Radiation or not

Posted by gerarda @gerarda, Nov 23, 2022

Hi,
I’m 77 and had a lumpectomy for invasive ductal carcinoma. ER+, Her2-, 1.4cm.
Oncologist said radiation and tamoxifen,
Tamoxifen because I have mild osteoporosis and it’s less damaging to the bones. She also said that it was reasonable for me to skip RT.
The radiologist said with radiation the chance of recurrence would be 1-2%, without radiation it would be 10%. She also said it would be okay to skip radiation because the overall survival rate is the same, with or without radiation. Has anyone had to make that choice? I would love some input. Thanks.

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texas5 | @texas5 | May 30, 2025

In reply to @windyshores "My docs go by the Oncotype on this decision, not whether there was an involved lymph..." + (show)

May I your stats and onco score?
If I understand correctly radiation determined by onco scores?

val97 | @val97 | Jun 3, 2025

My understanding is that Oncotype determines if you need chemo, lymph node or not. I believe anything over a 26.

savvyme1 | @savvyme1 | Mar 21 5:57pm

I am struggling with the decision to have radiation after DCIS situ diagnosis, and lumpectomy. I have many concerns and do not want this treatment.

jwmusic65 | @jwmusic65 | Mar 22 8:34am

In reply to @savvyme1 "I am struggling with the decision to have radiation after DCIS situ diagnosis, and lumpectomy. I..." + (show)

I did radiation. It sucks energy from you but is not as intense as chemo. Just be sure to take care of your skin daily .. I’m sure the radiologist will suggest creams to put on it.

jmab | @jmab | Mar 22 1:15pm

In reply to @savvyme1 "I am struggling with the decision to have radiation after DCIS situ diagnosis, and lumpectomy. I..." + (show)

@savvyme1 I had early stage ILC & after lumpectomy, did the 5-day radiation treatment in December. 5 minutes per day. Very easy! Skin turned a slight pinkish color afterwards but it's completely gone now. So grateful that these shorter treatments are available now!

nancyk71 | @nancyk71 | Mar 22 3:42pm

In reply to @savvyme1 "I am struggling with the decision to have radiation after DCIS situ diagnosis, and lumpectomy. I..." + (show)

@savvyme1

If you haven't had the operation yet, I would highly recommend looking into intraoperative radiation, which is radiation they do right during the operation in the actual pocket left by the lumpectomy, instead of radiation afterwards. There is a good bit of evidence that, if you are a candidate for it, it is just as effective as postoperative radiation, and much easier on you. I had intraoperative radiation, and I had absolutely no sickness or skin burning or anything else associated with it.

val97 | @val97 | Mar 23 7:07am

I was diagnosed with BC in 2023. Her2 - HR/PR + and premenopausal. I had a double masectomy but my surgeon was urging radiation. I did a lot of research about radiation and went to several radiation oncologists. Two were urging six weeks of chemo because my margins were not clear. I drove several hours to go to a breast cancer hospital and asked a lot of questions about outcomes. I was told I was a very grey case, and could go either way. I pushed for another surgery to get clear margins and opted out of radiation. Just last year I had my ovaries removed to put me in menopause so I could change medications. I think, in any case, we need to do our research and ultimately decide what is best for our personal situation. I am also keeping an eye on a case studies being done about oncotype helping determine raditation as well as chemo. My score was 0 (zero) on my left side and 11 on my right.

brooklyn22 | @brooklyn22 | Mar 23 7:30am

In reply to @val97 "I was diagnosed with BC in 2023. Her2 - HR/PR + and premenopausal. I had a..." + (show)

@val97 good luck on your journey question oncoscore is a blood test I never heard 2 different scores?? one for each breast? I had lumpectomy Onco score zero ki67 10 everything was tested for both breasts? Not sure Wht you are referring to.

brooklyn22 | @brooklyn22 | Mar 23 7:31am

In reply to @jmab "@savvyme1 I had early stage ILC & after lumpectomy, did the 5-day radiation treatment in December...." + (show)

@jmab great to hear I never heard of just 5 min of rad even for 5 day treatment?

val97 | @val97 | Mar 23 8:25am

In reply to @brooklyn22 "@val97 good luck on your journey question oncoscore is a blood test I never heard 2..." + (show)

@brooklyn22 Yes. You can have different breast cancers in each breast as well. At first they said I didn't have invasive on right and then said it was after I had the masectomy. So, they had tested the left for an oncotype but not the right because I didn't have my Her2 test. After that came back negative, they did oncotype and it was 11.