Radiation Fibrosis

kdajay

Does anyone have radiation fibrosis? If so, what are you being told about it and how, if any, are you being treated?

Moderators

Hi Kdajay,

You can read about radiation fibrosis (scar tissue formation) on the main Breastcancer.org site's Scar Tissue Formation side effect page, including tips to manage it.

Hope this helps!

--The Mods

kdajay

@moderators Thank you, but I have already looked at that material and, while informative, I was looking for people who have had this reaction and how they were dealing with the result.

I am finding that there is not much information out there and I wonder if the oncologists are ignoring the reaction or if there is just not much information available. Thought I would try to see if others are finding this true also.

Moderators

We completely understand. Best of luck! 

Best, 

The Mods 

lane4

Hi, Kdajay - I'm curious to know what you learn about radiation fibrosis. Are you referring to fibrosis of the breast or the lung? I was very concerned about fibrosis myself and my RO just kind of brushed off my concerns saying it doesn't happen. (My MO calls the firm area of scar tissue in my breast "fibrosis.") I have read about studies done in which people were treated with Vitamin E and pentoxifylline. I'm following to see what you learn. Good luck!

kdajay

Lane4 - the problem is that I can't seem to find much information. Yes, I have found the info about vitamin e and pentoxifylline. There is also a connection between lymphadema and fibrosis that can be helped with massage, but there is another line of thought that massage for cancer patients is not always a good thing.

In my case, I am finding lumps forming in my breast a couple of months after radiation. While my MO says it is fibrosis forming from the edema (or lymphadema) from radiation and does not seemed to be concerned, I find it disconcerting to have "lumps" in the breast where I had cancer. It makes me wonder if the fibrosis is in fact fibrosis or another tumor. When it was just in the tumor bed, it didn't concern me, but now there is another spot. I thought I would see what others are finding and what they are being told. Thanks for your reply.

lane4

I certainly understand your concern about finding lumps in other areas of your breast.  Is it possible for you to have an MRI to check it out? My BS has me on a high risk screening program with annual MRI and mammos six months apart. I'll have to say MRI's are very sensitive and can result in many benign biopsies, but the peace of mind may be worth it. I'm not sure I would be comfortable just being told that a lump is only caused by edema from the radiation (especially when the person saying that does not have x-ray vision).