Breast Cancer/radiation or not

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Expert: - 11/27/2007


Question
I have Lobular carcenoma.  My tumor was 5.3 mm.  I had a masectomy on my
right breast.  I am halfway through my chemotherapy (ACT)
I do not want to get radiation therapy.  I would like your opinion.  I am
terrified of long term side effects..ie. hypothyroidism, muscle and joint aches,
etc...

Thanking You in Advance.
Lisa

Answer
I'm an ex-military dr. so I'm very frank and blunt, sometimes even brutally so! You have much more reason to be afraid of your cancer - a potentially deadly disease - than of those in comparison rather trivial - AND not very common - side effects! So if I were you I would accept the radiation therapy without any hesitation (and I know exactly what it is and what it can do)! But of course the decision is yours! Why was a mastectomy done? With such a small cancer a combination of lumpectomy, radiation therapy & chemo therapy should be enough!  

Breast Cancer

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Claes-Gustaf Nordquist, M.D.

Expertise

I`m a doctor of medicine and a specialist in radiation therapy and medical oncology. I have long experience in diagnostics and treatment of breast tumours.

Experience

I'm a Doctor of Medicine and specialist in Medical Oncology and Radiation Therapy educated & trained in Sweden. Now retired. Background in Radiation Therapy, Medical Oncology, Radiation Protection, Nuclear Medicine, Diagnostic Radiology, Gynecological Oncology, Clinical Pathology, Clinical Cytology,Hematology and Internal Medicine. M.D. from the faculty of medicine, Royal Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden. Have also been an exchange student at the Hebrew University, Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem Israel. Former medical consultant, Swedish National Board of Radiation Protection. Former Police Surgeon and Medical Examiner, Stockholm Police Department. Former Chief Medical Officer, The Royal Guards, The Royal Horse Guards and the Royal Household Brigade, Royal Swedish Army Medical Corps.You can also reach me on: http://www.lifestylerescue.com/expert/health-fitness-advice/dr-claes-gustaf/128 I have no restrictions on the number of questions there.

I also answer questions about Oncology (General Cancer), General History, Military History, Brain Tumors, Colon Cancer

Education/Credentials
I'm a medical doctor and specialist in medical oncology and radiation therapy.

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