Brachytherapy after whole-breast radiation

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soldatov
soldatov Member Posts: 10
edited June 2014 in DCIS (Ductal Carcinoma In Situ)
Brachytherapy after whole-breast radiation
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  • soldatov
    soldatov Member Posts: 10
    edited May 2012

    Hello to all of you girls,

    after reading the org site about the subject, I can only found that for DCIS there is either whole breast radiation or brachytherapy.

    I have a problem then: because I had the lumpectomy, I started on 13.April the whole breast radiation which will go on to 18.May, and last friday my radiologist told me I will need to do brachytherapy after this date. And we set the date for 31.May.

    But - why both ? Has any of you had these two treatments?

    She said, because my DCIS is particularly malignant ("sehr boese" as they say here in Austria).

    I have to decide if I want internal or external, and I really dont know. My highest priority is - get rid of it as much as possible as accurately as possible !!! (whatever the system used)

    Any thoughts /experiences /advice, out there in the wide world?

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  • slousha
    slousha Member Posts: 312
    edited May 2012

    HI Nela,

    Could it be possible that is meaning  25 whole breast radiation and 5 boosts (Aufsaettigung des Tumorbereiches) ,

    I'm sending you a PM about!

    Greetings

    Usha

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  • soldatov
    soldatov Member Posts: 10
    edited May 2012

    Could be , don't know. Thanks!

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  • gumshoe
    gumshoe Member Posts: 248
    edited May 2012

    Hi Nela,



    We have a similar diagnosis. I'm going to be having a mastectomy, but when I was considering radiation, the radiologist recommended 16 cycles of whole breast radiation. There was no mention of brachytherapy.



    I can only guess that the treatment there is different than the treatment here in Canada?



    Best of luck with your information search!

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  • Shayne
    Shayne Member Posts: 1,500
    edited May 2012

    Hmmm.....that sounds strange.  Brachy needs to be done within 2 weeks of surgery - as the cavity needs to still be open to allow for the procedure device to be inserted.  I urge you to research who does brachytherapy in your area and make an appt to talk to someone.  

    I just had an appt with a Radiation Oncologist who specializes in brachy - they also offer external rad too - and he spent 2 hrs discussing my options, what to expect, and the statistics on brachy vs external.  Im choosing brachy for many reasons, mainly bc my cancer is v small and I want my radiation to be localized, and the fact that it is 5 days was also very appealing.  

    But before you make any decisions, go see a specialist - and make sure to ask how many they have done and how long they have been doing this procedure.  You can also check out my docs website which is at arizona breast cancer specialists . com 

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  • redsox
    redsox Member Posts: 523
    edited May 2012

    Brachytherapy can be used for the boost treatment after whole breast radiation treatment is completed.  That pattern is unusual in the USA but it may be more common in other countries.

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  • soldatov
    soldatov Member Posts: 10
    edited May 2012

    Hi Shayne, looks like Usha was right: it is a boost. I asked my radiologist and my oncologist.

    But how many they have done so far... do not know. They use Varian machines, so much I do know.

    Concerning is what you say: within two weeks of op? Mine was 28.Feb, and the brachy is scheduled now , 31.May...

     Good night! And thank you all.

    Nela.

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  • Shayne
    Shayne Member Posts: 1,500
    edited May 2012

    Hey Nela!  Great news!  Im sure it is a different procedure than Im going to have.....  the United States is a bit behind in medical field.  Youre in a good place!  Post later on how it all goes!  Im very interested!

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  • soldatov
    soldatov Member Posts: 10
    edited May 2012

    Hello Shayne, I was just going to switch off and go to sleep - and I saw your post Cool

    In 4 days time I go to hospital, and next day I have that brachytherapy - boost.

    I looked closer on the last day of the rads (last week) and the radiation machine is called "Varian Clinac". Anyway, my skin is ok, only a bit of discoloration, but not sore or burning or hurting, or broken skin. All ok. And I had it for 5 weeks.

    It is only the machine itself broke down a couple of times :-)

     Good night (or good morning maybe, for you...) - will keep you posted how it goes.

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