Radiation after double mastectomy?

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Maui2010
Maui2010 Member Posts: 4
edited June 2014 in Radiation Therapy - Before, During, and After

I was diagnosed in April 2011 and had a double mastectomy in June. My invasive tumor was just under 2 cm, high stage DCIS of 9cm and 0 positive nodes. I am 35, just finished 4 rounds of TC chemo and will be starting tamoxifen soon. I'm stage 1, grade 2. ER+/PR+, HER2-



I met with a radiation oncologist who was 50/50 about rads. My DCIS is still touching the skin in 2 spots so margins and my age are in favor of rads. Size of invasive tumor and negative nodes would say I don't need it. I will be going in for an excision to clear the margins in the two remaining spots, which should just leave my age as a factor. However, I want to do everything I can now to prevent recurrence and am thinking at this point I'd want rads.

Have any of you had rads after double mastectomy with no node involvement? Any advice or info you can share, please do!!

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  • hawaiik
    hawaiik Member Posts: 69
    edited October 2011

    Have a 2nd opinion of your path report.  I would want to do everything to prevent 2nd recurr also. I am having a BMX on Dec27th. I have a different diagnosis than you , but did have that 2nd & 3rd  opinion. Hugs to you

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  • ScienceGirl
    ScienceGirl Member Posts: 207
    edited October 2011

    Hello, 

    I had radiation after my BMX and after doing TC x 4.  My surgeon and onc said NO for radiation, but I referred myself and the radiation oncologist agreed with me that radiation could benefit me.  My margins were 1.5mm.  There is some controversy over what 'clear margins' is.  Some say >1mm, my radiation oncologist said she is more comfortable with 3mm.  Hopefully you will have very wide margins after your next surgery.  I agree with hawaiik - get 2nd and 3rd opinions, and ask lots of question about benefits vs risks.

    Good Luck to you

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  • Maui2010
    Maui2010 Member Posts: 4
    edited October 2011

    Thanks so much for the replies! I will definitely get more info and at least a second opinion if not a third. Hugs!

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  • Maui2010
    Maui2010 Member Posts: 4
    edited October 2011

    Sorry I hit submit too soon. Good luck to you both!!

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  • migallen
    migallen Member Posts: 125
    edited October 2011

    Hi,

    I had a bmx in January, no node involvement and I went through 4 a/c and taxol and taxotere.  I also am having 33 rounds of rads because my clearest margin was .2 mm at the chest wall.  I only have 17 more to go. 

    Good luck and the best to you,

    Min

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