When should radiation therapy begin?

[Rosey07]

Following an excisional biopsy, I had a lumpectomy on Oct. 24 for DCIS - Stage 0.  Pathology came back with a close margin, and of high grade type.   I was told by the radiation oncologist treatment would start 4-5 weeks after my surgery.  My treatment has been delayed due to schedule delays on the part of the doctor and also his vacation plans.

It's now been 7 weeks and still no call back from the radiation oncologist (I've called his office 3 times already questioning startup date) as to when my treatments can begin.  I have already had my breast marked two and a half weeks ago and am ready to begin.  

How urgent is it for my treatment to begin?  

[Fernando Roque, MD]

Hi. Ideally, your radiation treatment should really begin 4-5 weeks after the surgery.  A delay of up to 8 weeks post-surgery is probably tolerable, but any longer may affect the efficacy of the treatment.

[peg1254]

I think I would get a new Doctor .

[marydenise]

Or, I wouldn't get the radiation, at all.

For a Stage 0 cancer, do you really want to risk all of those radiation side effects?

I had a Stage 1 IDC, and refused the radiation.

[Norah_Za]

I had DCIS, Stage 0 with high grade just like yours. I am finishing the radiation today. Radiation would reduce the chance of DCIS coming back. There is a chance of it coming back especially with high grades like yours and mine. The short term side effect of radiation which is different for people could be redness, dryness and itchiness of skin. Mine is like this. Would you rather your DCIS to come back most likely as invasive cancer or you would accept short term or even long term side effect of radiation? My radiation stated 6 weeks after the surgery. It is not that urgent. It would let your healing to be completed better. DCIS is not invasive cancer and not that aggressive and hopeful they took out all the cancer cells in the surgery. Radiation is just to kill the microscopic cells which may have left out. I know that you get a lot of opinions here in this forum but do your own research and talk to your doctor. Talk to your surgeon and show your concern about the delay in radiation. You may need to change your doctor. Good luck.