Anyone under 50 have Mammosite?

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GeorgiaMom
GeorgiaMom Member Posts: 66
edited June 2014 in Radiation Therapy - Before, During, and After

I had my lumpectomy last week and my surgeon thinks I am a good candidate for Mammosite.  I fit the criteria in every way except that I am only 47. I have micropapillary IDC.  I had a 1 cm. mass removed with clear margins and negative lymph nodes (0/3). I am ER+, PR+ and HER 2- , grade 2. I am hoping to avoid chemo but will do it if recommended. Anyone under 50 do the Mammosite and if so would you recommend it?  I am so confused about what is the best option for me for the long term.  I am meeting with the radiation oncologist tomorrow to discuss it but would love to hear from someone who has been through it.  Thanks!

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  • kuchagirl
    kuchagirl Member Posts: 66
    edited February 2012

    I did the 5-day high-dose radiation at age 47.  That's not Mammosite, but it's a similar partial-breast radiation.  Mine was called interstitial brachytherapy.  My lump was a form of papillary, also, and it was low-grade, with 0/2 nodes involved.  I had the radiation in March 2007, so we are nearly at the 5-year mark and there is no evidence of recurrence.  The 5-day radiation was kinda stressfull at the time, but now it doesn't seem much worse overall than getting yucky dental work - you forget after a while.  One oncologist went out on a limb and suggested I was cured, even though that word isn't technically correct, as there are occasional late recurrences.  That was my experience, and others will say something different.

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  • GeorgiaMom
    GeorgiaMom Member Posts: 66
    edited February 2012

    Thanks Kuchagirl.  I met with an RO who had no reservations about doing Mammosite because everything else looked favorable.  Was so relieved to have heard the exact same thing my surgeon had said.  I will be having it done this week, and though it will be a tough week I think it will be much easier than 6 weeks of RADS while trying to juggle four nights a week soccer practice for my daughters.  I really stressed over the decision but now that I've made it I feel very much at peace with it. I appreciate your input!

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  • Cherilynn64
    Cherilynn64 Member Posts: 342
    edited February 2012

    I am also 47 and just completed by bracytherapy. I had the SAVI device which is simlar to Mammosite. For me it hurt a little more because I'm very small 32A and slendar. I could feel the device all the time and I was unable to lift my left arm more than a few inches due to the device. I was worried I had major scar tissue as they said I developed that fast after lumpectomy, but after the device was removed last Thurs, the first thing I was able to do as raise my arm over my head. It's still hurting me some but it's better. The driving twice a day and working before and after each treatment was not bad at all. I did not get very tired either....I'm more tired since being done with it which they also said was normal. Still recovering from eveything....but I'm glad it was an option. Insurance wasn't going to cover it since I'm under 50 but they ended up doing so. It was worth it! Good luck!

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  • GeorgiaMom
    GeorgiaMom Member Posts: 66
    edited February 2012

    Thanks Cherilynn.  I just finished the Mammosite two days ago and I'm thrilled it's done.  It was uncomfortable even for me and I'm a  36C, but it was manageable. So glad I did it and am done.  I think we have been following a similar path for the last couple of months.  I just had my first appt. with my med. oncologist and am waiting for the oncotype score.  Hopefully, I'll know something next week.  Don't want to do chemo but will do it if I'm in the gray area or high risk.  Hope you get a low score!

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  • lsharvey822
    lsharvey822 Member Posts: 257
    edited March 2012

    My doc said I wasn't a candidate because I'm under 50 (43).  I'm not sure if that's just her center's protocol or if there's some reason it's not a good solution for my age group?  She wants me to do 6-8 weeks of daily radiation and the thought of trying to schedule that around work and work thru it is almost as stressful as the diagnosis.

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  • mrkffr11
    mrkffr11 Member Posts: 74
    edited March 2012

    I just visited a radiologist for a consult on DCIS diagnosis where BS is recommending follow up radiation.  This radiologist told me that her facility does not offer partial breast and she also mentioned that insurance probably would not cover for me due to my age of 47.

    It is a shame because that is probably the only way I'd consider doing radiation is partial.  I'm really opposed to full breast radiation.

    I'm still planning to call my insurance company about it though.  I have a few weeks before my lumpectomy and I've been told that if I am going to do radiation I should consider starting about 4 weeks after my surgery.

    I'm not as concerned about the convenience of 6 weeks of rads as  I am concerned with exposing whole breast, part of lungs and heart (however small) I have left breast condition.  I am a smoker (trying to quit) so really want to limit radiation as much as possible or avoid it all together.

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  • lsharvey822
    lsharvey822 Member Posts: 257
    edited March 2012
    Not sure where you are mrkffr11 but I just talked to someone else that says they  will do the 5 day on <50 just outside of Philadelphia.  I'll keep you posted.  I too don't know how I can accomodate the longer radiation.  I guess I'll try if I have to but don't know if I can get my work to conform to that and can't lose my employment or I'll lose my insurance obviously.
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