How long is a Course of radiation for axillary nodes?

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B-A-P
B-A-P Member Posts: 525
edited March 2019 in Radiation Therapy - Before, During, and After

Hi everyone,

I had my follow up with my surgeon today and the results were great! No disease left in the breast and only 1/3 nodes were positive in the axilla. So now she said "It appears you are cancer free!" Amazing. My team is going for curative despite the stage. So far, so good.

I had a feeling about only the node being positive because that's what the PET showed in December. I had two more cycles of chemo after the scan but it seems like it didn't totally kill off the node. But that's okay. My surgeon said to expect that my Radiation oncologist is going to want to radiate the axilla only. I was wondering if anyone has had this and if the course is shorter because of the area? How long is a typical course ?


Thanks!

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  • letsgogolf
    letsgogolf Member Posts: 263
    edited March 2019

    I had my nodes radiated along with the breast radiation which was 28 treatments. The other 8 were to the tumor bed only. They did all nodes with the exception of the internal mammary.

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  • gb2115
    gb2115 Member Posts: 1,894
    edited March 2019

    I had 6 weeks of radiation, including the nodes. I also had breast radiation so I don't know if it's different when they only target the nodes.

    They might go after your supraclavicular nodes too.

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  • Fritzmylove
    Fritzmylove Member Posts: 330
    edited March 2019

    My breast tumor was completely dead after chemo, but still had positive nodes. I was told I’ll still get chest wall and axilla rads for 5-7 weeks starting this April.

    BTW I want an MO as positive as yours! Saying you’re cancer free and going for a cure!! Amazing! Mine doesn’t seem to want to use those words, yet tells me to be optimistic.

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  • B-A-P
    B-A-P Member Posts: 525
    edited March 2019

    Fritz- Yes they were really sketchy in the beginning with even mentioning curative or cancer free. It was my surgeon who said cancer free, but I think my One would say NED. But I responded so well to neoadjuvant chemo that they said " 10 years ago the scanners would have never seen that met so we have to wonder how many women were like you and we just didn't know it , and they've gone on to be okay or be disease free for a really extended period " So instead if treating me palliatively, they said they are going to treat me like they would a woman with a lower stage, but aggressively. That is why I ended up with a mx after chemo. If I hadn't responded they wouldn't have bothered. They said "Ypu're an exceptional case, we were scared for you"

    So I'm pretty happy. In the back of my mind there is always the fear of it not working out how we all want, but for right now, I'll take it. They want me to remove my ovaries asap as well, Anyway I'll find out what they want to radiate on the 5th. The surgeon said probably the armpit but I'm thinking they'll do chest wall too. She said I could probably work through rads if I needed to go back sooner rather than later but I'm thinking it's probably not a good idea. But I am getting more strapped by the day. This cancer business is so financially draining.

    And yes, Be optimistic for yourself we got this !

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  • gb2115
    gb2115 Member Posts: 1,894
    edited March 2019

    I think they hesitate to use the word cure because they can't say it for sure. The problem with breast cancer is that cells can linger and lurk undetected for a really long time before starting to grow. With no good ways to detect rogue cells. So if they say you're cured...and then a decade or more later it shows up in your bones because it was there all along, you would be very upset with your doctor....but I thought you said I was cured? I can see why they go for NED instead.

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  • B-A-P
    B-A-P Member Posts: 525
    edited March 2019

    gb2115

    Yes, you're right. I don't think my team would say cure, I think they'd say NED. Surgeon said "it appears you are cancer free," but I don't associate that with a cure. It just means at this current time there isn't anything they can see or feel. My oncologist would say NED. The whole curative intent thing is more of treating me like they're trying to cure , or give a long disease free progression. Not treating as if I'm incurable (or palliatively). They have their reasons, and I'm optimistic, but I am also realistic. I know that for any one of us, we can recur, no matter the stage. So unless things start going downhill, I am of the mindset that I can do really well. I am scared of course, but I am also very young with a young child I intend to see grow up. This disease is awful I wouldn't wish it on anyone. Right now NED from first line of treatment. Couldn't ask for any better. Sometimes saying it outloud makes me feel like I'm jinxing it, and perhaps my next scan won't be as positive.. But for now I have every reason to believe I have lots of time :)

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  • RebzAmy
    RebzAmy Member Posts: 322
    edited March 2019

    When I was diagnosed in my 30s in 2007, my oncologist told me that he was considering the treatment he was giving me to be curative treatment. I recently had an abdomen scan and head scan and all clear. I remember hearing the words, 'curative treatment' and held onto that.

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