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Breast Cancer (Expert Forum)
Mammocite or Brachytherapy
Questions posted in the Breast Cancer Forum are answered by medical professionals from The Cleveland Clinic. Topics include Breast Biopsy, Chemotherapy, Hormone Therapy, Lumps, Lumpectomy, Lymph node dissection, Lymphedema, Mammograms, Mastectomy, Radiation Therapy, Reconstruction, Self Breast Exam, and Surgery.
Mammocite or Brachytherapy
by Under Forty Pam, Jul 20, 2006 12:00AM
I was just diagnosed this week with early stage breast cancer, my Dr. told me I was a good candidate for an alternative form of radiation since it is small, ductal insitu, and I am 39 yrs old. I have been internet reading mixed messages on this new treatment but it promising to me, possibly enough to try it but I don't want to make a bad decision. Normal radiation is 5-6 weeks and 5 days a week. This type is 5 days, twice a day and then I would be done. I have been weighing the pros and cons of traditional and experimental and need some advice and help to do what is best. Has anyone had this done, is it too experimental still? HELP and CONFUSED....
Doctor's Answer
by CCF-RN,MSN-rf, Jul 20, 2006 12:00AM
Dear Under Forty Pam: There is still quite a bit of controversy surrounding mammosite. Depending on the radiation oncologist, you will hear differing opinions. It has not been compared head to head with traditional radiation therapy in any clinical trials, so it is difficult to determine long term effectiveness and side effects as compared with the more traditional methods. You might benefit from a second opinion from a radiation oncologist (preferrably one at a major teaching hospital) who may be on the cutting edge and can give you more information with which to make your decision.
Member Comments (27)
by Avidhiker, Jul 20, 2006 12:00AM
To: Under Forty Pam
Did you check with your insurance company to see if they will cover Brachytherapy as opposed to Mammocite? Radiation is VERY EXPENSIVE.
by Under Forty Pam, Jul 20, 2006 12:00AM
It is covered, it was approved by the FDA in 2002. I am looking to see if anyone has tried it or knows anyone that has tried it.
by Under Forty Pam, Jul 20, 2006 12:00AM
Avidhiker - Thanks for your suggestion, I did more research to make sure it was covered. It is FDA approved.
by Phillyfish, Jul 20, 2006 12:00AM
A friend of mine had the Brachytherapy about 18 months ago. She had a .6 non invasive DCIS tumor. She was very pleased with her treatment, especially the 5 days versus 33 days. The longer treatment would have made for more missed work time and as a single woman was a concern. She was older than you (61). That might be a condsideration.
by boninclyde, Jul 24, 2006 12:00AM
Please keep us posted on your decision and your outcome.
by Under Forty Pam, Jul 27, 2006 12:00AM
I have talked to 2 radiation oncologists now and neither will agree to the procedure due to my age, they said it is more proven on post-menoposal women. My lumpectomy is scheduled for tomorrow, I am nervous and can't wait to get that overwith as the first step. The doctor says I have a 30-50% chance of a second surgery to clear the margins, I thought that was very high and hope to beat some of the statistical data here soon.
by boninclyde, Jul 31, 2006 12:00AM
To: Under Fourty Pam Where Are You
Please post to let us know you are OK.
by Under Forty Pam, Aug 01, 2006 12:00AM
To: Boninclyde
I am ok, I am doing pretty well post lumpectomy on Friday, my husband is doing his best to keep me from lifting and doing all the things the dr. says to stop doing while I heal. I am on pins and needles waiting for the test results which are due back today. The Dr. says I have a 30-50% chance of needing a second surgery to get clear margins.
by Under Forty Pam, Aug 01, 2006 12:00AM
I posted right after my surgery on the calcification stream a little down from this one, sorry to make you nervous, thanks for thinking of me it good to know people are out there and caring.
by boninclyde, Aug 02, 2006 12:00AM
To: Under Fourty Pam
Glad to see your ok. Have you got your results? How are you feeling today?
by Under Forty Pam, Aug 02, 2006 12:00AM
To: Boninclyde
I feel pretty good, my husband is doing his best to keep me from doing too much already. I still don't have my test results from last Fri still. I have been calling constantly and now they are telling me I won't hear until Thu. I can't believe it takes so long for a test. I'll be healed up before I get them at this rate. I don't have much patience for stuff like that. Now that I am feeling better I can't bare the thought of a potential second surgery if they didn't get it all.
by boninclyde, Aug 02, 2006 12:00AM
To: Under Forty Pam
I am sorry you having to wait. This is just awful. They said it would take 6/7 days after my masectomy to get my FINAL results so I was quite surprised when they had told you 3 days (I believe that is what you said). Try to stay busy. Oh **** who am I kidding. My brain goes every second I am awake. They did tell me though that I would get a prelimary report of my pathology report from hospital but they keep my tissue and it will be tested 3 additional times before disposing of it just to make sure because there have been times that it was nagative then after futher testing on sample had to call people back to tell they were wrong about the initial diagnosis. I quess it depends on if you have so much going on in the breast like I do. I guess they test every inch which is good. Is this how yours works? That is the reason for my masectomy. I don't want to go through this again. I used to tell my husband I wanted a boob job. This is one hell of a way to get it. Ha.
by Under Forty Pam, Aug 02, 2006 12:00AM
To: boninclyde
They originally told me 2-3 days then when I was in for the surgery someone along the line even told me Mon. might be a possibility (I doubted the 24 hr turnaround). I complained to the Dr. in an email last night and he called me today with some results but not all of them. He said I have clear margins, yeah... but he doesn't know the invasive vs noninvasive or the receptor piece yet for determining the next course of action for sure but last he mentioned it would be radiation. I think some serious breast cancer dollars should be used to develop faster test results so people can have one surgery and one alone. Like do the biopsy, hang on the table for a few minutes, do the lumpectomy in little pieces till you are clear or work into a mastectomy if needed but quit messaging with peoples heads. And, if I am really dreaming here figure out a way to take mammograms, biopsys and wire localizations without squeezing the heck out of a gal. My husband is liking my new boob a lot, he says it looks like I got a boob job because it is swollen larger than the other one, at least a cup size for sure if not two. I told him not to get used to it I was not having any electives sugeries after this experience. He is only kidding.
by boninclyde, Aug 03, 2006 12:00AM
To: Under Forty Pam
I'll keep watch for your next post.
by Under Forty Pam, Aug 03, 2006 12:00AM
To: boninclyde
Got the test results today. No more surgery required, clear margins!!! It is not invasive so radiation is enough for my next step. Not sure on whether I can take the hormone drug or not, split results there I think, he said I needed to talk to the oncology Dr. to get his take on it. I am happy about the results I don't care about the drug one way or another, whatever they say I'll do. The doc says I can resume most of my activities but he won't let me go back to playing softball and volleyball (he calls them contact sports, it's not football) yet until he sees me on Monday and has a look at my healing progress first. Reluctantly I agreed to wait until then. I made an appt to see a radiation onocologist next Wed but I bet when he sees my surgery date he'll cancel it and make me move it out. I want to get it over with but they keep telling me I have to heal more first (3-4 wks). They are fussy, don't get radiation too early but don't get it too late either, make up the