What Are Radiation Therapy Boosts for Breast Cancer Treatment?

[@mctaylor8465]

Thank you, though I had 6 + weeks of radiation plus the Boost, I wish when the care plan was discussed i understood the reason for doing it. The discussion of the whole treatment plan for chemo and radiation was a blur and i kept agreeing with what was being recommended. .By the 3rd step..hormonal therapy i was in a better place to understand the need and asked ?'s..please if you are going thru this treatment, please ask questions and have a family member and friend with you..unfortunately i didn't ..thank you again Dr. Griggs for your valuable videos.

[@yerbba]

Thank you for taking the time to comment. The volume and manner of information at the time of diagnosis can make people feel like everything is a blur. It can indeed help to have someone along with you. Even then, a lot of information goes over people's heads. Our hope is that we can fill in some of the gaps.

[@janb.9046]

I wasn't even told about a boost. Thank you!

[@yerbba]

Thanks for watching! We are glad you found this video helpful.

[@bertinapatelli6126]

Thank you for taking time out of your schedule to take your time and explain this w such clarity ❤

[@yerbba]

You're very welcome! Providing clear explanations is our priority, and we're here to support you. Thank you for watching.

[@TinaGee-ds1me]

I had 2 lumpectomy's , 3 weeks of radiation and about to start my last 5 days of boost radiation this week. Thanks for the info.!

[@yerbba]

Thanks so much for watching. We are sure you're looking forward to being done!

[@freddybohorquez1259]

@@yerbba how are you doing today?

[@jeangresty3831]

Thank you for this information. I'm going in for my Radiation simulation today and will be sure to ask the Radiation Team about the "boost" that may be included in the scheduled therapy.

[@yerbba]

We hope your radiation appointment went well, and that discussing radiation therapy boosts with your team helped clarify your treatment details. Thank you for watching!

[@jeangresty3831]

@@yerbba My plan is Hypofractionated Radiation at 42 Gy for 16 sessions. I had DCIS Stage 0 - caught by microcalcifications presented in my annual mammogram. I am 70 years old with a heavy family history of Breast and Prostate cancer. No boost was necessary as DCIS was surgically removed with wide, clear margins. Thank you for your reply!

[@Emmy-J]

I am currently going through radiation. My doctor wanted 30 for me with the last 7 a boost. My insurance rejected it and said it was more than I needed, They approved only 16 with added 5 boost. My tumor was .07 cm with no spread, clear lymph modes. 🤷‍♀I would prefer just the 4. I am also 66 so maybe that's a factor

[@yerbba]

Thanks for writing and sharing your experience. Everyone's care is individualized, so it's hard to comment on your case in particular.

[@afsunole]

My insurance did the same. Denied 26 whole breast and only approved 16. Denied accuboost but RO said I am getting a different kind of boost. 5 of those.

[@naththomas9946]

Very educational and helpful, thank you.

[@yerbba]

Thank you for your positive feedback!

[@anndavis1668]

Thank you for your reply. I much appreciate it.

[@trishhipolito2862]

Very helpful. Thank you.

[@yerbba]

Thank you for watching and your comment. Yerbba appreciates you!

[@princeahmed5795]

Thank you for the information.

[@yerbba]

Thank you for watching.

[@Katsem]

I recently had a three week course of radiation treatment. The boost was given at the same time as the breast and armpit. A mold was made for my breast specifically, and was taped over my scar and surrounding area before the treatment began each time and I received the boost there. That area was definitely much redder and took longer to heal than the rest of the breast. Since you didn’t mention this method, I wonder how common it is to do the boost simultaneously.

[@yerbba]

This is not the typical treatment pattern for getting a radiation therapy boost. We'd be interested to hear if others reading this comment have had the same experience. Hope you're doing well.

[@Fedex8016]

​@@yerbbaMy relative also received an "integrated" boost of 3000 cGy in axillar levels II and III. The treatment in total was five sessions (cGy 2600 each) and the boosts were given in the same session. I am not sure if there were also five boosts of less than five (the radiation oncologist wouldn’t say). What are your thoughts on this five-session course vs the 3- or 6- week one? Do you think they are as effective?. Also, my relative had negative margins but two of them were

[@Fedex8016]

@yerbba Thank you so much for all your help Jeniffer! I have watched many of your videos and I think that I know already! :)

[@lanacampbell-moore6686]

Thank you💗

[@yerbba]

You’re welcome, thank you for watching and your comment. Yerbba appreciates you!

