Radiotherapy Planning Session Questions

2 minute read time.

FormerMember

3 Oct 2009

When I had my first discussion about Radiotherapy I was told that at my hospital there are two schools of thought on the impact of different time cycles. One Doc likes to use a shorter cycle whilst the other prefers a longer cycle. I had gone in thinking that a longer cycle could be gentler on the body but was unsure of whether in fact it just means that it takes longer to do the same amount of good and damage. When questioning the oncologist he told me that 2 large international studies had shown that the detrimental side effects of the treatment were no worse for the higher dose / shorter period. This information helped me to decide to opt for the shorter cycle.

I was delighted when I was told that my Radiotherapy registrar said I could be done over 4 weeks instead of 8. Apart from this reducing the daily visits to the hospital it also meant that I'd be feeling good by Christmas.

Yesterday I had my planning session and the same registrar suggested that I rethink and go for a slightly longer period of 6 weeks instead of 4. He said that because I have large breasts, to extend the treatment would minimise the risk of skin irritation. Obviously I challenged him on this based on our previous conversation. He then revealed that I had been allocated to the Dr who prefers the longer cycle.

By the time I left I had opted for the longer cycle on the basis that it is easier to cancell appointments than to make them but I was hoping that I would get some advice from people who have gone through this.

I asked if there was any way to predict whether or not you were likely to suffer with the skin irritation and he said if you tend to burn in the sun then you are more likely to have a problem. Well.... despite being dark haired (when I have hair - lol!) I have freckley fair skin and burn quite quickly.

I'm going to look for the research that I was told about but I'm also hoping your replies might give me information will help me decide to eaither keep the appointments that have been made or cancel a few in favour of the shorter period.

So.... can anyone tell me - what kind of skin you have (from a tanning perspective) and how did your skin react with the radiotherapy treatment and what period did you have your treatment over?

Thanks,

Noj x

KateG over 15 years ago

Hi Noj,

I am fair-skinned, burn easily and had my radiotherapy over six weeks. The remainder of my breast (I had a WLE and axillary clearance) went pink very quickly despite me slapping on loads of aqueous cream. The skin didn't break down (and that was in the fold under the breast) until after treatment had finished. This is because you continue to 'cook' after treatment. It took a while to heal but recovered after about two months. Not everyone will react in the same way so don't assume the same will happen to you.

Good luck,

KateG
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sue G over 15 years ago

Hi Noj

I had 13 sessions over 5 weeks. Have a medium toned skin. Skin stood up to treatment quite well with lots of cream applied which you will be given.

Only painful the last couple of sessions and for a few weeks after last one. Looked like very bad sunburn under my arm but skin did not break although I know this happens to some.

Best of Luck

Sue x x x
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FormerMember over 15 years ago

I didn't have a choice, my RT was to the head and it has to be less over a longer period of time to allow the brain to recover as much as possible.

Whatever happens, do cream up and I hope you get through it easily.

Good luck

Debs xx
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FormerMember over 15 years ago

Hiya

I have dark hair, fairish skin but tan quite easily. I have 15 doses over three weeks, during the first week my skin went a little pink and my chest felt a little swollen, the nerves in my arm seems slightly more sensitive and the radiographer said it was because it just aggaravates the area again.

I did put E45 on, slapped it on each night but thats all, washed with baby soap, no deorodant, anti-perspirant or perfume on that part of my chest.

A week after I finished I developed two little areas under my arm which were quite sore, one in a fold by the scar and the other at the top part of my armpit again near a fold. I just kept plastering the cream on and 3 weeks post RT its fine, so I didn't need steriod cream.

My clinical oncologist when she di my follow up which was halfway through the second week, said my skin was red - but it hadn't broken down. She also said my RT was difficult to plan. Apparently your size, width, the dip in your chest etc all affect how the RT goes into the body. I also had a bag placed over the area being radiated every other day to help the RT hit the right place.

The skin on my chest is fine, under my arm its fine - just looks like an elephants - but that will improve and my arm feels better.

Hope it goes well.

Carol xx
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FormerMember over 15 years ago

I had 25 sessions over 5 weeks, and I burned quite badly despite being olive skinned. The burn eventually stopped growing when it reach an area of about 10 inches x 6 inches. It took 6 weeks to heal, and required special dressings each day. It has left a considerable scar, and the skin there is now very thin and delicate. I dont think they can easily predict who will have problems and who wont. I was also one of the unlucky ones who developed Lymphoedema and Cellulitis as a result of RT, and the symptoms of this began in the second week of treatment, and became so severe I was hospitalised for the remainder as I got quite ill because of the Cellulitis.

I think my experience is rare, but it is as well to be aware too.
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