Anyone had a Radiation “Boost”?

I had a radiation boost as well and I think it's pretty common. The first three weeks of radiation covered the entire breast. The last week booster focused on the area where the tumor was removed. I am glad you are asking your doctor for an explanation.

Thank you. Good to know it is pretty common. I did know it targets only the tumor area but I am not clear on why some people have it and others don’t.
For some reason, it seemed to affect me more intensely than the whole breast sessions did. Immediately afterwards I felt a shocking sensation near my armpit and I was ready for bed at about 6:00 pm! Lol
Did it seem to do that to you?

I had 15 days radiation with a boost at the same time. Boost is for tumor area. I finished June 2023 and took over a month to heal. Keep doing your stretches. Stay active- as well as not over doing it. I was about “done” mid day. Watch for lost ROM and swelling. I used Calendula cream (doctor recommended)daily.

@mchler73
I had 28 regular plus 9 boost treatments for my recurrent breast cancer in my chest wall. There was a positive margin after removing the tumor. I don’t remember boost treatments taking longer. My skin was already breaking down by the time I started boost treatments so they piled on. I had a lot of nerve pain the last couple weeks plus pain from open wounds on my skin. Couldn’t sleep. I used calendula cream twice a day until I had open wounds like a raspberry then they gave me silvadene burn cream. Everything healed up eventually. Skin was darker for about 6 months. Now the color is normal. Skin is still drier on that side of my chest 3 years later. My radiation area was about 8” x 12” then boost in smaller area around tumor. I only recently learned there is a thin layer of scar tissue on that lung but I don’t feel that it impacts my breathing.

I hope you heal up quickly. Use the cream am and pm. It helps.

I had the boost. Not much different

I had 15 boosts... The first one took much longer as they were verifying the settings. After that it was given at the end of each of my regular rad treatments and was very quick. Hope you are doing well!

I am about to start radiation treatments. What should I expect, fatigue?
It's treating my breast cancer. Surgery next week. Then radiation....

Will they have you wait a couple weeks to heal after surgery? I was supposed to start radiation a week earlier than I did, but the doc examined my breast and wanted to give it another week to heal before I started. I ended up starting 4 weeks after my 3rd surgery.

As far as what to expect, you will go in for a simulation and they will do a CT scan and make a mold of your upper body and will have you lay in that mold and same position each day you do the radiation treatments so that you are in the same/correct position. They gave me 4 tiny tattoos to help the techs know where to line up the radiation beam (But maybe not all places use the tattoo’s).
You won’t feel anything during the treatment and most of the time is spent positioning you. The whole treatment should only take about 15-20 minutes each time. How many treatments will you have?

Shortly after my first treatment, I felt like someone was continuously shocking me under my armpit and had some nerve pain in that area, as well. I told my doc and she said normally people don’t have any side effects that soon, but she has had a few women who have. They said that fatigue would most likely be the main side effect but I have only had a few days of feeling very tired.
My experience has been mostly pain in my breast and armpit area. My skin looks very sunburned and the area around my nipple has turned hard and raised. They gave me some gel to put on and that seems to help some. The redness didn’t start until a couple weeks in.
I have 2 treatments left of my Boost and the tech said it will probably get worse before it starts to get better.
All in all it was not as bad as I was imagining. I know it’s hard, but try not to worry. You will do great! Good luck with surgery!

I finished my radiation treatments Monday, Dec 4. I had 5 'regular' treatments and 4 'boost' treatments to finish. My boost treatments seemed shorter that the regular treatments.More ' targeted' . Interesting to watch.I started applying aveeno moistuizer to my breast before each treatment, similar to how I would use sunscreen. It made a Huge difference ! I was warned before and after each treatment about blistering and peeling, tightness and itchiness. On Tueday , my breast felt hot, like a bad sunburn, so I immediately coated it in Aveeno and the hot sensation stopped immediately. I was also told that the treaments would continue to work for 8-10 days and to be aware that the same symptoms apply. After each daily shower and at night, before going to bed , I repply the moisturizer. So today, 4 days post treatment, no dryness or tightness. But I am exhausted - so I'm listening to that and resting/ sleeping as needed. I was told the side effects, for me, tiredness, will last up to 4 weeks. I am 69 years old , and this has been my first experience with cancer. The boost treatments , for me , were because I was diagnosed with DCIS, had a lumpectomy and Lymph node removal. Pathology found precancerous IDC in margin - therefore specific radiation to surgery sites. The team of technicians in Radiotherapy here are So kind - each patient gets their own music playlist, if they want. I sang with Sting through each treatment ! I actually feel blessed that I only needed 9 treatments. Unscented moisturizer is the answer ! Keep Your breast and underarm well moisturized to reverse or avoid burning and blisters. I have very sensitive skin , as I was born a natural redhead. Many sunburns in my life. I would not use a true sunscreen unless advised by doc or techs. They were pretty specific about products - Aveeno or Glaxo - I use Aveeno regularly so I didn't need to go looking for moisturizer. I hope this helps . Sending much love and gratitude to everyone here ! Betty Collins

It was 3 years ago I had radiation for 30 days on the right side of chest + 3 days concentrated on area of tumor. (Boost?). I was advised to moisturize immediately after treatment (a.m.) plus 3 more times each day. I used Udderly Smooth (available on Amazon, farm supply stores and various other retailers). I preferred it because 1). It's inexpensive
2). It is a little more watery? than most creams or lotions so there is less friction on the damaged skin when applying and absorbs easier. 3). It was recommended not only by the radiation team, but also by one of my infusion nurses. I had zero problems with skin damage after 33 treatments. The skin in that area was a smidge darker, but you had to really look. The only issue I had was as it was summer, and you know about sweat under the breast, one day I was a little too aggressive with a washcloth and irritated the skin there. After a few days of a little TLC, it healed on its own, and i learned my lesson. I did not have a body mold, and only two tattooed dots. To this day I use Udderly Smooth as a body lotion.