Ask an Expert is a free question-and-answer service about breast cancer and breast health that is available on weekends. If you'd like to ask a question or comment, please visit us again on Saturday or Sunday. In the meantime, please search the existing topics using the search tool at the top of the page. It's quite possible that one of our many existing topics already addresses your question.
If you would like a consultation with a breast specialist at the Johns Hopkins Avon Foundation Breast Center, call 443-778-2778. It is possible to get an appointment for a second opinion within a few days of contacting us.
We hope you find the information helpful!
| Forum | Questions | Ask a Question | |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
Lumpectomy with Sentinel Node Biopsy Questions about Lumpectomy with Sentinel Node Biopsy. |
885 |  |
| Asked | Publicly Submitted Question | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 7/6/2011 | I had a lumpectomy of a Stage IA .7 mm invasive ductal carcinoma with clear margins and the sentinel node is negative. My radiation oncologist is recommending a full 5 weeks of radation with boost in the 5th week. It sounds long and typical. I'm wondering if there are shorter durations for my level of cancer. Thanks! I will go on Tamoxifin(sp?) after radiation. | ||
| Replied | JHU's Breast Center Reply | ||
| 7/7/2011 | Thanks for turning to the Johns Hopkins Breast Center. Congratulations on clear margins and negative nodes. You raise a good question. However, lumpectomy and radiation make a beautiful couple! So even with a stage 1 breast cancer, per NCCN guidelines, radiation is indicated. That being said, you could seek a second opinion at a Comprehensive Breast Center, where a breast radiation oncologist can offer recommendations for radiation that may not be so 'long and typical'. Radiation therapy usually starts 4 to 6 weeks after lumpectomy, so your breast may heal. Women generally have outpatient radiation treatments 5 days a week for about 6 weeks. However, some researchers are testing different approaches to radiation for certain women with smaller tumors who have a lumpectomy. These newer approaches are called partial breast irradiation. Partial breast irradiation uses balloons, catheters, implanted seeds, or external beam radiation to treat just the area around the tumor, rather than the entire breast. The benefit of seeking treatment at a Comprehensive Breast Center is that these types of radiation would be available. There are some instances when radiation may not be indicated, such as a breast previously radiated, and woman > 70+ years of age. Best wishes! | ||
Please note: This service is not intended to provide primary medical advice concerning specific medical care or treatment. Ask an Expert is a free service operated by health care professionals at the Johns Hopkins Avon Foundation Breast Center. Due to the volume of questions and their complexity, there are times when medical oncologists, surgeons, radiation oncologists or oncology nurses are consulted for their input. These individuals volunteer their time for this service and will respond as soon as they are able. Please do not post or send the same question to us in multiple locations or categories.