Hypofractionated radiation therapy

I am by no means petite (I’m short but zaftig), but I had hypofractionated rads--16 treatments, no boosts (because, basically, they’re all boosts). My RO told me I was a candidate because my tumor was small, Luminal A, node-negative, located off to the side and I’m over 60. (He was part of a recent trial that showed that for those women over 60 with tumors like mine, partial-breast hypofractionated rads to the tumor bed resulted in survival rates identical to whole-breast regular-dose rads).

Me too. As ChiSandy pointed out, your cancer has to fall within certain guidelines, but as far as I can tell, this is becoming the standard treatment for those for whom it is technically appropriate. This approach is not that new, and oodles of encouraging statistics have been published. If you are concerned, do gently grill your RO, and maybe seek a second opinion from someone in another practice as well.

This thread prompted me to research more about hypofractionated radiation therapy. It seems like the eligibility criteria are;

• age 50 or older
• node negative and the cancer has been removed with lumpectomy
• no prior chemotherapy

I am 41 and had chemotherapy.... How old are you ladies and did you have chemo?

I was in my late sixties with 10 isolated cells in one of two sentinel nodes, which is technically considered node negative.

Grey, perhaps you might post on one of the Canadian threads, as this approach has been done there for quite a while longer than here.

Positivepower: I am also treated at a top hospital (Dana Farber in Boston). May I ask you your age?

And I am starting 10 days after finisihing chemo.

Heidi I did not I know another RO who is also very well established ( friend) who had also suggested that 3 weeks plus a boost is now the way to go and gives better results. I was just happy with the 3 weeks and am happy to get done with it.

However, I was warned that they are not sure about the lymphedmia as the trial has not studied if the risk is increased or not and I am hoping not.

Heidi, to find the Canadian threads, go to "All Topics" in the box at the upper left, then scroll down to the Community section.

I was very interested to read what you all had to say about this treatment plan. I have met with two different RO's. All of my treatment up till now has been away from home (4 1/2 hrs). However the radiation schedule complicates the traveling. But my family & I are willing to do so if we feel that means better care. I do not want to go through this again. So the RO at my treating facility is recommending 6 weeks of radiation (5 weeks with 1 week boost). They would be using the breath hold technique & would incl the intermammary lymph nodes. She said they are particularly aggressive with me being triple negative. Today we met with a ro here at home. He is recommending 4 weeks (3 weeks with 1 week boost), no breath hold, & the intermammary would only be what just does fall into the field. He said he's been using this for several years now. Based off the Canadian studies. And it is what he uses on most of his patients. My cancer was on the right side so the breath hold may not be as important. My dx was idc stage 3 with positive lymph nodes. The original tumor was 5.8 cm. I have already done my chemo. And I am 3 weeks post surgery (bilateral mastectomy with axillary lymph node dissection). I did have pCr !!! . And I am triple negative. I have read through a couple articles in regard to the Canadian study & it seems like there is something to the 4 week treatment. But ... I didn't see anywhere that it said anything about triple negative. Big decision. Interested in your thoughts. Thank you.

Grey, so glad you could see your rad onc.

BTW, I had rads on my left breast and did the breathing thing. I think its call gated breathing. This is to protect your heart. Did really well with it. This is a great thread.

2 more boosters to go and then that's all! didn't anticipate having to get 2 more dot tats for the boosters... total of 6. have an annoying rash under my arm. can't wait to shave again... in a few weeks