Only 10 rounds of radiation for tnbc? Is this right, it doesn’t seem much.

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Hi all

I have just been advised that I will only have 10 sessions of radiation over two weeks following my lumpectomy last month. Whilst a part of me thinks this is much better than the 4/5 weeks I expected, it also worries me. A lot of the stories I read others seem to have had 25 rounds of it and now I’m concerned that I will only get 10. I understand that it is all based on the fast forward trial back in 2011-14 but it only came in to practice because of Covid. I understand that it’s also a much lower dose given now (27gy instead of 40gy). It just concerns me as obviously tnbc is very aggressive and high grade and I wonder how many participants had tnbc on the trial as we are generally in the minority. Am I over thinking this!? Did anyone else feel this way or should I just be happy lol. Thank you x 

  • Hi I also had TNBC, had lumpectomy 4 July then 9 radiotherapy sessions, 5 whole breast, then 4 targeted at tumour site ( I also went straight for lumpectomy, refused chemo) 

    Think plans can vary depending on lymph node involvement and personal choice 

  • I only had 5 days and thought that was now the standard for whole breast radiation, regardless of cancer type (I also have TNBC). I think the results of fast forward coincided with Covid and would have been brought into effect anyway. Your second set of 5 are likely a tumour bed boost. My radiotherapy consultant doesn’t normally do a tumour bed boost.