Rads after lumpectomy -how long after is ok?

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julia2
julia2 Member Posts: 183
edited June 2014 in Radiation Therapy - Before, During, and After

Hi Ladies,

I'm sure there are guidelines or studies somewhere that address how long after a lumpectomy the reads must be started or finished to achieve the same survival rates as mastectomy.  I just can't find them!  I am finishing chemo this month and there is a trip i REALLY want to take this fall which would be smack-dab in the middle of rads if I start them right away.  I don't want to compromise my treatment in any way, but at the same time I'd like to get back to living my life as much as possible.

Cheers!

Julia

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  • breastcancerbites
    breastcancerbites Member Posts: 6
    edited August 2010

    My oncologist, and radiation oncologist, both told it's best to start radiation within 12 weeks.  Before I started radiation, I wanted to get some genetic testing done, and that process took several weeks.  I just barely slid under the window!

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  • Houndmommy
    Houndmommy Member Posts: 377
    edited August 2010

    I think it is 4 -6 weeks that they want to start.  I had a MX with margins that weren't clear and my rad onc said they like to start at 4 weeks.  Unfortunately I didn't start rads until 9 weeks due to a screw up by one of my nurses (long story).  At the time I finally started rads I did find an article from April 2010 that discussed timing of rads.  If I can find it I will post a link here.  I think the best thing you can do is speak with your rad onc and get his/her opinion which will be based on your specific case.

    Good luck!  I hope you get to take your trip!  Kim

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  • julia2
    julia2 Member Posts: 183
    edited August 2010

    Kim,

    I'll be 17 weeks post surgery before I finish chemo!  I agree about talking to the rad onc, I see her next week, but she didn't strike me as the flexible type when I met her before:-)  I'd like some independent info as well as her input.  If you happen to find that article I'd love to see it.  There's a part of me that questions why I even need rads, after chemo, but I know the accepted protocol is if you have lumpectomy you must have rads.. 

    Cheers,

    Julia  

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  • julia2
    julia2 Member Posts: 183
    edited August 2010

    Thanks ivorymom,

    I did ask about the shorter regimen before when I thought I wasn't having chemo, the place I'm going only does the regular external protocol and that balloon thing which freaked me out!  Can't see having that sticking out of me for a week, no way, no how :-)  I have in the interim changed medical oncologists, so I might see what's on offer at the center where my new oncologist is located, although for going every day it is not nearly so convenient.

    And while we're on the topic of convenience, how is it that in a country where you can grocery shop at 3am, a medical center that requires your attendance 5 days a week for 6 weeks is only open 8am to 4pm?  I have a super-flexible job, how do people manage who don't?  Do other centers have better hours or is this standard?  I am blown away that they aren't open from say 7am to 6.30pm, whould that be so hard?

    Julia 

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  • Houndmommy
    Houndmommy Member Posts: 377
    edited August 2010

    Julia,

    I can't find the study I was referring to  :( .  The 4 - 6 week time frame I referred to is after surgery and if you don't have chemo.  I'm not sure what the time frame is after chemo but it seems from many posts that I have seen they usuaaly start within 4 weeks of the chemo tx.

    I hope you can take your trip!  Good luck!  Kim

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  • julia2
    julia2 Member Posts: 183
    edited August 2010

    Thanks ivorymom, Yeah i might look more agressively for the external beam partial breast radiation in my area.  however I have heard that the SEs can be worse with the higher dose?  What do others think?

    Julia

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  • LuvRVing
    LuvRVing Member Posts: 4,516
    edited August 2010

    Julia - I just want to reassure you about the Mammosite treatment.  I know it sounds freaky having a catheter hanging out of you for a week, but it was really no big deal.  I just completed the 5 day plan and I was able to tuck the gauze-wrapped catheter into my sports bra and no one could tell it was there.  It's a pretty big commitment for the 5 days as you have to go in two times a day and each treatment plus waiting takes about an hour, but then you are DONE!  A couple of steri-strips and a bandage over the little hole is all I've got now and it will be closed up in a few days. 

    Best of all, I had NO side effects.  No skin burning or irritation, no fatigue, no NOTHING!

    If you can think about  it as really cool technology, you might be able to get past the "freakiness" of it.  There are age restrictions - minimum 45, I think.

    By the way, my Cancer treatment center starts seeing patients at 6:15 a.m. and continues past 7:00 p.m.!  

    Michelle

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  • BarbaraA
    BarbaraA Member Posts: 7,378
    edited August 2010

    Julia, I had what is called the Canadian Protocol, which is higher dose external beam radiation for 16 treatments. They did a study in Canada with 10000+ women and the recurrence rate and cosmetic results were the same as the 33 tx. 16 is WAY better than 33. My rad center started at 7 and went until 3:30.

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  • BarbaraA
    BarbaraA Member Posts: 7,378
    edited August 2010

    Ivory, I am a 36D and my breasts did great!

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  • julia2
    julia2 Member Posts: 183
    edited August 2010

    Thanks for all the input ladies! I had my measurements today and when I brought up my trip in October I was offered the Canadian protocol!  So looks like that's what we'll be doing.  She said 4.5 weeks though, which is more than 16 treatments.  I need to look into this all some more and get comfortable with the pros and cons.  LuvRVing, not only was I freaked, I am not a Mammosite candidate as I'm too little, but thanks for the info, it sounds great from a convenience and SE perspective.

    Julia 

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