Radiation Therapy twice to same area, anyone?

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KeepingFaith69
KeepingFaith69 Member Posts: 508
edited January 2015 in Radiation Therapy - Before, During, and After

Hi,

I had a recurrence and it was removed by surgery in November.

CT scans all clear, no evidence of spread (God is GREAT).

Oncologist stopped Herceptin and and has not suggested any further treatment as there is nothing to measure (yeeeeeha!).

The radiotherapist has dioscussed with me the option of additional radiotherapy given the tumor was 'close' the deep margin.  We discussed the risks (which are significant), the worst being necrosis (an ulcer that doesnt heal!)

I am just wondering if anyone has had rads to the same area and whether the benefits have outweighed the (potential) risks.

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  • LuvRVing
    LuvRVing Member Posts: 4,516
    edited December 2011

    I had Mammosite radiation in July 2010 after a lumpectomy for my Stage I BC.  I am now undergoing radiation to my chest wall, supra-clavicle nodes and mammary nodes after more cancer was found in March 2011.  My radiation this time is being done at Dana Farber and it's a very complicated protocol to avoid damage to my heart, lungs, thyroid and ribs, although I still have a significant risk of spontaneous rib fracture because they are taking the brunt of the "double" radiation.  Get an expert in the field to manage your second radiation.  It's uncommon and therefore not very many ROs have experience with it.  I had consulted with one RO locally who told me of all the potential risks.  When I went to Dana Farber and met with the "chair" of Radiation Oncology there and a leading expert in the field, he told me how he could avoid most of the potential damage.  I get 11 different zaps (different angles) to ensure protection to my vital organs. 

    I was told that this second round of radiation reduces my risk of recurrence from 30% to 10%.  That, along with the steps to mitigate the risks, makes it worthwhile for me.

    Good luck finding the best RO to do it right!

    Michelle

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  • KeepingFaith69
    KeepingFaith69 Member Posts: 508
    edited December 2011

    Thank you, much appreciated

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  • KeepingFaith69
    KeepingFaith69 Member Posts: 508
    edited December 2011

    I LOVE your comment "left overs", I used the same description.

    Wishing you health, vitality and JOY : )

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  • msphil
    msphil Member Posts: 1,536
    edited December 2011

    Keeping faith69, no I did,t have that experience But I would like to take this time to say to you I LOVE (Keepingfaith) I believe you will make it through as you keep the Faith, it is was got me through to my longterm survival(18yr) Survivor(PRAISE GOD), Faitj, HOPE and POSITIVE thinking got to to this point, My faith in GOD.(idc, stage 2, 3 nodes involved, L mast, with reconstruction(body rejected the foreign object expander implant removed) chemo 3 months before surgery and the mast, then chem 3 months after, all while planning my wedding, and then we got married and then rads 7 wks, for 5 5days a week, Misdiagnosed in the beginning, had my name mixed up with another, first told I had it, then told I didn,t then told I did again, talking about Roller coaster ride (BUT GOD( only HIM could get me through ALL that, hang in there, we are ALL in my prayers Daily.   msphil  

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  • KeepingFaith69
    KeepingFaith69 Member Posts: 508
    edited December 2011

    Praise GOD, and thank you for your post.

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  • Joan811
    Joan811 Member Posts: 2,672
    edited December 2011
    LuvRVing - I just happened to catch your post.  It is great to know that there is a place where precise planning can minimize collateral damage.  I know that recurrence near the chest wall is always a possibility.  Before I started rads, I called my surgeon to ask what my options would be if I had a recurrence (mastectomy).  I will keep DF in mind if I ever need an option for more rads.
    Thanks! -- Joan
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  • KeepingFaith69
    KeepingFaith69 Member Posts: 508
    edited January 2012
    Hi LuvRVing, just checking in to see how things are going with radiotherapy?

    Praying that treatment passes with ease and minimal discomfort; and that the lurgies stay away permanently : )
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  • KeepingFaith69
    KeepingFaith69 Member Posts: 508
    edited January 2012

    Hi all,

    Happy new year.  Just checking to see if anyone else has had this experience.

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  • Chrissysurvivor
    Chrissysurvivor Member Posts: 1
    edited January 2013

    How are you feeling ? Did u end up with radiating twice? I also have been twice radiated with 11 years in between diagnoses. First lumpectomy with estrogen positive cancer in 1998 followed by chemo and rads. Then triple neg cancer SAME spot in 2011. Double mastectomy, chemo AND rads. Having some rad side effects. Are you?

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  • funthing42
    funthing42 Member Posts: 418
    edited January 2015

    Hi hopefully you will see this before I begin. I have been searching frantically for more info. I am getting more Rads to the same area it's been about 5 years since my last Rads.

    I'm getting electron beam therapy I hope this is better . I was considering proton therapy . It is in my skin. Many tears :(

    Why can't they just cut it away down to the muscle and make some kind of breast from my fat tissue.

    It's not in my nodes. And pet was clean. Ugh


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