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Radiaion Boost or No Boost

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centsan View Drop Down
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    Posted: May 05 2014 at 9:13pm
I just finished 24 treatments of radiation. My original doctor left during my last week of radiation. The next week another doctor took her place. He recommended that I get a week of radiation boost that was not written in my original plan.

He mentioned that I was on the border line for the boost because I had a bilateral mastectomy and have expanders for reconstruction surgery.

This situation has me in limbo because the radiation can damage my right breast and make it harder for me to have reconstruction surgery in about 6 to 9 months.

Has anyone out here experienced this or have any suggestions.

This is my second round of TNBC and I was just about to enroll into the Copper Depletion trial when I was diagnosed with a new cancer in the right breast.
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123Donna View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote 123Donna Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May 05 2014 at 11:25pm
Centsan,

I'm not a medical professional nor do I know what would be best for you.  However, it seems most women get the boost.  Were both cancers in the same breast or was the new one in the other breast?  How large were your tumors?  Any nodal involvement?

I didn't have radiation after my bilateral mastectomy.  With my recurrence, I had 40 rad tx.  28 to the entire breast area, all regional nodes, axilla, then 12 more boosts.  I had reconstruction prior to my recurrence.  The radiation definitely damaged the implant and the radiated skin.  I worry about the damage if I ever have to remove the implant, but I was more concerned about trying to get any remaining cells that might be lingering.  So I went with the radiation and hope that if I ever need another surgery, the skin will hold up.  I wish we didn't have to make these types of decisions.

Donna 
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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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote 123Donna Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May 05 2014 at 11:27pm
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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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote junobeach Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May 30 2014 at 6:24pm
Hello all,
     Im sorry I don't have much to add on so many of the topics that get discussed here. However I send many thanks to all who share their great knowledge and super support. I visit here daily and think positives thoughts for everyone. Im near the end of my treatments and now I'm thinking am I really done. Ive done it all double mastectomy, 16 wks of dd chemo. Now I'm doing rads for 28 treatments. I only have four more to schedule. My RO says no boost. My question is, is that usual protocol for tnbc? I was also node negative. So I feel radiation it self was an added precaution. Just want to be sure I do it all. I would like to know about how long do I wait before reconstruction. My skin has held up pretty well fro the rads. I had a small bout with dermatitis but as soon as I treated it with a real aloe plant it cleared in 2 days. Another question if were tn why is dairy off the menu? our tumors aren't hormone produced.


Blessing to you all,
Deborah
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote debB Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May 30 2014 at 7:37pm
Hi Juno,

Congrats on being nearly done! Radiation is not always given for women who had a mx, but is always given with a lumpectomy. Since you had negative nodes, I would guess that you don't need the boost!

I am not clear why anyone would tell you no dairy. It is suggested by many to do a low fat diet, but you can still have dairy.

Deb
Dx 4/29/11, 46 yrs old, 3.9 cm tumor, Stg 2 Grade 3 chemo 4 rounds DD AC, 12 weekly taxol, finish. Lumpectomy, 2mm residual tumor. 37 rounds rads completed. Cisplatin/PARP trial
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote 123Donna Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May 30 2014 at 11:22pm
Deborah,

I agree with DebD.  Usually if you are stage 1, clear nodes and a mastectomy, radiation is usually not recommended.  I didn't have radiation after my bi-mx.  It's probably why they say you don't need a boost.  When I had rads after my recurrence, I found the real aloe plant did the best to soothe the skin and burns.  I'm not sure why someone told you no dairy.  I still use dairy, but prefer organic milk or yogurt.

Donna
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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