radiation therapy

karen2009

5/2009 - I was diagnosed with Stage 1 invasive ductal carcinoma in the left breast @ 2 cm; grade 2; lymph node negative; ER/PR+; HER2 -.  I have opted to do radiation and hormone treatment.  My Oncotype test fell into the low risk catagory.  I do have Sjogren's syndrome.  Anyone else who had a simuliar diagnosis and who has sjogren's?  Or is there anyone who has had radiation teatment and can tell me the long term effects for someone who has a connective tissue disorder such as Sjogren's?  Karen 2009

TenderIsOurMight

Hi Karen.

I did have external beam radiation for node+breast cancer. I did develop a permanent fibrotic cord in the diseased axillary and have had two surgeries for that to release the pain causing pressure and increase my arm/shoulder range. But my situation is unusual.

I am sorry you have recently been diagnosed with breast cancer. It's painful to hear and go through. You've come to an excellent bc information site, and i encourage you to look around on the home site for your question and probable addressing of radiation and collagen vascular disease (CVD).

Does your Sjogren's predominantly involve the eyes and mouth? Is there any other family member with CVD or who had radiation and problems with fibrosis? They would certainly be good to talk to, just in case other family members have differing CVD's. 

The literature on CVD and radiation, as I read it and learned it, reflects a heightened concern that radiation may cause fibrosis in individuals with CVD. One review suggested that most reports were not well documented and therefore no definitive association can be made. But there is concern. 

The one article I saw pertaining to external beam radiation and breast cancer and a bad reaction in a CVD patient did not have an abstract. Perhaps your oncologist might track it down or even you if you go to a local medical library. It may help to read the article and see how your situation differs or is similar.

Am J Clin Oncol. 2006 Dec;29(6):647-8.Tufts-New England Medical Center, Boston, MA 01810

 Severe acute toxicity from whole breast radiotherapy in the setting of collagen vascular disease.

Again it appears that while there is heightened concern of radiation in a CVD patient over a non-CVD patient, there is no clear constant association.I do believe there are clinical trials looking at fibrosis and radiation and CVD. You could look them over by going to clinicaltrials.gov. The radiation oncology experts are trying to find ways to prevent any post radiation fibrosis (or scarring) and new information has been encouraging. So you may wish to take a look around there.I wish you well with your treatments, and hope you'll let us know more. Soon someone should come by with a more personal answer to your question.My best to you,Tender