Size of radiation field?

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upstater15
upstater15 Member Posts: 17
edited October 2015 in Radiation Therapy - Before, During, and After

Hi all...had both my "dry run" and first treatment today. the whole thing was a little chaotic and quick, and I didn't get any time with the dr., but was surprised to see the tech draw a gigantic purple perimeter demarcating my "radiation field". It includes the entirety of my breast, about an inch above and below it, up my side, and above my my armpit scar from the SNB. Both nodes taken were negative, so I was surprised to see any of the armpit included in the radiation field. I thought the whole point of radiation was to deliver a precise, targeted, well localized dose. I am a little freaked out by the size of this radiation field. I intend to ask the dr. about it tomorrow when I go in for treatment #2 of 33 (I specifically asked for time with him tomorrow before I left--he was unavailable then). But wondering if anyone else had this experience.

Thanks...

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  • BC2015
    BC2015 Member Posts: 86
    edited October 2015

    yes, I had a small tumor .5mm in axillary right next to sentinel node (4 taken)and my entire rt breast to sternum, above and below, was radiated along with blasts to tumor bed which was also SNB bed.

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited October 2015

    My tumor was also small with no node involvement and the entire right breast was radiated (28) plus 5 boosts to tumor site (upper left quadrant in right breast).

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  • ORknitter
    ORknitter Member Posts: 119
    edited October 2015

    Sounds a lot like mine though I didn't have any lymph nodes taken. When he outlined the area I was shocked at the size under my arm! It went way beyond my "pit" towards my back & lower. Then when the machine started I completely understood. I was also very fortunate to have very few side effects, just a bit pink

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  • upstater15
    upstater15 Member Posts: 17
    edited October 2015

    Thanks for the replies...

    Sounds like you had the same experience ORKnitter...

    Hope to gain some clarity this morning...

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