LovelyRita

I will try to fix the link.

APBI as an Alternative

If you need to find it with Google, the title is:Accelerated partial breast irradiation as an alternative to whole breast irradiation in breast-conserving therapy for early-stage breast cancer by Timothy M Pawlik & Henry M Kuerer‌University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Department of Surgical Oncology, Unit 444, 1515 Holcombe Boulevard, Houston, Texas, TX 77030, USA

midsum1107-

When you write:   "On the one hand, I can start next week.  On the other, I might be able to shorten the time frame and achieve what appears at this time to be the same result." 

I would like to make clear the time frame was not, and is not, a  motivator for seeking out second opinions about other methods of radiation.  If the treatment I thought was right for me was longer than the others, I would have signed up! 

I have decided to have 3D Conformal radiation.

Thanks for all of you who have held my hand!   It was a lot of  help!

Just a comment here-

There have been a number of studies referenced and excerpted throughout this long thread.  I think somewhere amidst the pile, some have commented that certain of these studies are recent, and others are not. 

I would like to encourage readers to look at the dates of data collection and publication of studies referenced here or anywhere else.  It might influence how you look at the information presented.

For example, if I am not mistaken,  although the springerlink referenced above ("Factors associated with local breast cancer recurrence after lumpectomy alone" )  may have only been uploaded to the website a couple of years ago, the article was originally published in Annals of Surgical Oncology in July 1996.

I am not picking on anybody here.  As has been pointed out, most people's intent here is to inform and educate.  Knowing the dates of these studies helps me put them into an important context.  I can't tell you the number of times I have gotten excited by some "finding", only to look at the date, and know I need to look at whether a particular study has really held up over the years. 

Dear Summer,

You wrote:

"I am sure us cancer patients who underwent radiation therapy are happy to hear it does not affect survival benefit at the 20 year mark.  Kinda was wondering if rads treatment might work against our favor.  ty MarieKelly"

I re-read this many times, and cannot discern if you were being sarcastic or not.  Could you clarify your meaning?

All in all, do the Moderators here ever lock threads, and let them sink to the depths of the cyber-sea?  I am asking because of anything on these boards, this thread is causing me sleeplessness.   But I try to tell myself that this thread has become a battle of personal crusades, rather than one intended to help the original poster, so it should be viewed in that light.

 Or should it?

Chris,

Thank you so much.  That is very reassuring.  Especially when you admit to being kind of squeamish ...me, too.....I am the person who is covering her eyes at the gory parts in movies. 

I have read the thread titled,  "Has Anyone Done Mammosite Radiation therapy".  Lots of good information.  That thread has also seemed to evolve into a support group for broader personal issues, which is nice to see.  I was reluctant to post my specific questions in there as it seemed like it might be distracting from the ongoing events they are addressing in their dialogue. 

Next CT scheduled for Wednesday.  We shall see.   Thanks again.

Rita 

Dear Sue-

Thanks for your note.  What you wrote- ( "I really like the idea of only irradiating the area around where the cancer was") -is what is motivating me.  I really do not want whole breast radiatiation for my particular problem.  Yes, the surgeon did tell me that one is on antibiotics the whole time the Mammosite cath is in-- and aside from the discomfort of wearing it, infection is/was my major concern.

On the 3D Conformal high-dose partial breast irradiation--with my nerves being on edge, I've forgotten the particulars- is this a 5 to 6 week program, or does it vary?   

Thank you kindly. 

Hello,

This is my first post on this Board.  I had a needle localization followed by lumpectomy on 7/28.  In considering the variety of methods for having radiation treatments administered, the Mammosite with balloon made the most sense to me for my situation.  Especially appealing was focusing the radiation on the site of the surgery, and not irradiating the entire breast.

I am hoping to hear from my sisters who went before me in this experience, and perhaps others trying to increase their understanding and make decisions also.

I am scheduled for a CT Scan and SIM day after tomorrow.  If I am a suitable subject for Mammosite, and decide to go with this, the balloon device would be installed on Tuesday, Aug 12 by my surgeon,  then rechecked by scan at the oncologist that week.  The actual 5 day procedure would not start until Monday the 18th.  This timing make sense?

Believe it or not, the part I am most freaked out by right now is the length of time you have to have the balloon device installed, while keeping it dry, clean, and not dislodging it, while living your life and traveling twice a day for the treatments.  No showers. 

How in the world did you ladies sleep with that thing in your breast??  

How much of this device protrudes out of you, and how wide is that part?   Does it hurt?

I did see the device, but I can't picture wearing it around the clock for 11 days.    But it must be possible, as several of you did it.  Can you wear a front-zip sports bra over it?

 Advice, tips, and hand-holding would really be appreciated here.  Thank you.

Rita