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Radiotherapy

Jebba
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I have had lumpectomy with mammoplasty for stage2grade 2  breast cancer. I start radiotherapy soon to the breast and axillary nodes as one was positive. Can you please explain why they have decided to irradiate the supraclavicular nodes too? Is this common or is the problem more serious than I thought? I am currently having a break from letrozole due to having hypothyroidism converting to hyperthyroidism a nd confusing everyone with symptoms which could be caused by either of the drugs I was taking. 

Thank you

  • Good morning Jebba,

    Thank you for getting in touch and welcome to our online community, I hope you find it supportive. My name is Helen and I am one of the Cancer Information Nurse Specialists on the Macmillan Support Line.

    I hope you are recovering well following your lumpectomy and mammoplasty for stage 2 breast cancer. I am sorry to read you’ve needed to have a break from the letrozole due to confusing symptoms which could be caused by either of the drugs you were taking.

    It’s understandable too you may be worried about the lymph node field of radiation and feel the problem is more serious than you thought. I hope I can reassure you this may not be the case.

    Through this platform we are able to offer general cancer information and support as we haven’t access to people’s medical records. The best people to explain the reasoning behind the decision to irradiate the supraclavicular nodes are your breast consultant and clinical nurse specialist.

    However, I can provide you with information which may help prepare some questions to go back to your clinical team with.  

    The main aim of radiotherapy following surgery is to reduce the risk of the cancer coming back in the future. Key results from a Lancet study published in November 2023, found that regional node radiotherapy reduced both recurrence rates and deaths from breast cancer by about one eighth.

    I feel it would be beneficial for you to ask your consultant and clinical nurse specialist about your individual results and whether the outcomes of these findings are influential in the decision making for the field of radiotherapy they have recommended for you.

    You may find it helpful to talk things through with one of our nurses. Sometimes this can be a supportive opportunity to ask us questions and have a listening ear at the end of the line. It also helps us gain a better understanding of your current circumstances and there may be other avenues of support we can offer you.

     

    I hope this information is helpful but if you have any more questions please don’t hesitate to get back in touch.

    Best wishes,

     

    Helen, Cancer Information Nurse Specialist 

     

    You can also speak with the Macmillan Support Line team of experts. Phone free on 0808 808 0000 (7 days a week, 8am-8pm) or email us. 

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