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donnar's avatar
donnar
Member
14 years ago

Radiotheraphy options

Good morning everyone, I'm wondering if I coukd get some feedback on radiotheraphy. Yesterday I completed my chemo treatment -yay! 16 sessions in total. 4 x AC and 12 taxol. ( early breast cancer, grade 3, mastectomy left breast, clear margin, tumor size about 4.5 cm). Axillerary clearance in left underarm, cancer in 1 lymphnode out of 30 removed. ) I met with my radiologist doctor this week and she made mention that she was surprised to see why my surgeon on the referral made no mention as to why I should be having radiotheraphy. Having said that maybe that is best left up to the radiotherapist doctor. Anyway we discussed it further such as my level of risk and by having radiotheraphy my improvement Is in the low %.. When you take into consideration all the potential risks associated with radiotheraphy I've got to say my first thought was wow I have some options here. The study ( clinical trial) I was shown states that there is a wide variation in the use of radiotheraphy across the UK and internationally, for patients in my risk group. The decision wether to give radio or not is generally based on local preference rathe than established guidelines. Local practice at the Peter macCallum cancer center and most Australian centers is that doctors routinely recommend post-operative radio to patients with 4 or more lymhnodes involved with cancer under the armpit. In patients with 1-3 involves lymph nodes the benefit is less clear and practice does vary between clinics. The study will therefore be conducted to determine if there are benefits/risks to postoperative radio in patients with. 1-3 involved nodes or other high risk features present. The trail is called " the SUPREMO Trail" anyway I've a few weeks to gather as much info as I can, I think I'll get a second opinion to be clear in my head before I go ahead. I am leaning towards not having radio ( I was uneasy about it all, side effects etc.) I welcome your feedback and if you have any experience with this yourselves would be most grateful. Thank you for allowing me to share, love, Donna

5 Replies

  • Mich_x's avatar
    Mich_x
    Member
    14 years ago

    Good luck tomorrow and I hope it helps you make your decision.

    Mich xo

  • donnar's avatar
    donnar
    Member
    14 years ago
    Thanks Tonya and Mich, it has been a difficult one. To help with my decision I've met with my surgeon, GP, oncologist and I'm getting a second opinion tomorrow with a radiologist. I'm swaying more towards having it done. The cancer was pretty aggressive and this has been the clincher as well throwing everything at it now ( good point mich) I guess from tomorrow I'll be even more informed ( hopefully) to embark on all this. Thanks again girls, really appreciate your feedback Donna xx
  • TonyaM's avatar
    TonyaM
    Member
    14 years ago

    I suppose it depends abit on your pathology whether your cancer was aggressive etc. I had a lumpectomy (2cm cancer eostrogen+ve)and full node clearance(all nodes clear),followed by radiation(no chemo) in 2003. Well 7 years later the same cancer came back in the same breast,same spot despite previous clear margins. I was apparently in the unlucky 8%. The second cancer grew to 3cms within a year which made me wonder whether radiation had contributed. I am limited to only a Diep reconstuction now (if I have one)cos radiation tightens the skin. Ah,if only I had had a crystal ball but you do your research and then go with what feels right for you at the time.That's all you can do.I don't wish to advise you either way but rather just tell you my story.It may help you think of more questions to ask your doctors.Good luck with your research and decision.It's never easy is it.

                                                       Tonya xx

  • Mich_x's avatar
    Mich_x
    Member
    14 years ago

    Hi Donna

    It is sooo hard to make these decisions but,

    My attitude with cancer, is the more ammunition to throw at it to kill it off and save recurrence and save your life I would be throwing at it.

    That is just my opinion.  I am up to number 4 of 6 chemo's.  I had early breast cancer with a 3cm lump removed, unable to get a full clearance due to being to close to chest wall and 2 lymphe nodes involved with cancer.

    I will be following on from chemo with 7 weeks (35 sessions) of radiotherapy.  I am not looking forward to the burning but they say it is easier than chemo and if it gives me a better chance of survival I will go for it.

    I wish you the best of luck with making your decision as it is a tough one. 

    Mich x