Re: Breast radiation for prior to hormonal therapy

[Guest guest]

Rich,I had five painless radiation sessions for breast enlargement after four years of HT. (With the benefit of hindsight, wished I'd done it before I started HT) It became more pronounced after estrogen patches.The jury's still out on how it's worked, though I don't see any additional enlargement after four months, and I'm still using estrogen patches.tdr To: ProstateCancerSupport Sent: Thursday, August 25, 2011 8:16 AMSubject: Breast radiation for prior to hormonal therapy

I had a consultation yesterday with a radiation oncologist for adjuvant RT following surgery, who’s also recommending a 6-month neoadjuvant treatment with Lupron/Casodex. One of the side effects of the hormonal treatment is breast enlargement (about 10% of men 50-59 years old and higher for older men). I’m almost 60, so there’s a pretty good chance of that occurring. He suggested a radiation treatment to the breast which is quite safe and effective, it would be done prior to initiating the hormonal therapy. Alternatively, it could be done during the radiation treatment if breast enlargement was observed, but it does not reverse the enlargement at that point, it would just prevent further enlargement. Anyone have any experiences with this procedure? I haven’t found much in the way of the risks associated with this procedure. I’m considering having the radiation done at Dana-Farber in Boston, I’d also be interested in anyone’s experiences there as well as with Dr. D’Amico who I consulated with. --- Rich

[Guest guest]

Rich,I had five painless radiation sessions for breast enlargement after four years of HT. (With the benefit of hindsight, wished I'd done it before I started HT) It became more pronounced after estrogen patches.The jury's still out on how it's worked, though I don't see any additional enlargement after four months, and I'm still using estrogen patches.tdr To: ProstateCancerSupport Sent: Thursday, August 25, 2011 8:16 AMSubject: Breast radiation for prior to hormonal therapy

I had a consultation yesterday with a radiation oncologist for adjuvant RT following surgery, who’s also recommending a 6-month neoadjuvant treatment with Lupron/Casodex. One of the side effects of the hormonal treatment is breast enlargement (about 10% of men 50-59 years old and higher for older men). I’m almost 60, so there’s a pretty good chance of that occurring. He suggested a radiation treatment to the breast which is quite safe and effective, it would be done prior to initiating the hormonal therapy. Alternatively, it could be done during the radiation treatment if breast enlargement was observed, but it does not reverse the enlargement at that point, it would just prevent further enlargement. Anyone have any experiences with this procedure? I haven’t found much in the way of the risks associated with this procedure. I’m considering having the radiation done at Dana-Farber in Boston, I’d also be interested in anyone’s experiences there as well as with Dr. D’Amico who I consulated with. --- Rich

[Guest guest]

I have not had the procedure but I havel talk to a few that have. It is a simple zap to a

small area of each breast. One treatment is enough. My friends were surprised

at how little it took and it was very effective. I have not experienced the

problem (yet) and have not had the procedure done. I have been on Lupron for 2

years, I am 53 years old.

From: ProstateCancerSupport [mailto:ProstateCancerSupport ] On Behalf Of Rich Assarabowski

Sent: Thursday, August 25, 2011

11:17 AM

To: ProstateCancerSupport

Subject:

Breast radiation for prior to hormonal therapy

I had a consultation yesterday with a radiation oncologist for

adjuvant RT following surgery, who’s also recommending a 6-month neoadjuvant

treatment with Lupron/Casodex. One of the side effects of the

hormonal treatment is breast enlargement (about 10% of men 50-59 years old and

higher for older men). I’m almost 60, so there’s a pretty good

chance of that occurring. He suggested a radiation treatment to the

breast which is quite safe and effective, it would be done prior to initiating

the hormonal therapy. Alternatively, it could be done during the

radiation treatment if breast enlargement was observed, but it does not reverse

the enlargement at that point, it would just prevent further enlargement.

Anyone have any experiences with this procedure? I

haven’t found much in the way of the risks associated with this

procedure.

I’m considering having the radiation done at Dana-Farber in Boston, I’d also be

interested in anyone’s experiences there as well as with Dr. D’Amico who I

consulated with.

--- Rich

[Guest guest]

Interesting, Larry. I had a similar short, pain-free experience with breast radiation. Though my doctor prescribed five sessions, one a day for five days.tdrTo: ProstateCancerSupport Sent: Thursday, August 25, 2011 4:07 PMSubject: RE:

Breast radiation for prior to hormonal therapy

I have not had the procedure but I havel talk to a few that have. It is a simple zap to a

small area of each breast. One treatment is enough. My friends were surprised

at how little it took and it was very effective. I have not experienced the

problem (yet) and have not had the procedure done. I have been on Lupron for 2

years, I am 53 years old.

From: ProstateCancerSupport [mailto: ProstateCancerSupport ] On Behalf Of Rich Assarabowski

Sent: Thursday, August 25, 2011

11:17 AM

To: ProstateCancerSupport

Subject:

Breast radiation for prior to hormonal therapy

I had a consultation yesterday with a radiation oncologist for

adjuvant RT following surgery, who’s also recommending a 6-month neoadjuvant

treatment with Lupron/Casodex. One of the side effects of the

hormonal treatment is breast enlargement (about 10% of men 50-59 years old and

higher for older men). I’m almost 60, so there’s a pretty good

chance of that occurring. He suggested a radiation treatment to the

breast which is quite safe and effective, it would be done prior to initiating

the hormonal therapy. Alternatively, it could be done during the

radiation treatment if breast enlargement was observed, but it does not reverse

the enlargement at that point, it would just prevent further enlargement. Anyone have any experiences with this procedure? I

haven’t found much in the way of the risks associated with this

procedure. I’m considering having the radiation done at Dana-Farber in Boston , I’d also be

interested in anyone’s experiences there as well as with Dr. D’Amico who I

consulated with. --- Rich