Confused about Radiation Therapy

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zmv
zmv Member Posts: 4
edited June 2014 in Radiation Therapy - Before, During, and After

I have Dcis - stge 0 ( grade2) ,> 1 cm, 0.8 mm negative margins, no family history . I am very confused and coflicted about radiation therapy. Can I skip radiation therapy safely?

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  • eileenr56
    eileenr56 Member Posts: 135
    edited August 2010

    I also have DCIS stage 0 (between grade 2 and 3 - pure dcis, no comedo).  I have 6 more boosts and I'll be finished rads.  I understand you thought about not having them.  I didn't know what to do myself.  I would suggest talking to the doctor and asking what the chances of a recurrence are with and without rads.  I was told that with rads (stage 0, pure dcis, no invasive components, good margins) there was a 95 percent chance it would not return and with tamoxifen after rads a 97.5 percent chance it would not return.  I don't remember the percentage without rads.  I felt like it was right for me, but at the end of the day you never know.

    good luck. 

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  • SJW1
    SJW1 Member Posts: 244
    edited August 2010

    Dear zmv,

    You can use the Van Nuys Prognostic Index to see if you would benefit from radiation. It assigns points to your age, the grade and size of your DCIS and the size of your surgical margins to determine what your risk of recurrence is. Since you can only have radiation once in the same area, you want to be sure it is right for you.

    After I was diagnosed with DCIS in 2007, I elected not to have radiation after consulting with a world renowned DCIS expert and pathologist, who has a breast consulting service that anyone can use. He calculated my recurrence risk, after my lumpectomy, at 4 percent without radiation. With such a low risk, the 50 percent reduction that radiation would have provided was not worth it to me. This is his website:

    http://www.breastcancerconsultdr.com/about_dr_lagios.html

    The good thing about DCIS is that you can take your time and research your options. You don't need to rush into anything. 

    Feel free to send me a private message or check out my website if you would like more information about how I arrived at my decision to skip RADS:

    https://sites.google.com/site/dciswithoutrads/my-dcis-story

    The decision to have radiation or not is a very personal choice. You need to be comfortable with whatever you decide. 

    I wish you the best whatever you decide,

    Sandie

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  • zmv
    zmv Member Posts: 4
    edited August 2010

    Thank you Ladies,

    Just a few hours ago, I sent my slides to Dr. Lagios. I  hope he can help me to  make a definite decision about RADS or no RADS soon . 

    so far I have talked to 3 different oncologists,  none of them use Van Nuys Prognostic  index.   They all  said it is  based on one small study and it is not scientifically valid.

    However, my new Oncologist thinks I am a good candidate for partial breast radiation. Anyone out there has done partial radiation?

    ZMV 

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  • SJW1
    SJW1 Member Posts: 244
    edited August 2010

    Dear ZMV,

    Actually Dr. Lagios mentioned that his ongoing study has over a 1000 patients in it now. The results were also validated in a 2009 study done by Lorie Hughes, etal that was published in the November 10 JCO. 

    Contact me if you would like to read two very well done articles re radiation, both for and against, or want to see the Hughes study and don't have access to it.

    Best,

    Sandie

     

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  • zmv
    zmv Member Posts: 4
    edited August 2010

    Dear Swalters,

    Thank you for your advice and your informative website. Do you mind posting the link to those articles. I appreciate your generous and kind letters.

    Best,

    ZMV

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