CancerCompass message board discussion started by Cajun on 1/28/2008 http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,20401,0.htm Fri, 29 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT Fri, 29 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://backend.userland.com/rss RSS.NET: http://www.rssdotnet.com/ My DCIS "in-situ" Stage 0 was contained in the milk duct and all milk ducts were removed so there are no more abnormal cells in that part of my breasts.  I had a similar problem witht the other breasts 4 years ago but no abnormal cells were found.  Since I do not have milk ducts in either breasts I can not have a recurrence of DCIS, but like every woman there is no guarantee that something could be detected at the next mammogram or MRI in other parts of my breasts.The MRI showed nothing after the milk ducts were removed which means there may be something too small to see or there is nothing to see at all.  The doctor still suggest that I have radiation on the affected breast.I am very hesitate to have radiaiton (since it can only be done once on that area of my body) to kill something that may or may not be there!  That sent up a red flag to me!My doctor said that with radiation I have a 65% of no recurrence within 5-8 years.  It takes the average cell 8-10 years to turn into a cluster of bad cells that can be seen on a mammogram or MRI as possbile cancer.  Since radiation will kill all the current bad cells whether seen or not I can understand that nothing will be seen on the mammogram or MRI within 5-8 years. My concern is that radiation also kills good cells and when the body is growing new cells, do these cells have a greater chance of forming clusters that will become bad cells in 8-10 years.I would like to hear from other who did not have a mastectomy but chose to have radiation, especially those who made this choice over 10 years ago.  Has breast cancer recurred?  What about the effect of radiation on your other internal organs?  Are you having any medical problems related to radiation?Thanks for your reply. Cajun Mon, 28 Jan 2008 00:00:00 GMT I had DCIS also, back in 2003.  I had a masectomy and because I was having reconstructive surgery, I also had the other breast removed.  I never had to have chemo or radiation....at that time.Fast forward to 2008, and the breast cancer recurred but in a different spot.  It was in the breast tissue (even though I had no breast) and in one lymph node.  My surgeon removed the cancer and ALL of my lymph nodes.My treatment plan was to have 4 chemo treatments, 3 weeks apart (taxotere and cytoxin) and after that was over, 28 treatments of radiation.  For me (but not many people), the radiation has been more difficult than the chemo.  My radiologist gave me a prescription gel called Radioplex which I put on after treatment and again at night before I go to bed.  I am on my third week of radiation and my skin is blistered and itchy in the radiated area.Hope that helps.  You have to do what's right for you.  Although treatment is uncomfortable, it's worth it to have life. Srfrgrl Thu, 28 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT