radiation

peb

I was wondering if everyone who gets radiation gets the same amount and gets daily treatment for the same time frame?

DianeBC

I don't know. I wondered
I don't know. I wondered about that too.

cats_toy

it does vary slightly
I was told between 6 and 8 weeks depending. Mine was the whole breast and node area, I had a large lumpectomy with one node involvement. 35 regular, then 7 boosters right at the lump site.
=^..^=

jk1952

Although the 'normal' series

Although the 'normal' series is about 35 treatments including boosts the last week, it's my understanding that there is also a treatment series that is high levels of radiation for a much shorter time (like a week). It is only used in rare instances, and I don't think that there has been enough experience with it to determine how effective it is compared to the ~35 treatments.

Joyce

jk1952

jk1952 said:

Although the 'normal' series

Although the 'normal' series is about 35 treatments including boosts the last week, it's my understanding that there is also a treatment series that is high levels of radiation for a much shorter time (like a week). It is only used in rare instances, and I don't think that there has been enough experience with it to determine how effective it is compared to the ~35 treatments.

Joyce

I just read another post,

I just read another post, and this alternative treatment is mammosite radiation, or targeted treatment for five days, and its for cancer that has been caught very early. Who knows, it could become the standard of treatment for early cancers in a few years.

Joyce

Kylez

jk1952 said:

I just read another post,

I just read another post, and this alternative treatment is mammosite radiation, or targeted treatment for five days, and its for cancer that has been caught very early. Who knows, it could become the standard of treatment for early cancers in a few years.

Joyce

35 treatments with the last
35 treatments with the last 5 boosters. I am getting them on my whole right side pretty much. But, I think it does vary.

peb

radiation still confusing
Not too many of you have said that you got the mammosit radiation or targeted treatment. I wonder why everyone seems to get the same amount. If one has a tooth ache they wont just do a root canal if not necessary. Just wondering outloud in hopes of someone who did get the targeted treatment could respond. I go to the drs appointments tomorrow so I think things will be clearer then. thanks for info.

Jadie

Basically yes
I had a lumpectomy with node involvment (2) and I had 33 rads. Everyone I know has around the same number of treatments. I had the lumpectomy site and then the node site zapped each time. There is such a thing as whole brest radiation. So some things vary a little but its usually 33-36 rads five days a week. As the 50ft woman says, cancer must not grow on weekends.LOL

Jadie<3

crazylady55

rad is different for everyone
My rad onc said that the treatment is based on a lot of variables. Type of cancer, location, node involvement, type of surgery, your body size, etc.

I finshed my rad on Friday. I had 28 sessions, with four treatment points across my chest (where my mastectomy scar is)so that was four "zaps" each session, every other day they used what they called a Bollis which increased the intensity of the radiation. Most of the women I talked to in the waiting room were only "zapped" once or twice each session and did not get the Bollis, most of them also had only a lumpectomy not a mastectomy so probably a lower stage of cancer.

DianeBC

peb said:

radiation still confusing
Not too many of you have said that you got the mammosit radiation or targeted treatment. I wonder why everyone seems to get the same amount. If one has a tooth ache they wont just do a root canal if not necessary. Just wondering outloud in hopes of someone who did get the targeted treatment could respond. I go to the drs appointments tomorrow so I think things will be clearer then. thanks for info.

Peb, I don't think it is
Peb, I don't think it is "the same size fits all". Lots seem to have a different amount of radiation treatments. They seem to vary from 25 to 37 or so. But, that depends on the tumor size, the surgery, lymph involvement, the radiation oncologist, the machine, lots of variables. I have heard of the mammosite radiation treatment, but, have never heard of any long range testing or results, so, I would pass on it if it were me. I am doing the "norm" amount of treatments prescribed by my doctor. I don't want to be part of a trial. I want what is proven to work. Wishing you luck Peb!

Kristin N

peb said:

radiation still confusing
Not too many of you have said that you got the mammosit radiation or targeted treatment. I wonder why everyone seems to get the same amount. If one has a tooth ache they wont just do a root canal if not necessary. Just wondering outloud in hopes of someone who did get the targeted treatment could respond. I go to the drs appointments tomorrow so I think things will be clearer then. thanks for info.

Rads vary
I don't see where everyone is getting the same amount of rads Peb. Everyone's different. Kind of like with chemo, everyone varies to some extent, but, not always.

I had 35 rads with 5 boosters. Others there were having different amounts.

I don't like or think I would ever want to do the mammosite therapy. There is no documented proof that it works. And, I wouldn't want to risk that. It is only for early stage bc, and, only targets the tumor site. I am glad I had the reg rads because it also targeted the lymph nodes under my arm and around my collarbone and the surrounding area by the tumor site.

So, good luck to you!

mimivac

Radiation treatments
Peb, as you can see most women here have had slight variations in their radiation therapy. As for me, I had 26 whole breast radiation treatments (2 zaps each time) and 7 booster treatments to the tumor site, for a total of 33 treatments. I have heard of the Mammosite method, but it is not yet standard therapy. I was eligible because of no node involvement, but doc. recommended against it. She said that it had not been tested long-term for efficacy and wanted me to do what was proven. Good luck with all your decisions. Let us know.

Kylez

crazylady55 said:

rad is different for everyone
My rad onc said that the treatment is based on a lot of variables. Type of cancer, location, node involvement, type of surgery, your body size, etc.

I finshed my rad on Friday. I had 28 sessions, with four treatment points across my chest (where my mastectomy scar is)so that was four "zaps" each session, every other day they used what they called a Bollis which increased the intensity of the radiation. Most of the women I talked to in the waiting room were only "zapped" once or twice each session and did not get the Bollis, most of them also had only a lumpectomy not a mastectomy so probably a lower stage of cancer.

Congrats on finishing rads
Congrats on finishing rads Crazylady!

Christmas Girl

Rads are not "one size fits all"
Although it may seem that the treatment doesn't vary that greatly.

I had lumpectomy surgery. At the onset, my rad onc informed that I'd "probably" have 30-35 total treatments - with perhaps the last 5 as "boosters"... In the end, I had 35 "standard" treatments - no boosters. However, each treatment was from 3 different angles/3 "shots": at the breast, 2 "shots"/one at each side (for whole breast treatment) - and, at my underarm (where 3 of 8 nodes tested positive).

Each patient is different - there should be no "cookie cutter" treatment for breast cancer.

Kind regards, Susan