DCIS/Radiotherapy
DCIS/Radiotherapy Hi all
Not sure I’ve posted in the right place so forgive me if it is wrong
I have just had a WLE and had my grade raised to high from Interm.
My breast care nurse said that I will ‘probably’ have to have Radiotherapy is this usually the case ?
She told me all was taken out. The other query I have is how soon can Radiotherapy begin ?
I have my dream holiday booked for October and am wondering if everything will be over by then
Thx
Viv xx
Hello Viv,
I had rads after a mastectomy and DIEP reconstruction (Sept 2006) for DCIS. The full biopsy of the removed tissue revealed only 3 mm clearance of the DCIS from the skin, the prefered minimum is 10 mm by my oncologist so I had 15 rads as a precaution in a specifc area of my breast, the radiation beam was shaped using a lead mould over the machine and it was electron radiation which didn’t penetrate into the tissue it didn’t need to go into.
My rads started a couple of months after the op and was done and dusted by Xmas. You need a holiday to look forward to to give you a lift after what you’ve been through. I’ve found that some health professionals only give information after specific questions, I made lists and made notes -might be worth drafting a list and asking for an appointment. Your BCN shouldn’t have thrown this out as a ‘probably’ without explanation in my opinion - we have had enough uncertainty to deal with as it is with all the cancer cr**.
Barbara xxx
Thx Thx for that Barbara
I was a bit shocked that I had gone from interm. to high. BCN said it wasn’t a foregone conclusion that I would have RT but that I would ‘probably’ have it done ( this was while I had my stitches removed) and that I would receive a letter shortly from my consultant officially giving me the results and details of any follow up and treatment. necessary.
I think I will phone and try and get some reassurance my holiday isn’t until mid October but it is Florida and I do need it to be over by then ( med Insurance etc)
Thanks again
Viv
For Viv Hi Viv
After having a biopsy in March 07 I was diagnosed with high grade DCIS and my suggested treatment plan, at that time, was to have a WLE, radiotherapy and 5 years tamoxifen. Like you, I had a holiday arranged for the end of June and I felt sure that thinking of the timescales for ops and waiting times etc that I would have to cancel my holiday. It will no doubt depend on where you live but, at that time, my BCN told me that there was about an 8 week waititng list for the rads and depending on results, would depend how much rads would be offered - this could be anything between 3-6 weeks worth.
After my first WLE they didn’t get clear margins and therefore had a 2nd WLE last week and I am due to get the results of that op next week - tho I am confident that this will be ok. On a more positive note (and this is where it is the opposite to you), my DCIS was regraded from high to mostly low with a little bit of intermediate. The general consensus then was that there would be no benefit to me having rads and now only have to take tamoxifen with close monitoring over 5 years.
When I asked them why the change of mind over the rads, they said that they only normally offer rads depending on the amount of DCIS and if it is high grade. Obviously, everyone’s circumstances are different and all consultants work differently (it seems!) but I would think, in your case, even if you have to have rads and there is a wait etc, you will still make your holiday in October. I really hope that you get an appointment soon so that you know where you stand and once you know that your fab holiday is still on the cards, it will give you something to look forward to and aim for.
I really hope that you get the answers you are looking for and do let us know how you get on.
Love Michelle x
Michelle Thx Michelle
Surgeons meet Thurs of this week to discuss all cases ( Taunton, Somerset) so hopefully I will hear soon
Viv x