Radiation for left Breast Lobular Invasive Cancer

[Gram10]

I have had lumpectomy and re-section (though margins were clear, one was narrower) for 1.1cm lobular invasive breast cancer, ER+  PR -, intermediate aggressive on Oncotype DX, (barely), so four rounds of chemo with Cytoxin and Taxotere (no Adrymycin -- heart).

Clear margins on both original and re-excision, no lymph node involvement.  Now I'm to begin 32 radiation treatments on the left breast.  I'm concerned about new reports on damage to heart.
I read that I need another opinion with clear margins and nodes in this stage 1 cancer.  What do you think about radiation?

[MiracleB]

I too had a lumpectomy and am pending further treatment, because when my lump was removed, the pathologist said there was no cancer cells or abnormailties at all. Of course I am claiming it as a miracle and very thankful, but then again it raised some additional concerns. #1.  If there was no cancer or is no cancer, then why do I need any further treatment? It was explained to me, by my surgeon, as we discussed my options, that although he was very optomistic that he could save my breast and remove the cancer with a lumpectomy and sentinal node biopsy only, that it meant approximately 7 weeks of radiation treatment as part of this option, as radiation is used to treat locally and help decrease the chance of re-occurrance. He said cheom is usually used to treat systemically, especially if it has spread to the lymphatic sytem or other areas. Then, after surgery, with the negative pathology report, I asked my Oncologist about why radiation is still being considered. He said, that although I have the choice not to do it, it would most likely be highly recommened and that this is the normal standard operating procedure of treatment for lumpectomies compared to mastectomies. But, he said, the fact that no abnormal pathology was found on lump removed, that it warranted an MRI, of both breasts, which is also standard procedure, to make sure nothing else is going on and then, depending on the MRI results, we would discuss further treatment. I asked the Oncologist about side affects from radiation and as RC has stated, he echoed the fact that techniques have improved a great deal to help prevent major problems, but he was honest enough to say, that there has still been some cases, usuaully reported about 10 years after radiation, which have caused heart and lung problems. I too have a heart condition and although this gives extra concern, I truly believe that it outweighs what I need right now to prevent any re-occurrance. I have head multiple horror storied from personal friends that elected not to do radiation as recommended and in less than 1 year, their cancer was back with a vengence!. Now, unfortunately in retrospect and hind sight; they ALL SAY, DO THE RADIATION! I say Kill the disease now and keep up with regular exams to check anything and everything for any possible side affects. I too, because of my heart condition, which by itself has the possibility of causing muscle damage to my heart, have  blood work, stress test, with dye and pictures and an echo done on a yearly basis, per my heart doctor and I see him every 3 months for a routine exam.  

[rcmaxson]

sorry i didnt mention the heart my wife in the last six years has had 61 radiation treatment and has had ekg's heart echocardiagrams and stress tests done and no damage was found. radiation therapy has come along way and the physical side affects are very minimal.

[rcmaxson]

i have done a lot of research and have asked dozens of questions with doctors regarding radiation , i believe in radiation therapy for the mere fact that all the places cancer can go chemo cannot like scar tissue and some times the skin . so if you have any cancer cells in these areas then radiation is the only thing that can help to kill all remaining cancer cell and increase your chances for total remission. i would and have asked questions of both an oncologist and radiation oncologist about this very subject and tahat was the answers given by both . so i think you need to ask these same questions with both of your oncologists (skin, scar tissue ) ect as i mentioneed above and seee what they say. i hope and pray whayever treatment they and you decide to do will bring you to a cancer free and long life.