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brachytherapy / pemetrexed

amelia
amelia CSN Member Posts: 56
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
Hi all, looking for info or experience on brachytherapy for radiation treatments. 2 down, 2 to go on Ac and radiation is next. I understand the new thing is 5 days radiation vs 6 weeks, 5 days a week. Wow, wouldn't that be great. Any info appreciated. Also they want me on taxotere or taxol next. I refuse due to side effects, but have read they are using pemetrexed in place of taxotere in small cell lung cancer patients because it is safer. How about using it for B cancer. Any experience or info again greatly appreciated, Thanks to all, God Bless, Amelia
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Comments

  • DeeNY711
    DeeNY711 CSN Member Posts: 476 Member
    #2
    Amelia, I found the side effects of Adriamycin/Cytoxan much more difficult to take than the taxotere. Except for the cumulative effect causing an extreme fatigue, I have not had any unpleasant things occur on taxotere.
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  • Marymomof3
    Marymomof3 CSN Member Posts: 24
    #3
    Hi Amelia, I had a mammosite implanted for radiation therapy during my lumpectomy, but they were not able to use it because it was not deep enough in the breast (so that it wouldn't burn the skin). Also, they won't use the mammosite if you have any positive lymph nodes (turns out I had one). The device looks like a small balloon which is connected to a tube that they use to fill it from outside the body. Not sure how the radiation is given (didn't get that far), but it's only done for 5 days. It only radiates the lumpectomy site (which is where the majority of recurrances occur vs. the entire breast so there's less scatter to the lungs, heart, etc. This is a very new procedure for early stage bc. I only had 4 treatments of AC (no taxol), so I can't help you there. Good luck and hang in there, radiation is much easier than chemo. ((hugs)) Mary Beth
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  • SCmom
    SCmom CSN Member Posts: 46
    #4
    Amelia, I just had the Mammosite catheter put in last week with my Lumpectomy. I had to go in for a CT Scan and make sure it was placed ok. It was. Starting next week (as long as my pathology comes back ok) I will start the treatment. They insert a wire that has small beads of radiation into the catheter. You do this twice a day, six hours apart from each other for five days. There are many variables that need to be ok before they can do it, negative nodes, no air pockets, deep enough into the breast, good margins, so far, so good for me. Wish the same for you. Laura
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