Radiation Oncologist says no to radiation. Is he wrong ?

Jinx27
Jinx27 Member Posts: 238
edited April 2016 in Radiation Therapy - Before, During, and After

Hello All,

I'm approaching the end of chemo and met today with a radiation oncologist for a consult. Before my surgery I and all of the doctors I worked with said I would need radiation. No questions asked.

Now fast forward to today my consult with the rad onc says he thinks radiation is overtreatment! He also encouraged me to seek other opinions. He said if I wanted radiation I could get it but surgery really removed everything. No cancer cells near the skin. He also placed me at a lower stage then the oncologist did!!

He also stated the radiation is like a one shot deal in that the body won't react to radiation the second time around if I have a recurrence.

My chance of recurrence is 5 to 7 percent according to the doctor.

Has anyone heard or experienced this? I'm soo confused.


· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • Tinkerbells
    Tinkerbells Member Posts: 211
    edited April 2016

    I went to major cancer center and had similar experience. Rads Onc said no radiation. I asked for it to appear before tumor board. Unanimous decision- no rads. But my positive node was in my breast, not in the axilla. My understanding was that I did not need radiation for that reason- nothing there to radiate. I did get second opinion- perhaps you should, too, for peace of mind. You could also ask for case to be presented to tumor board. Best of luck to you

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • SpecialK
    SpecialK Member Posts: 16,486
    edited April 2016

    I had BMX with excellent margins, and ALND surgery five weeks later. I did not require rads either, despite 2 pos nodes. If I had not had axillary clearance I would have needed radiation

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Hopeful82014
    Hopeful82014 Member Posts: 3,480
    edited April 2016

    I'd definitely seek a 2nd opinion, probably at a different institution.

    Unless you had ALND, I'd be concerned about leaving the nodes unradiated, even after chemo.

    If you have a particularly good relationship with either your BS or MO you might run all this by them, too.


    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Jinx27
    Jinx27 Member Posts: 238
    edited April 2016

    Hello ladies,

    I forgot to mention I had a SNB and ALND. The SNB proved that 3 out of 36 nodes were positive. The ALND showed no positive nodes. Im going to definitely seek a second opinion. its kinda good news but Im still thinking about the chances of a local recurrence.

    One never stops worrying in the cancer game!

    My oncologist want to prescribe aromatase inhibitors and ovarian suppression as well. He really thinks that the 5 year endocrine therapy is enough...

    we'll see.

    Thank you for your help ladies, any other opinions are welcomed!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • 7of9
    7of9 Member Posts: 833
    edited April 2016

    I had two clear sentinel nodes, no rads, just tamoxifen after surgery and neo-adjunct chemo. I had some nodes that looked suspect in the axilla prior to treatment/surgery.

    I was diagnosed with recurrence in axillary node pocket 3.5 years later. The RO had said no radiation but since I didn't let them biopsy the suspects first, he stood firm. Kicking myself now...

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Denise-G
    Denise-G Member Posts: 1,777
    edited April 2016

    I would seek a second opinion as well...at a different institution.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Categories