Second lumpectomy and targeted radiation instead of mastectomy

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QKAlake
QKAlake Member Posts: 11
edited September 2021 in IDC (Invasive Ductal Carcinoma)

Had lumpectomy in 2009 with radiaition. Now have small IDC, thought I needed mastectomy but surgeon said second lumpectomy and targeted radiation is very effective. Has anyone gone this route? Did you have a recurrence?

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  • farmgirl888
    farmgirl888 Member Posts: 37
    edited September 2021

    I had IORT radiation done @ UCSF, very targeted and done during the surgery. Is that what you are talking about?

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  • QKAlake
    QKAlake Member Posts: 11
    edited September 2021

    thanks for replying farmgirl888. Unf, that is not what I am refering to

    What is being proposed for me as a treatment is a second lumpectomy (now IDC) in the same breast as the first lumpectomy done in 2009 (the whole breast was radiated then). This time the radiation would be non-accelerated partial breast irradiation. This would be instead of a mastectomy.

    Has anyone had that done?

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  • Salamandra
    Salamandra Member Posts: 1,444
    edited September 2021

    Hi QKAlake,

    I wasn't going to respond because I have not had that done, but seeing as there's not much here I'll chime in anyway.

    When I met my RO, I specifically asked whether treating my breast with radiation would preclude a future lumpectomy and force me into mastectomy in case of a recurrence.

    He said that there is a lifetime limit on radiation for each part of the body, but that this round of radiation treatment would not put me at/near that limit. He said that depending on the exact nature/location of a local recurrence, it was at least possible if not likely that I could have another round of lumpectomy+radiation.

    That felt like good news to me.

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  • Betrayal
    Betrayal Member Posts: 1,374
    edited September 2021

    I do think you need to meet with a RO to discuss this rather than your surgeon. Surgeons cut and RO's treat with radiation. It seems you had whole breast radiation the first time and do you know the total dosage you received then? This is important information to have to share with the new RO to make an informed decision. Good luck.

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  • QKAlake
    QKAlake Member Posts: 11
    edited September 2021

    thanks for the info. I am really hoping someone on this forum has chosen this option and was happy with their decision. I will have the same RO as in 2009 so I have confidence in him, but wondering if I am delaying the inevitable and a mastectomy will be required down the road. This target radiation seems very promising so hard to know

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  • farmgirl888
    farmgirl888 Member Posts: 37
    edited September 2021

    Check out IORT, it's targeted and done during surgery. A lot of Drs don't know about it, as you need to go to a surgery center that has the Targit machine. I'm happy to answer any questions just PM me. My understanding is that IORT can be used on a previously radiated breast.

    It has been proven to be as successful as FBRT

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Targeted_intra-opera...


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  • Racy
    Racy Member Posts: 2,651
    edited September 2021

    Are you over 70? I have read that some women over 70 who have a lumpectomy may not need radiation.

    I think I read some research articles on this site that talked about the option of second radiation but I gained the impression it is not yet standard of care. Have a look.

    I do hope this could be possible as I had a lumpectomy and radiation previously and would prefer conservative treatment again if I had a recurrence.

    Wishing you a good outcome.

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