radiation

I opted not to have radiation.  I did not like the chances of making my lymphadema worse or expanding it.  Chemo worked to shrink the tumor in breast to nearly nothing but I had to lose lymph nodes under arm.  Here is pathology report.

Microcalcifications: Not Identified
BREAST, LEFT, SEGMENTECTOMY (A):
-INFILTRATIONG DUCTAL CARCINOMA, MODERATELY DIFFERENTIATED
-TUMOR MEASURES 0.4 CM. ON TISSUE SECTION (this is at surgery, after chemo)
- MODIFIED BLOOM-RICHARDSON COMPOSITE HISTOLOGIC GRADE 3 OF 3 9TUBULAR FORMATION 3, NUCLEAR PLEOMORPHISM 3, MITOTIC COUNT 1; 7/9)
- NO INTRADUCTAL CARCINOMA PRESENT
- NO EVIDENCED OF ANGIOLYMPATIC SPACE INVASION
-TUMOR IS 0.7 CM FROM THE INKED SUPERFICIAL/LATERAL MARGIN (A5)
- PATHOLOGIC STATE IIA (AJCC, 2002): yT1a yN1 MX    (does this mean when removed it was now a stage 2 instead of a stage 4 as I was told in the beginning)

LYMPH NODES, LEFT AXILLA, DISSECTION (C):
-ONE OF FIFTEEN (1/15) LYMPH NODES POSITIVE FOR METASTATIC CARCINOMA, UP TO 1.9 CM., WITH EXTRANODAL EXTENSION
- TUMOR CELLS ARE NEGATIVE FOR ER, PR, AND HER-2/neu BY IMMUNOHISTOCHEMISTRY

now I know that I can make my doctor go every single thing but this is less stressful for me.  If I had a dictionary that would tell me what each thing meant I could put it together myself.  Please help me because my doctor asked me again if I was still against the radiation but all he could say to me was about the 30% chance of return.

[lhughes69]

I went through radiation after a mastectomy and chemo (A/C and Abraxane) for stage 3 cancer.  I had 1 lymph node involved of 3 and an additional 11 removed.  Although  UAB thought that it was probably junk from the biopsy, they also advised that I was doing the right thing with radiation.  It didn't bother my lymphedema, although my radiation oncologist sent me to physical therapy during the radiation.  As of now, my arm is no bigger, no smaller than when they removed all those lymph nodes.  It's a guess as to who will become affected by lymphadema and who will not.  

My opinion, is go with the radiation.  It's better to kill the cancer and deal with lymphadema than to wonder and worry that you didn't do all you could do.  Lymphadema can be controlled and lived with.  If you do not have a sleeve, get one.  You'll need one for specific things, like any further surgeries and flying in a plane.  I wore mine during radiation, too and for a while after.

[sonu78]

Hi,
PATHOLOGIC STATE IIA (AJCC, 2002): yT1a yN1 MX    
In this stage you should go in fopr radiotherapy.
Do sit and work out with the oncologist and surgeon  and go ahead with radiotherapy.

[saj1976]

I had 4 positive nodes and a 5.5 cm tumor with a lumpectomy. I think if radiation can kill the tumor in whats left of the nodes they didn't take out or if in taking them out there is any cancer left  you should go for it. Radiation can be and in my case was very uncomfortable because I had skin breakdown. But it does or should kill whats left in your node. I too was very concerned about lymphadema due to my mothers experience. I was also told by my onco. that I would definately have a problem with it. I was treated 1 year ago and had Taxotere at the same time. Since that cause over all swelling my right arm was larger then my left and was a little uncomfortable. He sent me to physical therapy, I got a sleeve to reduce swelling and to be honest I haven't had too many problem since. I wear the sleeve when I am doing repeative motions with my right arm They taught me arm massage that opens the lymph system you have left and drains it. I don't regret having it but make sure you take care of you. Where a barely there bra to support you and protect your clothes. Remember there is so much they can do now to assist with edema its not worth the chance. I was very parinoid about have the treatment but now I'm a year out and I take care of me and am glad I had it done. Good luck