Radiation to Breast and Armpit

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Azz
Azz Member Posts: 25
edited June 2014 in Older Than 60 Years Old With Breast Cancer

Hello everyone. I just found this discussion board awhile ago and I'm slowing figuring out how things work. I've had two surgeries - lumpectomy & sentinel node (positive), followed by axillary node dissection (9 nodes negative). I knew radiation would be the next step even though I'm not happy about it (don't know whether the positive outweighs the negative), but I was sure it would only be to the breast since the armpit nodes were clear.

My oncologist told me today that the armpit would be radiated as well (even though I already have swelling and a lot of nerve pain) as he feels the nodes above the area dissected could have cancer. He says he wants to make sure every possibility is dealt with. But if the previous nodes were clear, I don't understand. He then warned me about lymphademia (which I already have a mild case of), lifetime pain, immobility of the arm, shooting pain, weakness of arm and hand, etc. Has anyone else had radiation to the armpit? If so, please let me know how it went for you. I'm a senior at age 68 in great health until this hit me out of the blue in September.

Wishing everyone the best out there... and thanks for reading.

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  • GG27
    GG27 Member Posts: 2,128
    edited December 2010

    I had BMX, chemo & had radiation to chest, armpits, clavicle & back.  I've had a few problems with my arms, burning sensation & my arms were quite weak for about 6-8 months.  I took some anti inflammatories which took away the burning.  I also went & had some acupuncture to help with the bone pain from tamoxifen & told the practitioner about this, she was able to help with that as well.  It might be something you could try with the problems you're already having.

      The radiation was okay, I was quite badly burnt, but healed fairly quickly.  Bonus-- hair doesn't grow back in armpits!!!  no one told me about this.

    I just read one of your other posts, first of all (((hugs))) it does all of a sudden feel like your whole world revolves around appts'.  I was scared to answer the phone for a while! :)  And I know what you mean, you don't want to be talking about it all the time with your spouse (who's already having their own issues with their spouse being sick) and your friends.  This site has been great, I found it after I had already completed my treatment.  If you want to ask me anything specific, feel free to send me a private message.  

    Good luck! Cheers! Dee

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  • Cowgirl13
    Cowgirl13 Member Posts: 1,936
    edited December 2010

    Azz, i'm 64 and radiation went very well for me.  I had a lumpectomy and sentinel node biopsy-node negative. Your one node positive may be what's tipping the scale for your onc.

    Good luck with your decision. 

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  • Kathy044
    Kathy044 Member Posts: 433
    edited August 2013

    Hi  Azz, I'm 66, I live in Coquitlam BC so assume we are both following the same BCCA radiation treatment protocal for early stage cancer. (I'll PM you the URL). Radiation to the upper axilla and superclavical regions with only one positive node AND at least 10 nodes taken can be considered on a case by case basis.

    My radiation onc recommended I do it but gave me some time to think about it knowing I liked to research things. (I balked at the first about doing recommended chemo too).

    (One of the reasons I decided to do chemo was that I thought then I wouldn't need the extra radiation. I hope I made the right decision in refusing, but the risk of lymphedema was a concern to me too.) 

    There is a study being done now in Ontario to see what the benefits of regional radiation are, if any, after lumpectomy, but the results won't be available for a few years.The few studies I found on regional radiation were all over ten years old and after mastectomy.

    I was told that there was no way to avoid some radiation to the lower axilla area with full breast radiation but can live with that. I consider radiation a small price to pay for being able to have the lumpectomy. 

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  • navigatinglife
    navigatinglife Member Posts: 7
    edited December 2010

    Azz,

    I had 17 lymph nodes removed (axillary node dissection) only 1 was positive.  However, I had

    chemo, surg and then radiation to the armpit and the whole breast all the way to the collarbone.

    I was burned fairly bad but recovered quickly after stopping radiation for 4 days to let my skin

    heal.  Have had no trouble with Lymphedema in arm, however, seem to have a little in my breast.

    Not sure if that is a natural occurence or if caused by radiation!  Was puzzled to hear so many people saying they were given the option of radiation after surgery.  I wasn't given an option. 

    Doing okay now, started on my 5 yr regimen of Aromasin.

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  • Neon21
    Neon21 Member Posts: 2
    edited January 2011
    Skin can bloody as admitting you accept a sunburn. It may burn, itch, peel, dry out, pass4sure 640-822 blister, or become abscessed all over or in patches. The awareness comes on gradually. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy, which is breath in 100% oxygen while in a closed breadth area air burden has been raised, pass4sure 350-030 can advice derma balance faster. Doctors or nurses can appoint anesthetic or salves to allay affronted skin, pass4sure VCP-410 but use of creams after your doctor's approval can could cause added accident to your skin.
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