Does the radiation site matters significantly for stage I breast cancer in MA?

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Janu2017
Janu2017 Member Posts: 1
in Breast Cancer #1

Hello,

 

I can choose between Mount Auburn and Beth Israel Medical Center for radiation therapy? I wonder if the type of linear accelerator makes a significant difference that would justify the inconvenience of travelling further. Mount Auburn is 20 minutes from my work. 

 

Thanks!

 

Best wishes for everyone!

 

We got this! :)

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  • Mariangel43
    Mariangel43 Member Posts: 79
    #2
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    Radiation site

    Janu,  even though a new linear accelerator may have an advantage form an old one, what matters most is the type of therapy they are giving you.  If you have a lumpectomy, you are supposed to have a conventional therapy with or without boosts to reduce the probability of having a recurrence. Another factor is age; if you are old enough and had a mx, you would have a shorter therapy according to the new guidelines.  If margins were clean or not, having regional mets (lymph nodes or vascular invasion), type of breast cancer (not all b/c are equal), and staging are the factors considered to decide the type of therapy.  

    If you are still worried about the type of linac they will be using, go to the website of both centers, identify the kind of accelerators, and then look for specific information about the equipment (narrow beam vs wide beam, collimators, rotation capacity, etc) and then you will better make your decision.  Also find out about the experience of physicians, health physicists, technicians, etc.  The best equipment of the world will be worthless if the health team does not know how to use it.

    I cannot remember all factors involved now cause it is 1:23 am  and I am a little braing fogged now.  So if you could give more info, I would gladly make the search for you so you can decide.  See you soon. 

    Maria

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