Radiation 5 vs 15 fractions

Posted by Lynn @lynnmarie406, Sep 2 2:56pm

Hi all 🌻

I just got my surgery’s pathology report and it’s all great! The chemo had killed all of my HER2+++ tumor and nothing in the nodes!! Yay. 🎉
But, along with the lumpectomy/lift I received, comes the bonus prize of ✨radiation. ✨
I had a phone consultation with radiation today and was told they have changed protocol and would like to give me 5 days at a high dose (26 gray in 5 fractions= 5.2gy per day) It was previously discussed back in May that I would be receiving a 15 day treatment (40 gray in 15 fractions=2.67gy/day) Even though the total amount is more for the 15 day, the daily radiation is doubled for the 5 day plan.
The nurse who called me said, the result and side effects are the same, if not better on side effects. But I am reading up on it and this 5 day plan is relatively new, having been accepted in Europe in oct 2020 and some of the US clinics in 2021.
Where I am receiving treatment, at Md Anderson near Houston, I was told radiation oncology “recently change their protocol” to offer this option.
Now my question, has anyone had this 5 day regimen?? Do you, or your doctors, think that the long term side effects are more or less than the traditional 15 day regiment would’ve been?
I guess I mostly worried that receiving a such higher doses of radiation would be more harmful than receiving multiple smaller doses. I did read that the higher doses do cause more fibrosis and hardening of the breast tissue and the breast skin than the lower daily dosage would. I’m also worried that the stronger radiation would affect your heart and lungs.
I’m seriously considering, requesting the 15 day regimen. The convenience of five days doesn’t really draw me in. I live like 15 minutes from the cancer center and going every day wouldn’t bother me.
What are your thoughts on this?
Thanks so much😊

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Breast Cancer Support Group.

halo1 | @greppia | Sep 9 9:48am

I have idc, first in the left breast and two years later 2025, in the right breast. Both times I did radiation and was never offered anything but the five day regimen. No possible side effects were ever explained to me just that the five day regimen would be the same as a longer regimen. After reading your post, I feel a little angry that all that was never explained to me and no other option was ever offered.

turtle4115 | @turtle4115 | Sep 10 10:53am

I had the five day in April. Because of the location of my cancer the Doctor felt it was less likely to harm my heart. The higher dose is also directed to a smaller area. The only side effect that I have experienced so far is the fatigue which lasted about 6 weeks. Because of the higher dose of radiation my Doctor did 3 treatments the first week and 2 the second week.
Radiation was not necessarily part of the protocol for my stage 1 IDC but I was afraid that I would not tolerate the AI so I opted for radiation. As expected the Anastrozole immediately jumped my BP. I currently have no prescription meds and chose not to go down the rabbit hole of adding medications to combat side effects. I'm 75 and the chances that I'll die of something else goes up each year. I want to enjoy my life to the fullest not be in pain or keeping track of medications.