3 weeks of rads

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pbgirl
pbgirl Member Posts: 18
edited June 2014 in Radiation Therapy - Before, During, and After

Hi all  I am to start Rads in May and my RO (trained in France) is ordering just 3 weeks of radiation instead of the usual 5 to 6 weeks.  He says it will be the same overall dose but the side-effects should be less.  Has anyone else had a shorter course of rads??

Blessings and health to all 

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  • Teal3Pink1
    Teal3Pink1 Member Posts: 109
    edited April 2011

    I am being treated at a major cancer center in New York City. I have met 2 people and have heard of others who are getting 3 weeks of WBR and 1 week of boosts. One of the nurses mentioned that this protocol is based on a recent study, but I can't remember the specifics.

    I just finished the WBRs last Friday and my skin is tender, but otherwise in really good shape.

    Good luck!

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  • Letlet
    Letlet Member Posts: 1,053
    edited April 2011

    I asked at my RO about this...she said its usually women who get a lumpectomy and the dose is stronger i believe

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  • Sherryc
    Sherryc Member Posts: 5,938
    edited April 2011

    It is called the Canadian protocol.  I did not have it but I have run across several women on these boards who have and was very please with the outcome.

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  • Pennythoughts
    Pennythoughts Member Posts: 81
    edited April 2011

    I had this - I am in Canada.  16 days in total, no boosts.  I was told that I met the criteria . . . Stage 1, 9 mm tumour, and I am skinny with small breasts - - a lot less tissue to radiate so they are confident they can get it all in that time frame.  Although, you are right - - it is the same amount of radiation in the shorter time frame . . . I guess with more breast tissue it just takes longer for the radiation to penetrate.

    I did well until the very, very end, and then peaked about 10 days after finishing, which apparently is normal for any protocol.  It was pretty uncomfortable, but the burning and the itch resolved fairly quickly after peaking.  Now, two months later, I have some breast edema and weird zings and aches and pains in the breast and under my arm, which again, they're telling me is normal and should resolve on its own . . . when, I'm not sure.

    I wish you the best . . .

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  • rianne2580
    rianne2580 Member Posts: 191
    edited April 2011

    I had RMX, some DCIS cells left in the margin. R/O wants to do 6 weeks of rads with boosts. I do not believe I will do that. She said I could watch it with my M/O guidance and if something shows up we can radiate then. I am sore from the MX, skin is very tight. I have a nodule in my thyroid that I'm concerned about and radiation may make it grow. I have a few 2-4mm specks in my lungs and rads scar your lungs, small amount, but still scar them. R/O also said my ribs can fracture in the future.

    If I had IDC cells left, it would be different. DCIS may never mutate into mets. The jury is still out on DCIS. I just cannot justify the SE for this small area. That's where I stand right now. I meet with her again in a week.

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