Ultra-Hypofractionated (Accelerated) Radiation Therapy
I had a lumpectomy about 2 months ago. Tumor was 1.2 cm and margins were clear.
I was unable to tolerate the Letrozole. Horrible back pain that kept me bed bound.
I am 81 years old with several other health issues that I have not had the time or emotional capacity to deal with at this time. Also my only child is quite sick so I worry about her and she cannot help me.
I live alone and the idea of have 3 or 4 weeks of radiation every day is unthinkable.
I did some research on the 5 treatment plan which sounds like it would be a good choice for me. I have an appointment with the radiology oncologist next week. I am thinking of insisting on this treatment.
Can anyone tell me of their experience. I am SOOOO exhausted from the stress of my life I can barely stand it.
Jane
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Hi @jbcamel and welcome to Breastcancer.org!
It sounds like you're an ideal candidate for this type of accelerated radiation therapy, according to our site:
"It’s important to know that external accelerated partial-breast radiation is not for everyone diagnosed with breast cancer. Both the NCCN and ASTRO guidelines on accelerated partial-breast radiation say that this technique may be offered to:
- Women age 50 and older without a BRCA mutation who are diagnosed with hormone-receptor-positive breast cancer that is 2 centimeters or smaller in size. The cancer must have been removed with clear margins, meaning no cancer was found in the margins, and the margins must be 2 millimeters or larger. There can also be no cancer cells in the blood vessels or lymphatic system."
There's also a helpful podcast we did on this subject you might find interesting, which talks about the benefits, risks, and side effects:
We encourage you to take this information to your doctor and share your thoughts on why this type of schedule will benefit you. Please let us know how the conversation goes and when you will be starting so that we can support you through it and celebrate the completion with you!
We're sure others will be by soon to share their experiences with this type of radiation schedule. In the meantime, you may want to browse these topics in the search results for "accelerated radiation" to read others' accounts and experiences.
We hope this helps!
—The Mods
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Thank you this was very helpful. I just looked at the surgical pathology report and there were 7 samples all with margins greater than 3mm and all negative. They did not test my lymph nodes. They said that for women of my age and type of cancer they usually don't do that.
I plan to hold steady on this. I simply cannot handle weeks of radiation.
I would be interested in knowing what types of skin issues I can expect from the five day program. I know the radiation levels are higher.
Jane
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Glad we could be helpful! Here's some info on radiation side effects and how to prevent and manage them:
Others will surely be by soon to share!
This thread is also very helpful: What to Do / Get / Pack to Prepare for Radiation Therapy
Hugs!
—The Mods
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