I am the weird one…(radiation criteria)
So I fit in the middle of all of this 3 positive node, a mass at 5×3 cm and a 1cm invasive area on my chest muscle..peachy.
He gave me this sheet that says basically the following: - 4 positive nodes: radiation therapy to chest wall and supraclavicular area. Consider radiation to internal mammary nodes
- 1-3 positive nodes: Strongly consider poschemotherapy radiation to chess wall and supraclavicular area.Consider internal mammary nodes radiation.
- Negative nodes with tumor larger than 5 cm and margins positive: postchemotherapy radiation to chest wall
- Negative nodes with tumor equal or smaller than 5cm and close margins less than 1 mm: Consider radiation therapy to chest wall +/- supraclavicular nodes. Consider radiation therapy to internal mammary nodes
- Negative nodes and tumor smaller than 5cm and margins larger than 1mm: no radiation therapy needed
What I find bizarre is if the margins are smaller than 1mm, they suggest radiation and if the margins are larger than 1 mm: no radiation.. I would have thought the opposite would apply…..
Please learn more about your health care! Education is key!