Is Radiation Necessary?

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Theresara
Theresara Member Posts: 2
edited June 2014 in DCIS (Ductal Carcinoma In Situ)

This question may have been already answered elsewhere. so forgive me if it redundant.

 I've read a lot -- and am overwhelmed with all the information out there and from women who have experience in all this.

I have had a small "cancer;" Stage 0, Grade 2, 6mm, lumpectomy and Sentinel node removed. (axillary sentinel lymph node w/hyperplasia) -- have no idea what 1/2 that means. negative.

There seems to be 50/50 reviews on getting radiation. The doctor of course says radiation.

0.6 cm (6mm) - 3.6x3x1 cm lumpectomy -- all margins negative more than 1 cm from lesion 

 Any answers would be great.

Thank you 

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  • horse-n-around
    horse-n-around Member Posts: 79
    edited March 2011

    Normally with a lumpectomy the drs recommend radiation because DCIS can have what they call "Skip lesions" .   Its basically your choice but radiation is "supposed" to decrease the chance of more DCIS due to how DCIS can skip and appear farther down the duct.

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  • SJW1
    SJW1 Member Posts: 244
    edited March 2011

    Theresara,

    If you are comfortable with omitting radiation, you might be a good candidate. Since you can only do radiation once, I chose to save it in case my DCIS ever recurred as invasive cancer. What you need to find out is what your risk of recurrence is with and without the radiation.



    When I was diagnosed in 2007, I consulted with Dr. Michael Lagios, a world renowned DCIS expert and pathologist, who has a consulting service that anyone can use. He used the Van Nuys Prognostic Index to calculate my recurrence risk at only 4 percent. With such a low risk, the 50 percent risk reduction radiation typically provides wasn't worth the potential side effects to me.



    Some doctors and medical texts offer the option of omitting radiation as standard of care to certain low risk DCIS patients,



    If you have questions or would like more info, please feel free to send me a private message or check out my website:



    https://sites.google.com/site/dciswithoutrads/home



    Best wishes as you choose what is right for you,

    Sandie







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