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!
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Questions to ask to ensure you are in good hands Questions on what to ask to make sure your in good hands. |
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| 3/17/2012 | I was diagnosed with IDC, grade 3 in late January of this year. Two weeks ago I had a lumpectomy - the tumor was less than 3 cm - no cancer was found in two sentinal nodes. Last week, I had a catheter inserted and underwent 3 rounds of mammosite radiation, which my doctor (surgeon) ordered as a 'boost'. 4 rounds were initially ordered, but due to a bad reaction to latex, the catheter was removed after the third. I'm concerned that my doctor recommended the mammosite treatment knowing of my latex allergy, but not advising me that the catheter contained latex. Is the mammosite procedure so effective that this was warranted? | ||
| Replied | JHU's Breast Center Reply | ||
| 3/17/2012 | Thank you for turning to the Johns Hopkins Breast Center. Patient allergy is always one of the first questions any pt will be asked, by any health care professional taking take of you. In turn, this allergy is noted on the paper chart, the electronic record, and should be asked everytime new drug or tx begun. The 'benefit' of the mammosite does not outweigh risk of allergy. As far as mammosite, also known as accelerated partial breast radiation (APBR) has been traditionally administered on clinical study, but more instititions are administering APBR off study to a select group of patients (60 years and older, not BrCa carriers, early stage, node negative, margins clear). The longitudinal (long range) results/data still to be determined. We do not administer APBR here off study @ JH. Consider a second opinion. Hope this helps and best wishes! | ||
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