Axilla targetted - how far down your arm got "hit"?

Jennt28 · June 2012

I only started rads on Tuesday this week and have done 3 out of a planned 28 treatments. Tenderness and skin involvement started right after the first treatment!

Since I had axilla involvement and didn't have a clearance I am getting axilla to level II nodes targeted (but not supraclavicular). Today since I can now clearly feel the treatment field (ow, sore!) I have realised that the inside of my right upper arm, to about a third of the way down to my elbow is being hit. This seems like a LOT of my arm.

The RO did show me the plan quickly on Wednesday but I was so worried about seeing how much of my right lung (16% at V20) and heart (4 grey) are being hit that I didn't look at that area.

Anyone else who had axilla rads have that much of your arm involved in the field?

Jenn

coraleliz · June 2012

I had RADs to the axilla because I didn't have an ALND. I also had chestwall?clavicular? I forget the terminology. Maybe that's a good thing. Smile As for my armpit. It never got as red or as uncomfortable as my chest. The hair in the lower 35% of my armpit has not grown back. I don't think my arms(had bilat RADs) further out got zapped. Certainly not 1/3 the way to my elbow. Ask the techs to explain to you what area is getting zapped.

They might be doing something different in Australia. In the back of my mind, I remember reading something about some differences.

Jennt28 · June 2012

Thanks. One of the reasons I am not getting supraclavicular is because the added risk of lymphodema and brachial plexopathy did not make it worthwhile. If the nerves in my inner arm and my arm are now getting targetted it would still make the risk for those really high - which is why I am concerned.

Can't see my RO again until next Wednesday...

Jenn

Axilla targetted - how far down your arm got "hit"?

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