MAMMOSITE BALLOON?

Has anyone experienced the balloon breaking?  

[zouzi]

Hi,
Sorry that your post hasn't been answered yet.I was hoping that someone who had your same experience would comment about it.
Personally I don't have any experience about Mammo Site targeted radiation therapy, but I have read that the balloon rupture,although rare and not dangerous, could happen in 4 to 10% of cases.
I hope that all has been fixed by your Oncologist and that you are doing quite well.
Best wishes...

[bpadelford]

Thank you Zouzi,  The Oncology Surgeon and Radiology MD has agreed that they do not want to give me another balloon.  They are giving the site a chance to settle down and will prepare me for a different procedure.  I just dont want to do the 6 1/2 week.   I've had different comments from acquaintances that at my age (71) their doctors would not offer radiation, with all the margins and nodes being clear.  So much info,I get confused.

[bluebutterfly2222]

A study performed at Mass Gen. Hosp. and reported at the 2010 Meeting of the Amer. Soc. of Clin. Oncol. found that older women (70 or over) with ER+ Stage 1 BC could skip radiation if they took tamoxifen.

This might be a possibility to disacuss with your treatment team.

Best wishes,
bluebutterfly

[bpadelford]

Thank you for the info., I will certainly talk to the MD about this.  sounds promising

[zouzi]

Hi again and you are welcome!
If I were you, I would not listen to comments given by acquaintances.Each person who has breast cancer has a specific plan concerning treatments that may not be applied to your own case.
I also had clear margins, clear lymph nodes and a very small tumor,but my Surgeon recommended that I have radiation,just in case a few malignant cells had escaped during surgery.Having the breast radiated would significantly reduce the risk of recurrence.
I had 20 radiation sessions 3 years ago,with little discomfort and thank God,I am doing quite well.
If you have a small cancer that has been removed with clear margins/ clear lymph nodes and you're concerned about how radiation will affect you, talk and trust your team of doctors, especially if you have other health problems.Please don't be confused,trust the experts and I am sure that they will make the right decision for you, having your best interest at heart.
Wishing you all the best and good luck.

[zouzi]

Yes, bluebutterfly is absolutely right saying that tamoxifen could be an option too.
I hope that your team of doctors will consider this drug instead of radiation therapy.
All the best...

P.S Thanks bb for the info...It skipped my mind completely! LOL