Breast Cancer Radiation exposure

My mother had radiation treatments (for breast cancer) approximately 8 weeks ago (2 a day for 5 days).  She suffered a sever case of radiation burn that would not heal.  She was recently informed that there was "misadministration of the radition therapy dose due to an error in the measurement".  She had siginificant radiation dose up to 68Gy to about 10ml of skin in the upper left breast.  Her radiation burn is now starting to heal (after several different treatments), but she is now concerned about any long term affects due to this error.  She was informed that the radiation went airborne instead of to the breast area.  Are there any tests that can be administered to ensure she was not "overly" exposed to radiation during her treatements?  Are there any potential long-term affects that she should be concerned about?

[katarina777]

That is horrible, debon! I a so sorry for you guys.

We know she received too much radiation and that her burns were severe. But how much of the radiation really got to her breast if some went airborn? How do you know she may not have gotten enough even?

And then like you say, where else did it go? What I mean, we don't know exactly what happened from the time they clicked the button?

And the clinic or hospital may or may know more that they are not telling you, either.

I think, and what do I know? These are just some thoughts, that you of course really need to watch your mother, and she herself, and even take notes?

But I also think, (not know) that she needs some other type of protection incase her condition worsens? Like maybe legal protection, or help?

I have no knowing if she is in any danger, of course and am just like you worried.  Kat

[alidi]

Hi, what kind of Radiation treatment your Mom had?, 2 sessions a day for 5 days must have been Brachyterapy mammosite or Multiple Catherers.  or Savi, all I mentioned are
High intensity treatments , which only take 5 days, I think, you need to find out all specifics on her treatment, please, let us know,Radiation , when done by a qualify Center
will reduce the % of re-currance. You never told us, What is your Mom's Cancer Stage, nor the size of her tumor. I wish your Mom well, and She has my prayers.I know She will overcome thie bad expirience.

[katarina777]

Hi alidi, i am hardly an expert on the different types of radiation treatments available for bc, but this is what I heard about people like myself who go to 'progressive', and/or 'top notch clinics'. (and that does not mean I did; i did not)
I was diagnosed with IBC in 2007 and had the usual first chemo, then surgery, then once daily radiation , then hormone therapy. (because I was hormone receptor positive) and less patients with this diagnosis are than not positive.

I didn't know anything when I got this, and way too little to even ask questions?

Anyway, my point is that since I finished my initial treatment I have read pretty much everywhere, like on the trustworthy websites dealing with IBC, that the preferred  treatment for IBC with Radiation is two times daily and for appr. 34 days. (I had one daily for 34 days)

This is explained by something that I understood to mean that the 2 times daily actually really makes a big difference and favorable impact on prognosis, that it's too long to put 24 hours between treatments, never mind weekends, holidays, etc.

I never discussed this with anyone but I know that I was treated the way I was because at my cancer clinic once a day is the only option there is for bc patients, and therefore possible other benefits from doing it twice daily are not talked about just because they are not offered.

KAT

[alidi]

Hi Katarina777: I , like you ,was diagnosed with IBC. After 2 surgeries, one month apart.
and at a Top Cancer Center, My Margins were clear, Centinel Nodes Negative, and Onco test score 13, with a 9% re-currance, my Surgeon did not talked or mention Mammosite or Savi Radiation treatments, I found out after and late, I was a good candidate for those
procedures. The Radiologist inserts an small ballon or device at the time of Surgery or
shortly after. the patient gets localized Radiation, twice a day for 5 days. VERY SIMPLE
and effective if done by a qualify doctor.I like to know if Debon's mom expirienced the burns from any of this treatments or she had Standard Beam Radiation.Standard R.  must be done for 5 or 6 weeks. If I am misinformed, please, correct me.
Regrds, Ali.