Breast radiation a second time

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Chloe2
Chloe2 Member Posts: 40
edited May 2017 in Radiation Therapy - Before, During, and After

Hello, I am looking to hear from women who have had rads twice. I had radiation in 2013 for DCIS intermediate grade and on Tuesday just had a lumpectomy and may be facing rads again in the opposite breast for DCIS high grade. I am waiting for the pathology report to verify that it is indeed DCIS as there is some question about the possibility of it being invasive. I had a horrible experience with rads the 1st time and am wondering if I have made the right decision choosing lumpectomy again.

Thank you in advance

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

    I have only had one set of rads (25 - 7+ yrs ago). Dr P.told me that once an area has been irradiated it can not be done again.

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  • Chloe2
    Chloe2 Member Posts: 40
    edited April 2017

    Thank you for the reply. I now have cancer in the opposite breast which can be radiated. Just not so sure I am making the right decision

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  • VickiJo
    VickiJo Member Posts: 2
    edited April 2017

    You have to do what you feel is best for you.  I decided after a second biopsy one year after my lumpectomy that if I had cancer of the breast again, I would do bilateral mastectomy.  Fortunately, the second biopsy was negative so I didn't actually have to go through with that decision.  It would be a hard decision for me but I still think for peace of mind, I would do that. 

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  • cindyanne
    cindyanne Member Posts: 44
    edited April 2017

    I had a lumpectomy and radiation 12 years ago. Diagnosed in November 2016 with 6cm ER-PR-HER+++ in same breast. Double mastectomy and am now undergoing chemo. It may be possible that I will be doing radiation a second time in the same area. I will find out for certain next week. I am not looking forward to it but if it increases my chances for survival I will certainly do it again.

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

    Clynn - sorry I misread. Thought you were looking at a seco d round of rads on the sMe area as before.

    My DX is very different than yours. IF I were to need any TX in the future, I would do all that was offered today me for the battle. I did have very bad Burks that started the day (early March) after last rad (have the scars to prove it). It was June 29 when the last scab came off. I now know what finally healed it all (the entire irradiated area) was Domeboro soaks. If faced with needing Rads again, I do all that is offered to me for TX. IF that should happen, I now know what will 'work' (for me at least) to heal the burns (if happened).

    I don't believe in second guessing any decision we make. It's made and there is no way to know if a different decision would have been different in 'outcome' - be it 'better' or 'not so good'.

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  • elise24601
    elise24601 Member Posts: 155
    edited April 2017

    Hi kicks - I have a similar diagnosis to you, very glad you are still around! I burned badly with radiation too. I finished about 5 weeks ago and still have discoloration where I lost skin - when will it go away or is it permanant? Do lotions help?


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  • ceanna
    ceanna Member Posts: 5,270
    edited April 2017

    Clynn, I don't have experience with second round rads, but have you looked into brachytherapy--a localized form of internal radiation. Many centers offer but there are specific qualifications to meet before being eligible. Since this occurrence is a different breast, you may qualify.

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  • cindyanne
    cindyanne Member Posts: 44
    edited May 2017

    So I met with the RO yesterday. It seems I am an unusual case. I had radiation the same breast over twelve years ago. To confuse the situation more I also had a lymph node dissection. Radiation this time could improve my risk of recurrence by 70 per cent. Reasons are because the tumor was at least 6cm and there was extensive lympho vascular invasion. I am OK with the radiation again but the tough decision is whether we want to include the mammary lymph nodes and the regional lymph nodes. These are the nodes going up your neck and under your chest wall. Even though my one lonely remaining lymph node was negative the worry is the extensive lympho vascular invasion. I did well with the previous radiation but including all of the nodes increases lung and heart risks as well as lymphedema.

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