Accelerated Partial Breast Radiation method

Options

I had a lumpectomy with SNB a month ago. Negative nodes. My RO offered me three choices - APBI (twice a day for one week), the Canadian protocol (4 weeks) or what he called the "gold standard" of six weeks whole breast radiation.

I'm leaning toward APBI, but have more questions for my next meeting with the RO. I haven't found any comments on this board from anyone who has had this option using either 3D conformal or intensity modualted radiotherapy. I need to ask my RO if it will be 3D conformal, IMRT or both. The center offers both and their website mentions that they sometimes use them together, and the center also is running a clinical trial comparing them.

I know ABPI is still in clinical trials. My RO said predicted outcomes for me are very similar among the three choices - it's a matter of preference based on length of radiation, the question of commuting to the center twice a day for a week vs. once a day for four or six weeks, etc.

My MO expressed much more enthusiasm for APBI than my RO did - he didn't seem to want to influence me among the three. She (the MO) said if I have the APBI, I have the option of radiation in the same breast again if it recurs. That wasn't the only point she mentioned, but I don't remember hearing that from the RO.

Any input about these options would be welcomed!


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