← Return to Right breast cancer DCIS: Is 4-5 weeks of radiation normal protocol?

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@callalloo

The trend in radiation for breast cancers caught that early has evolved a lot. I had a similar situation, with a very small lesion caught early, and negative sentinel lymph node.
The radiation recommended, as an option to consider, was five sessions, each two days apart at Cleveland Clinic. I know that other cancer centers are looking at very short-term radiation as well. [While I was figuring out my decision, I read of a woman who had a similar situation and went to Mayo Clinic and had five sessions of radiation also over a 10-day period of time so I think that that's going to be a general trend.]

One limiting factor will be if the radiation facility has the state of the art technology and people trained to use it. One thing I've learned from a cancer journey is that some recommendations that are made may not be the best state of the art protocol but are the best that a facility can offer at that time and dependent upon the age or quality of its technology. That is one serious argument for going to a top-ranked well-endowed facility that can provide the best current options. I'm always inclined to get a second opinion but any medical decision that is essentially irreversible because that tilts the risk reward balance a lot in my opinion.

For what it's worth, I did have the OncotypeDX test done at the recommendation of my oncologist. It was very reassuring in my case and I'm glad that I did it because it provides more data than just that upon which a chemo decision is made.

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Replies to "The trend in radiation for breast cancers caught that early has evolved a lot. I had..."

Wow, this information makes me wonder if I should travel to Cleveland or Mayo for the 10 day treatment or how it compares to the treatment that I’m being offered? Any idea what the strength of radiation for the 10 day was?