Radiation Dosage

[Kathy Q]

Hi,

I Was diagnosed with DCIS on my left breast and have just started what they're estimating will be 6-7 weeks of daily (M-F) radiation.  They said the daily dose I'm receiving is 180.  Can you put that in context for me?  Is it a lot, a little, somewhere in between?  If the mass that they're radiating is important, prior to starting the radiation I had a needle localization excision and two additional re-excisions to get clear margins.  I'd estimate about a quarter of my breast between the center of my chest and my left nipple was removed.

Thanks again for this wonderful forum.  I read it daily.

Kathy

[CCF-RN,MSN-rf]

Dear Kathy Q:  This is standard.  Radiation therapy is delivered in "fractions."  That is, the total dose is divided into smaller increments and given over time.  This is done to minimize side effects.

[Kathy Q]

Thank you so much for your responses.  As always you give information that fights fear with facts.  This forum is awesome!

Kathy Q

[callierose]

Hi,

Anywhere between 180 - 250 cGy(measurement of radiation dose) is normal for treatment of breast cancer.  Having a lower daily dose over more treatments (as you are having) helps to reduce side effect.  All the best with your treatments.

[surgeon]

the total amount of radiation a person receives is a pretty standard calculation; in what increments it's delivered can vary somewhat depending on anatomy and equipment. You are describing standard treatment.