Radiation consult results and thanks

MiaNC · Regular Joined: 20 Apr 2005 Posts: 30 Location: Georgia

Well, I went for the RT consult today. The Dr. told me that given the stage IIA and the size of the tumor I would not need RT. BUT, there was deep soft tissue surgical margin tumor involvement and focal lymphatic spread of the tumor> Therefore, there was a 20% chance of local recurrence which would decrease to less than 5% with radiation.

Now I don't know what to do since they have left the decision mostly up to me. I have two small kids so I want to make the best decision for the longest survival (I know we don;t live forever).

Any opinions or advice? I would really appreciate it.
Thank you!
MiaNC
49 y/o, Stage IIA, 1 cm tumor, E+, P+, HER/neu -
2 sentinel nodes positive, 21 axillary negative
Bone Scan, CT scan, PET Scan negative
s/p bilateral mastectomies
s/p dose dense chemo 4 A/C, 4 Taxol

sgishelly

My opinion...20% to 5% is a big difference. It's enough of a difference for me, of course you have to make the decision and like I said before, whatever decision you make is the right one for you.

Why do you not want to do the radiation? I will tell you, it really was not that big of a deal.
_________________
Shelly
Dx Nov 1, 2004 at 40 y/o
Right MRM, Left Simple Mast. - 12/9/04
Stage 2A IDC -
Primary tumor 1cm
3+ / 14 nodes, ER/PR+, HER2-
34 rads - finished 5/25
chemo - AC and Taxol FINISHED 7/6/05
beginning reconstruction 2/06
brain mets 4/06 - now stage 4

LindaTN · Regular Joined: 23 Apr 2005 Posts: 42

My goodness girl do that radiation, I did chemo with a lot less odds of it being effective then they are giving you! Radiation is easy, techs are generally friendly, its fast! I had 32 a year later my husband had 42 three years down the pike we are both doing great. We are 61 and 64 and plan on being around a lot longer. You bet we all die sometime but I want to be 90 and have all the kids, grandkids and great-grandkids around to say BOY she is OLD. God Bless Linda

Marion · Experienced user Joined: 28 Nov 2004 Posts: 60

You have to decide what is best for you BUT that is a big difference in percent of recurrence. I did 30 rads everyday and was no problem. I went everyday at 7:30 am before I went to work. Was in at 7:30 and out by 7:45 and then was on my way to work. I made sure I drank orange juice before I went and ate an apple a day which is supposed to help the skin and had no burn -- ended up like a nice suntan. The only effect I did have was a slight skin irritation where my bra rubbed under the breast but padded it with extra cushioning and it was gone in a few days. Only you can decide if its worth it but I would definately check it out as an option.

Marion
_________________
Age: 48
Dx 10/14/04
lumpectomy 10/26
1.6 cm
Stage IIA
SN biopsy 10/29
1/14 nodes +
4 A/C
30 Rads
Taxotere complete
Tamoxifen for 5 years

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