Can radiation be done without clear margins?

Options
thesedays
thesedays Member Posts: 9
edited November 2017 in Radiation Therapy - Before, During, and After

LONG story made short: I had a lumpectomy and sentinel node dissection on 10/31, and a re-excision on 11/14 because they found a microscopic spot on the margin, along with two micromets in the sentinel node, both of them too small to be classified as a metastasis.


Anyway, I don't have the results from the second surgery yet, and I'm wondering if radiation can be done without clear margins. Has anyone done this and what were your results? I haven't had my oncology consultation yet and can't seem to find any information about this elsewhere. I just do not want to have surgery again.


I have IDC, 2.9cm at the biggest diameter but most of that was basically a thread. The cancer was found on a mammogram and too small to palpate through my skin. It's also ER+, PR+, HER-, and low grade, so I do have an excellent prognosis as of right now.

· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • Teach70
    Teach70 Member Posts: 64
    edited November 2017

    Yes, it can be done. I had a positive posterior margin with my lumpectomy and my BS said to do a re-excision wouldnt change things because she scraped to the muscle. My RO said he has seen several cases like this over the years and I had no problem getting radiation. I just finished yesterday 25 whole breast and 5 boosts to the tumor bed. I was originally going to do the IORT but couldnt do it due to the margin. I will be taking Tamoxifen soon and this will help to combat it as well.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • thesedays
    thesedays Member Posts: 9
    edited November 2017

    I asked about IORT, and my surgeon said they don't do it here and I wouldn't have been a candidate for it anyway.


    Thanks for your response!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • thesedays
    thesedays Member Posts: 9
    edited November 2017

    The doctor's office just called.


    I had clear margins. YEEEEE-HAAAAAAAA!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited November 2017

    Great news, Thesedays!

    We look forward to supporting you as you continue your treatment journey. Please keep us posted on how you're doing!

    --The Mods

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Legomaster225
    Legomaster225 Member Posts: 672
    edited November 2017

    Happy for you!! Best wishes with yourradiation.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Categories