TO HAVE RADIATION OR NOT

In April of this yr I was diagnosed with infiltrating ductal carcinoma. I am stage 2b, grade 2, 2.9cm, 1 node involved. PR+ ER- HER2 +. I have finished chemo 4 rounds of AC and 4 rounds of taxotere. I just had a gamma scan, mri, mammogram, and ultrasound. The tumor has shrunk to be half the size it was and the node appears normal now. My surgical oncologist is telling me I need radiation, but my 2nd opinion breast sugical oncologist says she doesnt think I need radiation. What is the rule of thumb here?? Do I have a better chance of it not returning if I have it or is it over kill?? I heard it can CAUSE cancer. Please help.

Thanks in Advance,
Tracey

[madgeOwens]

Did you have a mastectomy?

[traceyz]

I am gonna have a bilateral.

[madgeOwens]

I feel the same way about radiation.  I would have thought if they do mastectomy and chemo that would be enough. I think your oncologist would know best.  Some women in here who know so much about all this can give you some advice, but really you need to get doctors opinions. Maybe one od the physicians will read your post and offer their learned opinion. Good luck to you.

[japdip]

If you're having a bilateral mastectomy I would lean toward the recommendation of the Surgical Oncologist; no radiation. Radiation treatments as they are given wouldn't be likely to cause cancer though .... even mammograms are said to increase your risk for cancer.  Regards .....