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JMJ
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Joined: May 27 2014
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Topic: Standard of care for Radiation to axilla? Posted: Jul 08 2014 at 5:32pm |
I had two opinions on radiation, one dr included the axilla in the recommendation one did not. I had three positive nodes, the third was micromets. My tumor was 4.6 cm and my smallest margin less than a mm. The dr that did not recommend radiating the axilla said surgical removal was sufficient treatment for the axilla and the risk of lymphadema was higher with radiating it. I had a total of 22 nodes removed. I am 40 years old. The dr that wanted to radiate the axilla said they have been radiating the axilla for 20 years and doesn't understand why they wouldn't radiate it.
What other considerations should I be looking into?
+JMJ
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123Donna
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Joined: Aug 24 2009
Location: St. Louis, MO
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Points: 13509
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Posted: Jul 08 2014 at 6:01pm |
I would think you'd want to radiate with 3 positive nodes. If you are unsure, maybe another opinion from a major cancer center (NCCN or a teaching hospital)? There's another thread that talks about the benefits of adding radiation therapy. I'll try to bump it up for you to see and look at the research studies posted in the thread.
Donna
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DX IDC TNBC 6/09 age 49, Stage 1,Grade 3, 1.5cm,0/5Nodes,KI-67 48%,BRCA-,6/09bi-mx, recon, T/C X4(9/09) 11/10 Recur IM node, Gem,Carb,Iniparib 12/10,MRI NED 2/11,IMRT Radsx40,CT NED11/13,MRI NED3/15
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dmwolf
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Joined: Jan 22 2009
Location: Berkeley, CA
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Points: 3619
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Posted: Jul 08 2014 at 8:03pm |
Even with one positive node there is a benefit to irradiating the chest wall. Of that I'm sure of. As for the axilla, it does seem like the research coming out supports not irradiating it in general. Not sure how this applies or not to TNs. Are you planning on irradiating the chest wall?
Good luck deciding!
-Denise
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DX 2/08@43 stg II IDC; gr2,0 nodes. Neoadj chemo, first ACx2 (fail) then CarboTaxotereX6(better). Lump, Rads done 11/08; Clodronate. False alarm queen: PetCT lung & TM marker. NED. PBM w/recon 9/10.
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Annie
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Joined: Dec 19 2008
Location: Canada
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Posted: Jul 09 2014 at 12:58pm |
Hi JMJ, I had radiation of the axilla for 2/5 lymph nodes positive. I am not sorry. I did have some side effects from radiation but consider it to be less than the possibilities of what may have occurred had I not had the radiation.
Take care and God Bless. Love, Annie
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Annie TNBC Stage IIA Gr 3 1cm lesion 2/5 lymph nodes+ lumpectomy,FEC & D 30Rads finished(08/2009) BRCA- Chronic Cellulitis due to Radiation-- L.Mastectomy Jan 2012
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JulieKCA2013
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Joined: Mar 12 2013
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Posted: Jul 09 2014 at 10:18pm |
I had 4/24 positive nodes at the time of my surgery. It too scared me when my radiation oncologist said the beam would not be directed at the axilla. He said the beams would cover much of the axillary area without the direct hit to the axilla, which tends to have the complications with lymphadema. I was skeptical but he was right. My radiation burn proved he was right when it covered the bottom half of my armpit.
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Dx 3-7-13 TNBC, 5cm pT2N1M0 3-19-13 ACx4, 5-14-13 Taxolx4 7-17-13 BMX ypT1N2M0(.9mm) 4/24 nodes. 10-8-13 completed Rads x 30 12-3-13 completed Eribulin Trial 10-18-13, 3-19-14 Bone/Ct Scan Clear
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MikkyHarren
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Joined: Sep 15 2014
Location: Pakistan
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Posted: Sep 15 2014 at 2:01am |
Not sure how this applies or not to TNs. Are you planning on irradiating the chest wall?
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