What are Radiation Boosters?

LoveBabyJesus
LoveBabyJesus Member Posts: 1,679 Member
edited August 2011 in Breast Cancer #1
Hi sisters!

I had my first rad today. Felt emotional, but overall it went OK.

I was told I had to have 5 boosters at the end of treatment (16 + 5). Are they stronger than standard radiation or less strong?

Thanks!

Comments

  • Megan M
    Megan M Member Posts: 3,000
    #2
    This is what I found after I
    This is what I found after I googled it - it explains it better than I can. LOL

    A Little Extra At The End of Radiation

    A radiation boost is one or more extra treatments, given at a higher dose than routine treatments, and targeted at the tumor bed. This extra dose covers a small area and affects the tissue where cancer is most likely to return. Radiation boost treatments are given after the regular sessions of radiation are complete. Women who are 40 years old or younger at time of treatment get the most benefit from a radiation boost, but patients of all ages will have a lower risk of recurrence if they receive a booster treatment.


    I think the first day is emotional for all of us. But, I loved the techs and my rads oncologist, so, it really didn't bother me going. We all became friends quickly. I had boosters and they were even faster than the normal rads, and, only to the tumor site. Hope this helps.


    Hugs, Megan
  • LoveBabyJesus
    LoveBabyJesus Member Posts: 1,679 Member
    #3
    Megan M said:

    This is what I found after I
    This is what I found after I googled it - it explains it better than I can. LOL

    A Little Extra At The End of Radiation

    A radiation boost is one or more extra treatments, given at a higher dose than routine treatments, and targeted at the tumor bed. This extra dose covers a small area and affects the tissue where cancer is most likely to return. Radiation boost treatments are given after the regular sessions of radiation are complete. Women who are 40 years old or younger at time of treatment get the most benefit from a radiation boost, but patients of all ages will have a lower risk of recurrence if they receive a booster treatment.


    I think the first day is emotional for all of us. But, I loved the techs and my rads oncologist, so, it really didn't bother me going. We all became friends quickly. I had boosters and they were even faster than the normal rads, and, only to the tumor site. Hope this helps.


    Hugs, Megan

    Thank You! It helped. I
    Thank You! It helped. I thought they were stronger.

    How did your skin react?
  • Megan M
    Megan M Member Posts: 3,000
    #4
    LoveBabyJesus said:

    Thank You! It helped. I
    Thank You! It helped. I thought they were stronger.

    How did your skin react?

    My skin was really dark pink
    My skin was really dark pink where I had gotten the normal rads and very tender. But, it started healing up pretty quick once I started the boosters. The boosters did make my skin worse, I won't lie about it, but, it will heal fast. Just remember that! And, use lots of your creams!
  • mruczko
    mruczko Member Posts: 110
    #5
    Radiation Boosters
    Had radiation after 6 months chemo incl. ongoing Herceptin, lumpectomy, lymph node removal with lots of pain, then radiation. At the end of 28 regular sessions, I was scheduled to have 5 boosters, was so very tired, sore, skin burned, I declined - regretted it ever since! Keep telling myself after all I went throuogh I could have sucked it up and had the boosters! Need to fight the crab with all the weapons available to us. By the way, I also wanted to cut Herceptin short, but since I felt so guilty, I had my full dose.
    Marlene
  • butterflylvr
    butterflylvr Member Posts: 944
    #6
    Megan M said:

    My skin was really dark pink
    My skin was really dark pink where I had gotten the normal rads and very tender. But, it started healing up pretty quick once I started the boosters. The boosters did make my skin worse, I won't lie about it, but, it will heal fast. Just remember that! And, use lots of your creams!

    Hi ya,
    I finished my rads a little over a month ago. I had 28 regular and 5 boosts. Everybody reacts differently, I really burnt. I was crisp going into my boost week, but by the final boost treatment I could already see massive healing in the other areas not being zapped by the boost treatment. Two weeks beyond treatments I saw major healing... Now keep in mind, I have tissue expanders in place and my RO was targeting my chest muscle and skin tissue. Well let me tell ya baby... he sure got the skin tissue. LOL

    Good Luck with rads we're sitting back here cheering you on...

    Lorrie
  • LoveBabyJesus
    LoveBabyJesus Member Posts: 1,679 Member
    #7
    mruczko said:

    Radiation Boosters
    Had radiation after 6 months chemo incl. ongoing Herceptin, lumpectomy, lymph node removal with lots of pain, then radiation. At the end of 28 regular sessions, I was scheduled to have 5 boosters, was so very tired, sore, skin burned, I declined - regretted it ever since! Keep telling myself after all I went throuogh I could have sucked it up and had the boosters! Need to fight the crab with all the weapons available to us. By the way, I also wanted to cut Herceptin short, but since I felt so guilty, I had my full dose.
    Marlene

    Marlene -- I am glad you had
    Marlene -- I am glad you had the whole chemo treatments!!! I always say to myself, everything happens for a reason. Perhaps you didn't need the boosters after all?
  • Ritzy
    Ritzy Member Posts: 4,381 Member
    #8
    butterflylvr said:

    Hi ya,
    I finished my rads a little over a month ago. I had 28 regular and 5 boosts. Everybody reacts differently, I really burnt. I was crisp going into my boost week, but by the final boost treatment I could already see massive healing in the other areas not being zapped by the boost treatment. Two weeks beyond treatments I saw major healing... Now keep in mind, I have tissue expanders in place and my RO was targeting my chest muscle and skin tissue. Well let me tell ya baby... he sure got the skin tissue. LOL

    Good Luck with rads we're sitting back here cheering you on...

    Lorrie

    Please don't worry about
    Please don't worry about rads. Just know that you are killing any stray cancer cells left behind from surgery. I know that rads have side effects, but, your skin will heal, you will get back your energy and you can move on to a happy and long life!


    The going every day really wore me out, so, get lots of rest, and, take naps during the day if you can.


    And, keep your creams on! I lathered myself up like a pig, especially at night. And, if you use Aquaphor, wear an old tshirt of your hubby's or something that you can wash in hot water and throw away when you are done with rads, as, it stains.

    Lots of luck!

    Sue :)
  • mruczko
    mruczko Member Posts: 110
    #9
    LoveBabyJesus said:

    Marlene -- I am glad you had
    Marlene -- I am glad you had the whole chemo treatments!!! I always say to myself, everything happens for a reason. Perhaps you didn't need the boosters after all?

    Radiation boosters
    That's what I keep telling myself when I feel too guilty. Surgery showed no more cancer, and that's why radiologist agreed, albeit reluctantly.
    Marlene
  • skipper54
    skipper54 Member Posts: 936 Member
    #10
    mruczko said:

    Radiation boosters
    That's what I keep telling myself when I feel too guilty. Surgery showed no more cancer, and that's why radiologist agreed, albeit reluctantly.
    Marlene

    boosters were over the tumor site/incision
    It was a relief to give the other skin a break because I burned rather nicely and blistered etc. It's a pain but it's worth it.
  • Megan M
    Megan M Member Posts: 3,000
    #11
    mruczko said:

    Radiation boosters
    That's what I keep telling myself when I feel too guilty. Surgery showed no more cancer, and that's why radiologist agreed, albeit reluctantly.
    Marlene

    Marlene, I am sorry you feel
    Marlene, I am sorry you feel this way, but, if your surgery showed no more cancer, then I know you are just fine!


    Big hug!

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