Rads after lumectomy for dcis

Rads reduces your risk of reoccurance by 50%.  For some people (younger, higher grade, larger tumors) that 50% reduction is of greater benefit that it is for others.  If, for example, your risk of reoccurance is 20%, a reduction to 10% may be worth it  (a reduction of 10%).  Where someone with a lower reoccurance risk (older, lower grade, small tumor, good margins) the benefit from rads might be a reduction  from 5% - 2.5%....only a reduction of 2.5%.  And you have to weigh that against the risk of complications.   A reduction of 2.5% may be worth it to some, may not to others.  You also need to consider your personal medical history and attitude toward risk.

I struggled with the Rads decision.  I had pretty much decided not to get it, until my RO talked to me about partial breast radiation.  It was a way to reduce my risk of reoccurance by targetting the direct tumor area (which is most likely where a reoccurance would be), and still reducing the potential side effects of the radiation.  It was 2x per day for 5 days.  I know this is not an option for everyone as external partial breast radiation is still relatively new and in clinical trials in many places. 

I would encourage you to meet with a RO before making a final decision to understand the risks/benefits and options for your specific situation.

J9W - I believe that is true.  I skipped rads after my lumpectomy for DCIS with the oncs blessing.  I kind of thought I would like to keep that weapon up my sleeve - hopefully I won't ever need it.  Fingers and toes crossed. xx

I didn't have another mammo post lumpectomy as the surgeon said it would look like a bit of a car crash in there (lovely).

I did get passed on to an RO as apparently it had to be the job of the RO to tell me that I didn't need rads, the surgeon thought I didn't but as she said, she's a surgeon and I needed to be told it by an RO.

The way my doctors presented it was this:

Surgeon:  There is some discussion that DCIS doesn't need to be treated but frankly, it's too early for the results to be in yet.  What we do know is that with treatment, the cure rate is incredibly high.  Lumpectomy, rads and tamoxifen is what I'd want for my mother and/or wife.

Radiation Oncologist:  Radiation is optional but what I'd recommend.

Oncologist:  Tamoxifen won't increase your life, it will keep you from recurrance.  If you get breast cancer again, we'll catch it and deal with it again.

On another board, two women tell me they were diagnosed with DCIS years ago and treated by doctors who poo-pooed their disease.  They've both recently had masectomies and both their oncologists feel that had they had doctors who took their DCIS seriously (five and seven years ago) they wouldn't have been back.

Personally, I want to get this over with once and for all.  Treatment will be a pain (just finished my first week of rads) but I'd rather do it now and get it done than worry or go through more.