Did you have Boost at end of radiation

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jessie123
jessie123 Member Posts: 532
edited April 2019 in Radiation Therapy - Before, During, and After

I don't think my RO wants to give me the end boost treatments, but because I had a 1.1 mm margin on one side he may have to. I could feel his concern so I've been reading about the boost treatments to see why he was hesitant. Seems that the boost treatment increases the chance of short term and long term side effects. I'd hate to have a "forever" side effect. Do most people have the boost at the end of radiation? If you had it can you tell me why it was ordered. Also,how many people didn't have it

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  • Beaverntx
    Beaverntx Member Posts: 3,183
    edited April 2019

    I had boosts because DCIS, previously undiagnosed, was found during surgery. While my BS was satisfied with the margins my RO was not, so boosts. Tolerated rads well and, essentially one year out, all skin has regained normal appearance including my nipples are once again the same color.



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  • jessie123
    jessie123 Member Posts: 532
    edited April 2019

    Hi Beaverntx -- did your doctor think a prophylactic ovary removal would help keep the cancer from reoccurring? I was diagnosed with cysts in my ovaries 12 years ago -- it was checked two years in a row and since there was no change the doctor didn't worry about it. That was the last time I went to an OBGYN except for a quick pap 2 years ago that about killed me. I've been a widow since I was 53. I thought my ovaries were done producing estrogen.

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  • grandmaadams
    grandmaadams Member Posts: 70
    edited April 2019

    I had 15 whole breast treatments and 6 boosts. My last treatment was Oct. 31, 2018. The only reason I was given was that it was "standard" treatment protocol, good long term results, less radiation and just as effective as the 6 week treatments.  All of my margins were clear, lymph glands clear and low oncotype score. So far I've had no side effects, no issues at all and my skin has completely healed. I would suggest you bluntly ask your RO what is going on. Let him know you have concerns about his hesitancy. You have a right to know what is floating around in his head about your treatment. Good luck.

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  • AliceBastable
    AliceBastable Member Posts: 3,461
    edited April 2019

    I had boosts after about six weeks of radiation. It's just the beams aimed at the tumor bed instead of whole breast as extra insurance. Very easy and only took a few minutes each time.

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  • ruthbru
    ruthbru Member Posts: 57,235
    edited April 2019

    I had the boosts. No problems at all.

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  • Spookiesmom
    Spookiesmom Member Posts: 9,568
    edited April 2019

    I had boosts, no problems. 32 total sessions. I did have skin problems about half way through, stopped to for a week to heal. Finished.

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  • jessie123
    jessie123 Member Posts: 532
    edited April 2019

    Well, it looks like everyone is having boosts with no real problems. I've read people with margins less than 2 mm have a greater chance of reoccurrence or metastasis later down the road. One of my margins was 1.1 mm so I think that is why he is concerned. The old standard used to be a 1mm margin and some facilities still use that standard, but many have gone to the 2 mm standard. I guess better safe than sorry on this one.

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  • Beaverntx
    Beaverntx Member Posts: 3,183
    edited April 2019

    Jessie, ovary removal was part of a total hysterectomy triggered by a thickened endometrium found before starting Tamoxifen. I figured that, at my age, might as well do all at once. Path report showed senescent ovaries and some changes in the uterus that could have become malignant--OBGYN surgeon said I made the right choice to have the surgery. One less worry about Tamoxifen SEs.

    I called my boosts my "just in case" treatment. From my reading, it appears the definition of acceptable margins is not written in stone and seems to vary a bit from place to place (an example being the differing opinions of my BS and RO).



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

    I had a boost to the scar area. They said most recurrence (local) happens there which is why the do extra. It wasn't harsher radiation, just a few more treatments just to that spot. It didn't cause me any extra trouble.

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

    Oh and I think my margin to the chest wall was 0.9 mm.

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  • Rhiannon061
    Rhiannon061 Member Posts: 22
    edited April 2019

    I was scheduled to have 5 boosts to the area where my scar is but doc decided it wasn’t needed as it is right above my heart plus I already did chemo so he was confident it wasn’t needed

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  • Ingerp
    Ingerp Member Posts: 2,624
    edited April 2019

    I had boosts both times. They’re even easier than whole breast rads, and most of your skin will start to heal while you get them.

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  • dl1129
    dl1129 Member Posts: 19
    edited April 2019

    I was unsure about the boost too. I kept changing my mind about it. My RO recommended it primarily because I had a 1 mm margin at the skin (no breast tissue left to take) but she agreed the added benefit to me is likely to be small. I was prescribed 16 whole breast treatments and a boost divided into 4, so 20 total. I did all but the very last day, so 16 whole breast and 75% of the boost. My main side effect has been feeling generally unwell (my skin and nipple darkened a bit but not too bad) and after the 19th treatment yesterday my resistance suddenly skyrocketed. I just felt I could not do anymore as I desperately needed to start feeling better. All that said, I didn't notice any difference at all with the boost (other than that I was very grateful I was prone for the 16 whole breast because the supine position was very uncomfortable for me). I was honest with my doctor throughout the process and said I was going to take the boost one day at a time… she was accommodating.I'm proud of myself that I did most of it and happy with my decision. Good luck!

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