Stop Radiations for two weeks and start again?

dimidani · January 2011

Hello Sisters,

Hope some of you can help me with some answers.

I had 11 out of 28 radiations sessions post mastectomies and removal of lymph nodes. I developed edema on my tissue expander side and it turned out to be a seroma who got infected. I had surgery removal/replacement of tissue expander + drain back in. I am on antibiotics and my PS wants me to stop radiations for 2 weeks.

Just wondering if any of you had to stop radiations and started over again after a short brake. I am very worried that the effect of the radiations is not going to be the same if you stop for a while.

My radiation oncologist is aware of what happened and I am waiting for her to call me at home at the moment.

I am running out of patience and I am very scared so I thought I would reach out to you!

Thank you,

Daniela

soulswithin · January 2011

I'm thinking, that the distance of stopping outweighs the complications if you didn't get the break. You probably wouldn't be able to finish anyway if you got worse, so just stay focused on the health of the area for now. I discussed with my rad doc how bad would it be if I had to go away for a week because of an ill father, and he said, don't worry, just do what you have to do. So I take it, these treatments are not cut and dried, nor neither are our odds totally accurate, so just get thru it the best you can.

jw523 · January 2011

Daniela,

I stopped radiation for a little over a week due to skin breakdown. From the forum (Nov Rads) this was a common thing. It's hard to understand that radiation is an overall course of treament and you can stop and start with it still being as effective. Trust your doctors to know the right thing, ask lots of questions and get a second opinion if it makes you feel better. I asked another RO about a change in my treatment plan that when it was explained in a different way made me feel a lot better about changing than when it was origianlly suggested. Good luck!

dimidani · January 2011

Thank you. I feel better now. My RO is going to see me next Wed.

Hugs,

Daniela

lrr4993 · January 2011

I just missed close to a week because of the winter storm in atlanta. My doc said that it was not a problem and I will just make up the missed txs at the end.

jo1955 · January 2011

dimidani - The break won't mean you are not getting the full benefit of radiation. If you continue radiation now and don't wait for the incision to heal, it will never heal properly. I had to wait 3 weeks between an attempt at Mammosite and reg rads. My onc would not start until my Mammosite incision was completely healed. He said I was still protected and not to worry. I also asked my surgeon about this - he specializes in BC cancer and is very knowledgeable about the rad part and and he said the same thing and that made me feel much better.

Relax and breathe - you are going to be just fine.

lear · January 2011

My computer is old and I am having trouble with getting a message to someone. I found this site a month ago and I want to thank everyone of you who are going through this terrible nightmare. I was treated for dcis & Idcis left breast 11 years ago.Lumpectomy followed by six weeks radiation. Left rib cage ached once in a while but learned to live with it. Fast forward to July 2010, diagnosed with dcis right breast two surgeries and additional cancer involved invasive lobular cancer also.Lumpectomy Sept. More Surgery - Sentinal nodes 3 - O (good). This was to be followed with radiation treatment. My question it is now January 2011 and 17 or 18 weeks after surgery and I only received a date for the mapping a week ago. Treatment begins Tuesday next week. I asked the radiologist oncologist if this was not past the time to be effective as I do recall when I had my left breast surgery followed by radiaiton the oncologist spoke about optimal time and that he wanted me to start within 6 weeks after the surgery. I'm afraid of further complications and would hate to go through this if it is not effective. I am very thin and my bones are not great. Help!

SimplesL · February 2011

This is my very first post. I'm waiting for RT following my 2nd excision on 16/11/10. I complained to my Oncologist due to delay now 16 weeks and not even planning appt set up. Additional delay due to the simulator being replaced. Unlikley to be before March!

My Onc reassured me the effectiveness didn't reduce until 6 months after surgery, as my RT is preventative; they are as sure as they can be that all removed as I have very good margins.

RT recommended due to size of DCIS (even though low grade); my age (51) and my grandmother and first cousin (died at 42) both had breast cancer. Also other types of cancer on same side of family. I do have a large family (both parents 1 of 7).

Due to anxiety and dwelling on this I have tried to find where it confirms up to 6 months is OK. I have been very unsuccesful. Whilst I believe what my Onc told me (you have to don't you), I'd still like to see this in black & white.

Can anyone point me in the right direction to find this study/research. All I can find is the NICE guidlines which say RT should start as long as surgery wound healed within 31 days.

njmae · February 2011

I talked to a radiation doctor yesterday. I am delaying because I need more information from the pathology report, so I asked him how much time I had to decide. Ideally he likes to start within 6 weeks of the surgery. In my case he thought it could go to 10 due to the grade and size. He said at 12 weeks he wouldn't do it - we would then be in a watch and wait mode.

Stop Radiations for two weeks and start again?

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