Partial vs Whole Breast Radiation

kec...there are many threads here regarding partial and whole breast radiation. My suggestion to you is to speak to the radiologist and get a second opinion. I was offered partial but chose whole. When I had to decide almost a decade ago, though insurance would pay for either, there just wasn't enough evidence, FOR ME, to show that partial was worthwhile.

Another point that I would like to make is that i do not put much stock in ANY imaging. Imaging may not see rogue cancer cells in the breast. That's why whole breast radiation made sense to me.

Off topic, but something that stresses my point about imaging....last year I had my hip replaced. Prior, the x ray said I had the hips of a 40 year old ( I was 60) and NO arthritis. I ended up having 3 MRIs. None showed the true extent of the arthritic disease in my hip. It was SEVERE. Afterwards, I had asked the surgeon why the MRIs weren't accurate. His reply was that there are numerous variables. The machine, the technician, the position of the body AND finally, the anatomy of the patient, ALL affect the imaging results.

That experience underscores my lack of faith in imaging.....AND, getting back to my BC.....I had a palpable lump AND the diagnostic mammogram MISSED it. A diagnostic sonogram found it......

Here is some interesting info....

https://www.mdanderson.org/publications/oncolog/hypofractionated-partial-breast-irradiation.h17-1591413.html

I had all the standard imaging and tests before surgery: mammogram, ultrasound, biopsy, CT scan, MRI. NONE of them detected the micromet in the sentinel node that was found in the post-op pathology. And I wasn't given a choice, really, on the radiology treatment. I had been told 22 sessions at my first meeting with the RO, but that changed after the set-up session to 33. When I questioned the RO, he explained that it's all based on breast density, depth of tumor bed, and other factors that show up on the set-up scan. It's not done on "Oh, let's just go with this plan for fun." When I then asked about heart and lung safety with one of the zaps going to my back (I had a leftie lumpy), he further explained how the rays are plotted to create a geometric bend to go around those organs, which is why it takes about a week between the set-up and the first session. There's no way I would presume to know more about a highly specialized field than the radiologist does.

I am a candidate for Accelerated Partial Breast Radiation therapy - multi catheter. I would appreciate comments from people who actually had this procedure regarding the pros and cons, i.e. are you glad you made the choice for partial breast radiation, procedure to insert catheters, anything you can share to help my anxiety. I need to decide soon. Thanks

Hi there Kec1972

new to “ board" and learning to

navigate- in meantime, your situation, age

surgery and results are near identical to mine.

I am pondering partial radiation- but

it may not happen for 10 - 11 weeks out from

surgery. So, first off, how long did you

wait for rad and what did you decide?

did you hear of any concerns waiting

11 weeks?

thanks

interesting- I am in the grey area I guess

( 63 yrs )- I had heard 70 years old was

minimum age to go with partial. I want

partial with such a small tumour (6 mm)

irradiating the entire breast seems like

overkill at my age. i have a very low risk

of recurrence and a low grade tumour

stage 1b...The only thing stalling me on this

is imagining a rogue cell in the untreated

part...Your situation sounds appropriate

for your age ( 40’s)..

Has anybody out there waited 11 weeks for

radiation

LisaDCIS I have not but would be interested in that myself. The shortened 5 round/9 day. Who at the Clinic are you working with doctor wise?