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Why wait 30 days after chemo for radiation?

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Category: TNBC Forums
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Forum Description: Support Groups
URL: http://forum.tnbcfoundation.org/forum_posts.asp?TID=5190
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Topic: Why wait 30 days after chemo for radiation?

Posted By: pamgentry
Subject: Why wait 30 days after chemo for radiation?
Date Posted: Nov 13 2009 at 10:38am

After lumpectomy in July (stage 1 TNBC) I had to wait 7 weeks to start chemo due to oncologist schedule. Was concerned about then, even more now that I know way more about TNBC but too late to do anything about it. Due to dose dense (every 2 weeks) treatment for 4 rounds, just finished 3rd once/week of 12 treatments of Taxol so will be done w/ that in mid January. They have said that I need to wait 30 days to start radiation after chemo for recovery but I am feeling really good and, if that continues I hate to wait. Mid February will be 7 months after surgery, 8 months after diagnosis and that seems dangerous to me. Any thoughts on why it is necessary to wait or should I press my Dr. to start sooner would be appreciated!

Replies:

Posted By: unklez
Date Posted: Nov 13 2009 at 10:58am

Dear Pam,

The best judge of how ready you are to start radiation would be your medical team and you together. The radiation oncologists like to wait for 4+ weeks to have the chemo out of your system. There is some belief that a certain amount of residual chemo near the radiated area may cause more burning of the tissue. They also want you recovered physically so that you can take the 6 weeks of daily rads. But if you feel ready it can't hurt to ask.

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Wife Dx: Jul/09. Age: 37. Size: 3cm. BRCA: -ve. Lumpectomy: Aug/09. Micromet 1/9 node. Chemo Start: Sep/09. E5103. DD ACB-> DD Abraxane (Taxol reaction). Zometa (S0307). Canadian Fraction Rads.

Posted By: pamgentry
Date Posted: Nov 13 2009 at 11:06am

I agree. The problem w/ my medical team is that they don't treat TNBC any diffently that non TN as there are no studies completed that show what works and what doesn't. I will talk to them but am trying to find out if there is a greater long term risk of problems (lung cancer, blood cancer, etc. which I know can have higher risk after radiation) if I start earlier than 30 days. Thx for your reply, it helps!

Posted By: unklez
Date Posted: Nov 13 2009 at 11:20am

Dear Pam,

TNBC is not treated differently from radiation oncology perspective. The grade matters. Higher grade (usually true for TNBC) BC's can and should influence docs to initiate treatment as soon as the medical protocol allows.