about that as well.  I'm going to be having them in about 2 weeks.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Makratz
    Makratz Member Posts: 12,678
    edited July 2010

    I did it.  I believe its standard treatment.  You really wont notice anything different between the regular rads and the boosts.  The boosts are just concertrated to a smaller area.  It doesn't hurt at all, you don't feel anything.  Best of luck to you both!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • redsox
    redsox Member Posts: 523
    edited July 2010

    "Cone" is a term that just means more focused on the tumor area.  The good news is that the treatment area is smaller so some of the area now getting treatment will be done (!!!!) and only the area around the tumor bed is still getting treatment.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • ruthbru
    ruthbru Member Posts: 57,235
    edited July 2010

    It doesn't feel any different, but as I remember it, they use a different beam; the 'normal' one is more generalized & the boost zaps deeper just around the area where the tumor was, because if any 'bad' cells are still left, that is where they would be. You are on the home stretch! Congratulations!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • CydMacall
    CydMacall Member Posts: 1
    edited July 2010

    I am getting my boost Aug 6th for 5 days...and I am told that's pretty standard, then August 12th is my LAST treatment and then it's all behind me... my hair is coming back and when I get my lashes and eyebrows back I will be all the more exstatic to see Me again in the mirror... :) Can't wait, it's so exciting...Like waiting to see an old friend again!  MY friend in the mirror now is BFF and is an amazing woman!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • chita
    chita Member Posts: 48
    edited July 2010

    I had 5 boosts.  They do a new CT scan to see if the seroma( the fluid filled cavity where your tumor was removed) has shrunk, then make a custom template the size of your seroma. It fits on a cone xray head.  The radiation is electron, so it delivers a more shallow dose.  The treatment was a little longer, but just on the one area, it lasts about 1.5 -2 minutes.  I found the skin under my breast got worse ( the rad onc told me it would), but now it is healing great.  I just finished three days ago.  Every day my skin looks and feels better, I actually wore an underwire bra for about 5 hours yesterday.  Sometimes they give the boosts in the middle of treatment if you have bad sores from the regular treatment, just to give the skin a break.  Good luck and you're almost there!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Categories