Partial breast vs. whole breast radiation for left breast
Hi There,
I'm wondering if anyone has direct or indirect experience with partial breast radiation vs whole breast radiation for the left breast in terms of short and long term side effects. I'm a candidate for partial but I'd like to do whatever is least invasive especially for my heart and lungs.
I'm also curious if anyone has an opinion about the radiation oncology team and equipment at UCSF vs CPMC. My radiation oncologist at CPMC offered both as options but seems to favor whole breast. I got a 2nd opinion at UCSF and she seems to favor partial breast in my case. I'm wondering if it's because the team at UCSF is more experienced and the equipment there is more cutting edge. I'm trying to gather as much data so I feel confident in my decision.
Thank you!
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Hi
I had radiation at UC Davis in Sacramento. I think it was whole breast left side. I was really impressed with the RO because he spent much effort to make sure my lungs and heart weren’t getting hit. That was my concern. I was in a prone position as that was the most favorable to avoid lungs and heart. I feel confident getting treatment at the UC’s because they are research hospitals. I don’t know much about CPMC
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Thanks very much for your feedback!
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I have no opinions about the specific team, but I originally thought I would get partial left because the biopsy of the suspect lymph node was negative, but I ended up with whole left because the surgery revealedthat the lymph node reacted to chemo like there had been cancer there. They made sure to measure everything carefully and were careful about the position of my diaphragm before they zapped me, to help protect my heart and lungs.
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oh wow @melbo - didn't know they had that type of test (negative node reaction to chemo)! I had anOncotype test that determined whether or not chemo would be effective. Were you prone or supine for your radiation?
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I’m not sure it was a test per se — more like they could tell that it reacted to chemo and it wouldn’t have reacted like that unless there had been cancer in it.
I was on my back for all my radiation.
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Ah ok, thanks.
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city, I had all my treatment at CPMC. My radiation oncologist was Mark Rounsaville (he was head of dept) and he was great. I was offered partial radiation but decided not to do it bacause i was triple positive. I did, however, have the 3 week radiation protocol and it was easy-peasy. No burns, blisters. Love the CPMC campus.
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Cowgirl, partial was very new at that time, amazing they offered it to you. Great that your treatment went well! Were you prone or supine for your treatment? I’ve been reading that prone may be better for heart & lung exposure but not everyone can do prone. Sounds like you didn’t have any late side effects which is great. Thanks for your feedback!
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