Accelerated Radiation

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lambma
lambma Member Posts: 11
edited November 2015 in Radiation Therapy - Before, During, and After

Has anyone had Accelerated Radiation? I met with my Dr. today and he recommends 3 weeks of Accelerated Radiation vs. the standard 6 weeks of treatment. It sounds like a great option (shorter time period), but I'm curious about any downsides to this option. I appreciate any input you can provide.

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  • Cowgirl13
    Cowgirl13 Member Posts: 1,936
    edited October 2015

    I did the 3 weeks (I think it was 19 rounds) and it was terrific. Much, much easier. Got for it!! also, i didn't have any problems with my skin.


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  • lambma
    lambma Member Posts: 11
    edited October 2015

    Thanks for the info Cowgirl! I'm glad you had a good experience with this option.

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  • ICanDoThis
    ICanDoThis Member Posts: 1,473
    edited October 2015

    I had 1 week accelerated -- definitely recommend the shorter period -- much easier on the skin, and it is so good to be DONE


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  • marijen
    marijen Member Posts: 3,731
    edited June 2016

    Is it shorter but stronger?

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  • littlejukie
    littlejukie Member Posts: 13
    edited October 2015

    Hello,

    I have been DX with IDC in left breast and I will have lumpectomy Oct 29, and sentinel node biopsy. I have been told I will have to have radiation. I was told about the 3 week option and that sounds good to me. Is it 7 days a week. Also, did you get tired? I work for a bank and it is stressful and I was wondering if I could take medical leave during that time. I will have a commute of 40 minutes each way. Also,how long are you there for treatment?

    Thanks,


    Julie

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  • ChiSandy
    ChiSandy Member Posts: 12,133
    edited October 2015

    AFAIK, RT (full or external partial) is given only M-F and not on Fed. holidays like Christmas or Thanksgiving. I will be getting external partial accelerated RT, the 3 wks+1 day protocol (Kellogg Cancer Ctr. doesn’t offer IORT or brachytherapy). I was also told by my RO that both fatigue and skin irritation is much milder than the full monty (and I might not get any fatigue at all). I was also told that most people can drive themselves to & from treatments. (My commute is 20-30 min, ea. way, dep. on traffic). I’m retired, but my hospital has early and late appointments to fit still-working patients’ schedules-as do most hospitals’ cancer centers.

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  • marijen
    marijen Member Posts: 3,731
    edited June 2016

    please tell me how to qualify for AR

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  • KittyL
    KittyL Member Posts: 30
    edited October 2015

    I was told at my initial RT consult that I was a candidate for Accelerated Therapy. Marijen, I was told whether or not you are a candidate for accelerated RT is based on your body size, so not everyone is a good candidate for this form of RT.

    I am concerned whether the higher-intensity beams are actually harder on the skin than the lower-intensity beams. On standard treatment regime, I think he said 21 whole breast and 4 boosts to the tumor bed.

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  • marijen
    marijen Member Posts: 3,731
    edited September 2016

    so what body size do you need for AR

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  • Brutersmom
    Brutersmom Member Posts: 563
    edited October 2015

    The first RO I saw said I need 6 weeks with a boost. He went on vacation when it was time to get started and I saw a different RO who I really liked. He suggest I consider the 3 weeks with a boost because I was healthy and active. I am also working full time. I just finished 16 days with some skin irritation but no broken skin but this past weekend the fatigue really hit me. I have 4 more days of boost and I am done. If you can do the accelerated I would say do it.

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  • marijen
    marijen Member Posts: 3,731
    edited September 2016

    Brutersmom, how to qualify for accelerated. Do you know? I don't think I'll survive the six weeks

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  • lambma
    lambma Member Posts: 11
    edited October 2015

    Marijen, I recommend you ask your RO about the requirements. I remember my Dr. listed off several of the qualifying factors, but the only one I remember was "small breasts".

    Winking

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  • CAMommy
    CAMommy Member Posts: 437
    edited October 2015

    I had the Canadian method which was 16 rads plus 5 boosts, but apparently he did 21 integrated boosts instead. It was very nice only going 21 times to the center vs 28 or 33. But I burned like a devil. I'm did have higher individual doses but less overall. Did I mention I burned? I probably would have burned anyway. I also got bad nausea, but they gave me an rx that fixed that up. I'm so glad that's behind me.

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  • ChristineT
    ChristineT Member Posts: 29
    edited October 2015

    I've just finished my first week of the accelerated radiation 3 weeks + 1 day. So far skin is good no pinkness just sore around the incision

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  • cuddyclothes
    cuddyclothes Member Posts: 160
    edited November 2015

    I see that this thread has become obsolete, but I wanted to share my experience.

    Good: getting through it SO much faster! Many of the women I wait with are having 6-7 weeks. And I love my RO. He is funny and explains things well.

    Bad: terrible side effects faster. Fatigue, mental fogginess, loss of balance (but I have a pre-existing balance condition), but only mild skin issues. I asked my RO if this was normal and he said yes. The fatigue will last for a while, and the skin problems will mostly come after radiation.

    But I'd still choose it over the longer rads.

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