Breast Radiation and Melanoma treatment

Veeder14 · February 2018

I found out that I had breast cancer after I already had treatment for melanoma in my leg last year. Apparently, I already had the breast cancer but it was small and didn't show up on MRI until after melanoma surgery.

Does anyone know if there are complications with getting radiation now since I had melanoma even though it's to a different body part? Melanoma usually appears as a skin cancer but can also first appear in internal organs and go systemic. I sure don't want to wake up those cells again. Has anyone been in this situation?

Georgia1 · February 2018

Hi Veeder. I had malignant melanoma several years ago, so asked that question when I developed breast cancer. There's no reason not to do radiation, or hormone treatment for that matter.

There is one theory that the two kinds of cancer share a genetic link, so you might look into genetic testing if you are curious or see multiple cases in your family. In my case I decided not to do it since my MO said with my family history the two are probably unrelated.

Veeder14 · February 2018

Thanks Georgia1 for getting back to me. Just wanted to check because the Melanoma was worse than this cancer. I know I'm BRAC2 and they said both Melanoma and Breast cancer and one other type I was high risk for. Before I barely got the results back I had both cancers, ugh.

How much time are you on the table each treatment? I'm thinking ahead, but I live 2 hours from the hospital so would have to get temporary housing, commuting is not an option at least daily.

Georgia1 · February 2018

Good morning. You should allow an hour just because of changing clothes, checking in and out, and delays. But the treatment itself is five minutes. For sure ask the RO if you can do four weeks instead of six.

Veeder14 · February 2018

Thanks Georgia1,

Glad to hear the treatment is only 5 minutes, so maybe I'd be on the table 10 minutes or so, that I could do. My back and neck problems/pain have been awful from all the MRI's, surgery, etc. I was worried about stressing out my back 5 days per week for several weeks at a time.

I'll definitely ask for a month rather than 6 weeks because I'll have to be staying at a hotel near the hospital for all that time. It's going to be expensive, plus being away from my PT/OT and home. The shorter the better.

How has your skin been so far? I'm reading the posts about patients that get horrible blistering and open sores which sounds scary.

DodgersGirl · February 2018

Veeder14- I was one of those who wrote about skin breaking down at the end of rads. If it were to happen to you, it is temporary. By a week after rads, skin was healing nicely and all there, no broken down spots. It was not a fun 2 weeks but in the end, it was over quickly. Must people don’t endure the skin break down and many are barely pink to red. You can do this. Oh, I have a bad back and neck, they put a bolster under my knees to help while flat on my vack

Georgia1 · February 2018

Veeder, I was lucky enough to have only 15 sessions over 3 weeks, and my skin just got itchy and red towards the end. Like a lot of the women on these boards I used calendula cream and I think it helped quite a bit.

Veeder14 · February 2018

Good to hear only 15 sessions, and your skin held up. I'll let you guys know what my treatment plan is when I get it.

Veeder14 · February 2018

Hi DodgersGirl,

Thanks for your comments and the encouragement. I always worry about my back/neck problems and keeping with my workout schedule so I don't loose fitness. I know it's weird but just hoping I still wear work out tops if the skin isn't too irritated. It's good to know that your skin healed quickly.

Breast Radiation and Melanoma treatment

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