do I need radiation

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mhtan
mhtan Member Posts: 1
edited June 2014 in Stage I Breast Cancer

I am going through chemo on my own and just need some advice/comments.   I was diagnosed with StageIIB cancer.  My sentinnel node came by clear; however, my tumor size was initially 2.5cm but after the mastectomy showed that the total residual tumor measured 5.8 cm.   I'm going through ajuvant chemo now and am going on my third cycle.   I don't want to do the radiation if it's not necessary.  If I had a mastectomy and no nodes involved and going through chemo do I really need the radiation.   Any thoughts/advice?

 I'm with the military but since I'm overseas in Korea I'm going to a Korean hospital and hard to understand my oncologist.

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  • ruthbru
    ruthbru Member Posts: 57,235
    edited August 2012

    If they recommend radiation, do it. Compared to chemo, it is a piece of cake. It is only a few weeks out of the rest of your life, and if it prevents you from ever having to play this game again, it is well worth it!

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  • proudtospin
    proudtospin Member Posts: 5,972
    edited August 2012

    I am sure it is hard to understand and make decsion when language is dif.  I would agree with Ruth, if it is recommended, then do it.  Radiation is not that terrible

    best of luck

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  • mamabee
    mamabee Member Posts: 546
    edited August 2012

    I think the standard of care is to have radiation if your tumor is larger than 5 cm, even if your nodes were clear, so they may recommend radiation. I agree with the other women - do the radiation if it's recommended.

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  • Jennt28
    Jennt28 Member Posts: 2,021
    edited August 2012

    Make sure you understand what sort of statistical benefit radiation is going to give you and whether that benefit outweighs the risks. Radiotherapy is not risk free and does not "gaurantee" that cancer will not come back.



    Google the NCI guidelines to start with and try and find a doctor you can consult with that speaks English and is at a large teaching hospital.



    http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/treatment/breast



    Radiotherapy is usually not recommended after mastectomy with clear margins and node negative but is recommended for any woman who has lumpectomy.



    regards Jenn



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  • momof3boys
    momof3boys Member Posts: 896
    edited August 2012

    I did a BMX with reconstruction, chemo and radiation. Got 4 opinions on the radiation. My RO explained that the risk of local recurrence is very different than distant recurrence (I had a low Oncotype score) and the most likely place for recurrence is just underneath the incisional scar. So, since my ILC tumor was just over 4cm, they recommended it, and I did it.

    I did research he risks and long term risks and SE. But, something one of the RO's said to m when I brought up potential future cancers "But, you have a known cancer now, let's make sure we eradicate that" That made sense to me....

    I know it's a tough decision, good luck.

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  • coraleliz
    coraleliz Member Posts: 1,523
    edited August 2012

    RADs was reccomended for me & I had a bilateral mastectomy. I had bilateral tumors. On one side I had 2 positive nodes & opted not to have further nodes taken out. On the other side I had LVI(lymphatic vascular invasion) but no positive nodes. Both scenarios led to me getting bilateral radiation.

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