Radiation

By Ms M Friday, March 20, 2009

- A
- A
- A

How long after lumpectomy does radiation typically begin? I keep forgetting to call the docs and ask!

Comments (4) | Add comment

PJ Hamel, Health Guide

3/20/09 8:41pm

Hi - In general, depends on what else you're having done. If you're having chemo, that would probably come first. If it's lumpectomy and then radiation, no chemo, it depends on their schedule - sometimes you have to wait your turn. Probably at least a week or so, for your incision to heal. Don't worry if it takes awhile - I didn't have radiation till 6 months after my mastectomy... I had chemo in between. Good luck - PJH

Phyllis Johnson, Health Guide

3/21/09 7:47am

The doctor will want to be sure the scar has healed pretty well before starting radiation. Three weeks would not be an unreasonable time to wait, depending on how fast you heal, how large the incision is, and so forth. Like PJ, I had chemo between surgery and radiation, but it was three weeks after surgery before my doctor thought the scar was healed enough for chemo. I assume it would be a similar wait before radiation.

Pat

3/23/09 10:27pm

First, YOU shouldn't have to call your doctor to find out when you will take radiation. They should call you. Don't you have an oncologist? A radiation oncologist? You should have an oncologist and they set it up for you, or, they should. And, I didn't start radiation for about 6 weeks. They want to make sure that your incision from the lumpectomy is healed first. I had no chemo..thank goodness. I am taking 37 treatments of radiation. 25 to the whole area and then 12 boosters to the tumor area. How long has it been since your lumpectomy? Good luck to you when you do have radiation! You will be fine!

Ms M

4/ 4/09 7:26am

Hi Pat,

Thanks for your response.

I actually asked before my lumpectomy, just covering bases...had lumpectomy just on Monday, they also took two lymph nodes. Doc called last night, great news the lymph nodes were clear! I wasn't expecting his call so the eighty five questions I have will have to wait till follow up early next week.

So far so good with my cancer experience, recieving great treatment, very responsive doctors, nurses and breast health center staff, plus everyone is so nice to you when you get BC! I know I am one of the lucky ones, it was caught very early, very small (.8 cm) and I live in an area that in which the disease is so prevalent there are many resources in place and easily available.

Radiation

Ask a Question