Just curious as everyone seems to do different lengths of radiotherapy…I am doing 3 weeks, someone I know has done about 5…how is this worked out ? I know I should have asked when I saw the oncologist, but there was so much to think of at the time ! I’m guessing it might depend on the extent of the tumour/grade/position…would breast size come into it or is that totally irrelevant ?
Hi Chipper and welcome to the forums,
You may find our publication about radiotherapy for primary breast cancer useful to read whilst you await replies from your fellow forum users about their experiences, you can read it via the following link:
breastcancercare.org.uk/upload/pdf/bcc_radiotherapy_final.pdf
Our helpline on 0808 800 6000 is open 9-5 weekdays and Sat 9-2 should you wish to talk through any aspect of your diagnosis, treatments or feel that a ‘listening ear’ would help.
Best wishes
Lucy
thanks Lucy !
Chipper,
I’ve just started rads and also having 15 sessions. My understanding is that 15 tends to be the norm, but can be increased if there is a greater risk of skin being involved, or cancer was more advanced. For info - i had a 3.5cm IDC tumour, which was a grade 2 and ER+ Her2- All lymph nodes removed from under the arm and 5 out 11 were infected.
Bright
thanks brightlight - that is helpful…I’ve got 5 left to do. Mine was invasive ductal carcinoma grade 2, 2.4 cms intermixed with intermediate DCIS - SNB with both nodes clear, ER+ (and there’s no report of any HER testing on my histology report or in my surgeon’s letter to my gp)
Hope it all goes well for you…did you have chemo too ? (I didn’t)
Hi
I had my treatment over 3 weeks because i asked (they orginal said 5 weeks). The thought was that the skin coped better when the treatment was over a longer period i believe research was done in this area.The main reason i asked for the treatment to be over 3 weeks was the distance i was traveling to the hospital for treatment and i had talked with several people before hand about the skins reaction. The bottom line seemed to be there was no way of telling how a person skins would react to rads and if i was one of the people that did react i would rather the treatment was over with quicker. I have had two lots of rads to different areas and i have reacted the same way each time. If you are unsure ask at the hospital i am sure they will be able to give you more information.
Rememeber to put your cream in the fridge, it will be really sothing that way.
Chipper,
Yes I had chemo, infected lymph nodes make all the difference. IF any are infected chemo is usually offered.
Good luck with your last five.
Bright x
thanks lupin ! my skin is ok so far,bit blotchy and tender. Brighlight - yup, I guessed you would have chemotherapy if nodes affected - hope it wasn’t too horrid.
btw brightlight- do you think they test for HER if the cancer cells have infected lymph nodes ?
Hi Chipper- My onc said it used to the norm to give 5 weeks (25 sessions) of rads but all the latest research had shown that people who had 15sessions had just as good outcomes as those who had 25. I think my onc. is on the ball: he is young and I don’t think he gives me any b…llsh…t, so I have accepted his line on this
I think things have changed quite a bit over the years. My first experience with radiotherapy was in 1990. I had a large tumour - 5cm, chemo totally shrunk it and I went on to have 30 sessions of rads +5 more directly to the tumour site - so 35 in all. I had no problems with my skin at all. Then my next experience on the other site was in 1997 after a mastectomy and axilla clearance. I had 30 sessions this time with the wax sheet over the skin for part of the time. I did have some skin damage but the verdict was that my skin stood up very well to it. I found having to be there every day for so long was mentally quite wearing.
Dawn
xx
topsymo and dawnhc - thanks both for imput - much appreciated ! good wishes to you both too x
Chipper,
HER 2 testing is not dependent on the cancer being in the lymph nodes - it is done as a matter of routine to look at the general characteristics/morphology of the cancer. Just like looking at the degree of aggression and presence of hormone receptors. HER2 testing usually takes longer to do, and the results are generally given a short time after the results from the path report.
Bright
thanks bright - so would I be tested,do you think ? and have results at a later appointment ? sorry to be dense !
hi chipper - mine took 13 wks to come through and I chased them up with the onc secretary…mary x
Hi Chipper
Our publication ‘Understanding your pathology report’ contains information about HER-2 testing which you may find useful to read:
breastcancercare.org.uk/upload/pdf/pathology___feb_08_0.pdf
Best wishes
Lucy
Hi, I had grade2, 17mm invasive cancer with some dcis and 1 node affected and had 33 rads 25 normal and 8 boosters.I was diagnosed in Sep 07.I didn’t get my her2 results until after 5th chemo and this was only because I asked.
Best wishes Mel xx
thanks mel - it all varies doesn’t it ? Hope you are fine and dandy now ! xx
and thanks kittenkat…will look at the pathology report thing too,thanks Lucy 
My her2 results were a week or so later. but I did have to ask. Oncs don’t always volunteer information!
Bright