Collarbone or not ?

Hi all,
I am due to start rads on 7th July, I have had one planning session yesterday and have one more to check measurements etc before I start.
Some people seem to have rads to collarbone and some don’t can any one explain the reason why, they did not say I was having any there but maybe they will do anyway.
I am not having underarm done as all nodes removed.
They only wired over breast for shape and I have 3 tatoos in a line as guide. Thanks will be grateful for help and any other advice
Dawn X

Hi Dawn

The following link will take you to our factsheet about radiotherapy which may answer some of your queries about this treatment:

breastcancercare.org.uk/docs/radiotherapy_mar_06_0.pdf

Best wishes
Lucy

It depends on lymphnode involvement. I had 6/14 so had radiotherapy to the underarm despite having clearance and the collarbone. I’ve never heard of anyone having collarbone only. The radiotherapy to these areas goes deeper and doesn’t noticeably affect the skin.

Hi - I am the same as you Kelley. Had radiotherapy to breast, underarm and collarbone.

Was told they did collarbone because of lymph node involvement of 8/14.

Dawn, Were any of your lymph nodes involved ? if not I don’t think they will do collarbone.
Liz x

Thanks to all,
One node was involved so that might be why. I will check when I go in 2 weeks cos I’d rather have it done if going to give a better result.
Thanks again
Dawn X

I had 3/12 lymph nodes involved so I had my collarbone done too. It’s a very quick process Dawn so don’t worry.

Sheana x

I had 21 nodes removed, all clear.Having rads to collarbone as there are nodes there which they want to make sure any stray cells are caught…
Mary
xx

I have this to come. Also confused. I had 6/21 nodes involved. Rang Breast Cancer Care Adviser yesterday and she said it is unusual to have rads to underarm if all nodes removed as that is the purpose of having all nodes removed ie to remove cancer. I have also had mastectomy. In this area they are now giving rads on a Mon, Wed & Fri only for mastectomy patients over a course of weeks. In my case 5 I think.

I start on one for planning for tumour removeral hey ! ai least planning is sorted out ! the following day for 10 days radio whole head radio th, think this means i loose my hair does anyone no whenn?

I have had radio over breast and nodes told me wont shave again but do ! lost hair with chemo too ! i think it just made me tried ! good luck answer any question you might no! lots of hugs xxx
sophie

I had mastectomy, full lymph clearance, one node affected. Following chemo I had radiotherapy, but only to the chest wall, (not to the underarm or the collarbone area).

xxx

Thanks all for your replies,
Mary, where are you being treated, sounds good that you had collarbone done just in case, I def going to ask and will see what they say.
Take care all
Dawn X

I think the criterea is to have RT to underarm and collarbone if more than 3 nodes affected.

HI Dawn
I am being treated at Clatterbridge

Mary
xx

Hi mary
Where is Clatterbridge, sorry geography was never my strong point,
hope you feeling ok, have you finished all your treatment now
Take care
Dawnx

Hi Dawn
Its on The Wirral.over the river from Liverpool.
Last one tomorrow,feeling ok,just problem with skin breaking under breast,but antibiotic cream helping.

Take Care
Mary
xx

dare I throw in that I had no lymph nodes affected - had an intermammory node instead. Had rads to breast, underarm, collarbone and an area from the back … no idea about the one on the back, just cos I am awkward perhaps?

Hi all,
Thanks again for all your info, Keeley your criteria is prob why I am not having it to collar bone as only one slightly affected.
Lilacblushes hope you dont mind me asking but what is an intermammory node, I have learnt so many new terms since all this started!!! but havent heard of that one.

Well done Mary you have finished, bet its a relief to finish but I expect it will feel abit odd over the next few days, the ending of treatment etc. how many did you have I am having 30, 25 normal and then 5 boosters . Thanks for letting me know where you are. My daughters friend was at uni in Liverpool, and my son is at Manchester, but I not very up on your area.
Glad you finished , are you having a little celebration, if you are feeling up to it or are you abit tired?

Take care all
Dawn X

lt’s a node in your boob … apparently we have nodes all over the place. I’m now one less (and given that I’m only a b cup every bit they remove is significant!)

I’ve never heard of anyone else having an intermammory dodawhatsit either … but as previously stated I am known for my awkwardness

Hi there
I had rads to my collarbone. I had two lymph nodes positive and the surgeon also sampled my intermammory node which was negative.
Alison

Hi

I am having rads to collarbone and breast. I had 0/21 lymph nodes affected, but they are still doing it to collarbone.

A