How long can you wait to start rads after surgery?

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mellee
mellee Member Posts: 434
edited February 2017 in Radiation Therapy - Before, During, and After

I had a BMX on November 8 and have had complications healing. I'm almost 3 months from surgery at this point! In the meantime, I've started to reconsider whether I should do rads (initially thought no, but a second RO consult has me rethinking it as "insurance").

I understand that radiation is most effective soon after surgery (usually starting within 3-6 weeks). Does anyone know at what point it's less effective? Am I already moving outside that zone? If so, I'm less inclined to do it (and I'm already not sure).

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  • Freya244117
    Freya244117 Member Posts: 603
    edited January 2017

    I had surgery, then chemo and then started rads. So roughly about 6 months from surgery before rads started for me. I have no idea if there is an optimal time to start, but I'm sure someone will come along with more information for you.

    Best wishes.

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  • MinusTwo
    MinusTwo Member Posts: 16,634
    edited January 2017

    Mellee - I had chemo, then surgery, then needed more chemo after surgical healing. So rads didn't start until more than 5 months after surgery.

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  • Spookiesmom
    Spookiesmom Member Posts: 9,568
    edited January 2017

    I had chemo, surgery, then rads. Seems like was 2-3 weeks after surgery. Nobody wants to do it, you're worn out from all the treatment prior. But most of us feel it's worth it to blast any remaining cells.

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  • Kicks
    Kicks Member Posts: 4,131
    edited January 2017

    I started rads a week after last adjuvant chemo (12 weekly Taxol). Had done 4 DD A/C neoadjuvant, 2 weeks later UMX, 3 weeks later adjuvant Taxol.

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  • mellee
    mellee Member Posts: 434
    edited January 2017

    Thanks for all the responses! Anyone have to wait for rads who didn't do chemo?

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  • nem126
    nem126 Member Posts: 109
    edited January 2017

    I had my surgery a little over 2 weeks ago, and I was just told yesterday that I needed to wait another 2 weeks for the oncotype results before I can even meet with my oncologist and discuss a treatment plan. At that point I'll be at least 1 month post surgery and then who knows when I'll actually get the appointment to start rads.... it's a little frustrating. I'm not sure how long is safe to wait if you aren't getting chemo in the meantime. If anyone has input on that, it would be good to know!!

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  • OAJ2013
    OAJ2013 Member Posts: 85
    edited February 2017

    I had a bilateral mastectomy in October with expanders put in. My right breast kept getting infections, and I had to have the expander removed. Then, I still had to have my left breast completely filled. I am finally starting radiation tomorrow. It's been a super long wait. My RO wanted me to start awhile ago, but this is as soon as I could get going with everything that happened. Not sure how this will affect everything. Good luck

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  • LynnieRich
    LynnieRich Member Posts: 28
    edited February 2017

    I had neoadjuvant chemo then surgery Dec 21. I will not be starting rads until after a vacation I'm taking Feb12-16. So that'll be about two months after surgery. They seemed a little apprehensive about it but ultimately said it was OK for me to go on the vacation (I have a non-refundable flight booked). They didn't say that it wouldn't be effective if I waited too long... just that they wanted to zap any remaining cells sooner rather than later. BUT I had a lumpectomy so my case could be totally different

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  • mellee
    mellee Member Posts: 434
    edited February 2017

    Thanks again for the responses! Good luck to everyone with your treatments.

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  • OAJ2013
    OAJ2013 Member Posts: 85
    edited February 2017

    I ended up emailing my dr since you got to thinking about the success rate with delayed radiation. She responded with the following:

    Studies show a delay >16 weeks can lead to lower local control rates.

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  • mellee
    mellee Member Posts: 434
    edited February 2017

    Thanks so much OAJ2013! That is extremely helpful.

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