I need some help re: MammoSite

[noiretextatique]

I was referred to a radiologist by my surgeon on Dec 13th. He wants to do the MammoSite on me, and they want to insert the catheter on Friday. But, I haven't seen a medical oncologist yet, and the one I chose is out until next week. All the doctors' offices were closed over the holidays, so I have two days to try to figure out if I should proceed with this. Another thing...the MammoSite procedure is fairly new, and clinical trials are still being done on it. The data I saw was for only five years.

Is it normal to be referred to a radiologist before seeing an oncologist? Another thing...I didn't actually see the radiologist, I saw a regular doctor who is on staff at his office. He did some measurements on me to make sure I qualify, and he told me something about beam radiation that I later learned wasn't exactly true. It all felt more like a sales pitch than a medical consultation....and the doctor was creepy.

This all seems to weird, rushed, and disjointed to me, however MammoSite only takes 5 days so it is an attractive option. I'm trying to get a second opinion tomorrow.

Is this weird or not?

Thanks!

[mwdem]

1. It does sound a little weird.

My mother in law had it done in Oct., and had no problems with it. She's now on Arimidex for the next 5 years. She's 80 years old. Getting a second opinion is right. If you're not comfortable with your dr., by all means change, if possible. Good luck with this.:hug:

[noiretextatique]

2. thanks...i've decided to wait for a second opinion

and to see a medical oncologist first, and get another second opinion. MammoSite has to be done by 10 weeks after surgery, and i'm around 5 weeks. i don't understand why they are rushing.

[noiretextatique]

3. i got the second opinion on MammoSite

and i've found a great radiologist. she talked to me for an hour about all my options, and she flat out told me that she would not even consider MammoSite an option for me. she said my tumor cavity is too large and too close to the chest wall. the size of the cavity would likely make my breast very hard, and it's closeness to the chest wall would give my heart more exposure to radiation than beam radiation. this is exactly the opposite of what the first radiologist told me...and he only spoke to me for a few minutes...all about the glories of MammoSite.

she said she doesn't recommend MammoSite very much because it is only suitable for women with very small tumors. she also said that MammoSite is a big moneymaker for surgeons and radiologists who use it. she said the company marketed this procedure to surgeons because most radiologists aren't interested in it because it has not been through enough clinical trials. through my own research, i also know that the company marketed MammoSite via women's magazines.

today i will call my surgeon and the other radiologist and tell them HELL NO to MammoSite. i will also file a complaint with the hospital about the first radiologist because he flat out lied to me about beam radiation while trying to sell MammoSite. i think what he did was tantamount to malpractice; luckily, i am not the trusting type.

i've opted for Canadian external beam radiation because i have ultra sensitive skin, and it is less harsh on the skin than the USA standard.

the oncotype dx test has been ordered, and hopefully it will indicate that chemo will not benefit me, then i can start radiation. if i need chemo, i will do it, but i am seriously claiming that i won't.