[@LifewithAnindita]

What is the days gap required between boost vs normal radiation,cause patient has side-effects after taking 15 radiation...... already 1 week has delayed,so want to know how many days patient can take boost dose .. please tell

[@yerbba]

The boost is generally not given until the skin has healed substantially.

[@bobbipetty7411]

I'm doing this right now, have two left.

[@yerbba]

Wishing you strength and resilience as you complete the remaining sessions. Thank you for watching.

[@anndavis1668]

I had 22mm lump removed. Lymph node negative. Oestrogen positive. I had 5 fractions radiotherapy, but contracted pneumonia and couldn't complete the remaining 10 fractions. I am concerned about this. Would having boost treatments be beneficial for me. Thank you.

[@yerbba]

In someone with radiation-induced pneumonitis, the risks of radiation therapy may outweigh the benefits.

[@jasimpson228]

Hi, is a 3d non coplanar same as 3d conformal boost technique

[@yerbba]

They do sound similar but in fact are different. The key difference between 3D non-coplanar radiotherapy and 3D conformal boost technique lies in the arrangement of the radiation beams used to deliver the dose.

[@daina-lynn]

This was helpful information, thank you. I received amost 7 weeks of breast radiation therapy, with the last 5 treatments in the form of a boost. However, my radiation oncologist didn't bother to bring this to my attention nor explain why the exra week (boost) was advised 😑

[@yerbba]

So happy it was helpful.

[@johnpayne-t4n]

How about prone position for radiation for breast ca

[@yerbba]

Great question. There were some small studies of radiation therapy in the prone position about 20 years ago. While the lung may be easier to avoid, current planning with CT scans helps avoid most of the lung tissue in the supine position, and comfort is much greater for the patient. So many people are unable to lie prone without moving or without pain.

[@Nigmuha]

Dear Doctor! I have a silicone implant after my nipple sparing mastectomy. Shall I get a radiation therapy? But I read that it's harmful for an implant. Please kindly tell me what shall I do. Thank you.

[@yerbba]

Decisions about radiation therapy are based on a number of factors. We generally do avoid radiation therapy in people with implants because radiation can lead to contraction of the capsule in which the implant sits. A number of my patients have had their implants removed when radiation therapy is recommended with replacement after that.

[@do9138]

Do boosts make you sicker? Do they make you sick longer? How much more do they cost?

[@yerbba]

Because the boost is given to a much smaller area, it does not generally cause more systemic side effects (such as the fatigue), but the skin that is "boosted" will be redder a bit longer. Costs should be covered by your insurance if you have insurance.

[@sandrakimungui3944]

Me am scared to do chemotherapy please help me

[@traciboylston2242]

I was frightened also. It will be ok. You will be ok.

[@shaiknasira8817]

Even me too I was too scared for chemotherapy but now radiation is left too much scared about side effects.

[@stchannel2476]

I did chemo and I was ok. You will get thru it. Good luck.

[@yerbba]

Thanks for reaching out. Chemotherapy can sound so scary. We understand. Most people do just fine, and the impact on survival in many people warrants going forward. Just stay in close touch with your medical team to let them know of any side effects. It would also be a great idea to let them know what you are afraid of in particular. Ask also what the benefit will be. If it's a small chance of benefit, your preference not to get chemotherapy should be taken into account. The best medical decisions are based on high quality information support and incorporate your preferences.

[@annepeltier316]

Is it normal to have brown nipple discharge after radiation? If so, when will it go away?

[@yerbba]

While not common, it's also not unheard of. Because other things can cause this symptom, it is worth bringing this up with your medical team.

[@zulmadelacruz1353]

can you get radiation on the same breast that you already had radiation once before for cacer recurrence

[@yerbba]

Radiation to the same area is generally limited due to the risk of side effects, but there are cases where it might be considered. The further people are out from their first radiation therapy, the more likely they are to be able to receive radiation therapy again.

[@vw3495]

Yebba how can u get rid of breast cellulitus

[@yerbba]

In someone with cellulitis, antibiotics are required in the vast majority of cases. If there is no infection and just redness, other treatments are preferred. We use antibiotics only when we are very certain of infection. Wishing you the best.

[@melanieproctor3931]

I had both breasts removed I now feel my chest get tight is that normal

[@yerbba]

It is not uncommon to have a sense of tightness after surgery, but it would be prudent to discuss your sensations with your medical team.