Anyone have radiation on tumor bed close to the chest wall?

Appyfan

Can anyone share their experience with radiation on a tumor bed close the the chest wall? Mine was right breast, but almost to the center of my chest, and right up against my chest wall. I'm worried about lung damage, and how much of my heart will get hit because of the location. I already have some shortness of breath problems from chemo(I'm only 1 week PFC, so hoping that resolves with time), and am worried about causing more damage with radiation.

I went to the cancer center closest to home/work and had kind of a consult with RO (they don't do scans until mapping, so he couldn't give me specific dose/duration), and was not impressed. RO was nice and didn't mind my peppering him with questions, but approach seemed very cookie cutter. Going to go back to NCI designated center where i had my surgery for a 2nd opinion.

Denise-G

Appyfan - great idea to get a second opinion at your NCI designated cancer center! So glad you are doing it!

All my best!

Cpeachymom

Appyfan- you have legitimate concerns. I had right side rads after mx, and unfortunately, I did end up with some lung damage from it. I wasn’t even told my lung was in the radiation field until halfway through. You’re ahead of the game to ask! It took months of high dose steroids (which is a nightmare) but I am mostly fine now. Just some scarring which isn’t causing trouble. Good luck!

carmstr835

I too, have lung damage from right side radiation. I have radiation caused inflammation and fibrosis. No real symptoms but i am being followed by a pulmonary specialist every 6 months. I also was left with 2 lung lesions that eventually disappeared but it took almost a year and 4 CT scans.

My radiation was tomography. It was my sternum, clavicle, chest wall, and under arm. 30 fractions and a bolus to the mastectomy scar. Took from Sept 11- Oct 24, 2017 daily. about 7 weeks because there were several breakdowns on the machine on a friday and Monday.

Beaverntx

Appyfab, I had radiation to right breast for a tumor that was near the chest wall, essentially behind the nipple. Completed radiation mid April this year and to date have no indication of lung problems beyond my usual allergies.

I agree a second opinion is a good idea, especially since you were not entirely pleased/comfortable with your initial contact.

Best wishes as you continue on this journey and please keep us posted.

GreenHarbor

Appyfab, I just finished 13 of 20 treatments for a small tumor on my left side near (but not attachd to) my chest wall. My tumor is at the 12 o’clock position. I am receiving my treatments face down. Gravity pulls my breast down, making it easier to avoid my heart and lung. They attach a ramp to the table part of the machine. There’s a hole for my breast to dangle down through, and a face rest like on a massage table. It’s awkward to climb on and off, but totally doable. My RO said not every place offers it. I am a little concerned about heart or lung issues down the road, but I’m way more concerned about getting rid of every last cancer cell. Good luck with whatever you decide!

beauz

Hi appyfan, my tumor was between 9and 10 o'clock postion, close to the edge of right breast and was firmly attached to chest wall muscle. I had 25 radiation sessions on whole breast and collar bone area, 8 boosters on tumor cavity. I raised concerns about my lung and oesophagus at my first meeting with RO. She didn't respond much or I don't remember much of what she said, surely she was very vague. I am doing okay now, only notice dry mouth, especially at night, after finishing rads treatment. RO said my salivary glands were not in the field but could be in the scattering field. It's slowly improving.

Second opinion is a good idea. Due to the position of your tumor, I would also raise concerns about the impact on oesophagus and stomach as well. From what I read here, some members got stomach and swallowing problems from rads treatment.

moth

My tumor was in my left breast and it was against the chest wall. I had <2mm margin on that side so I had 16 whole breast & 4 boosts to the tumor bed. I did the inhalation and hold technique to protect the heart and lung. I finished on Sep 11 and I don't feel I have any se's now but honestly, I guess they could crop up later. At the end of the day, you have to be comfortable with the treatment plan and the risks. I worried more about cancer than heart & lung probs so I didn't hesitate to do the rads and hope for the best.

good luck with your 2nd opinion and devising a treatment plan you're happy with! For me rads were a breeze compared to chemo.

MiCyn

Applyfan ..Good that you are getting second opinion. I was supposed to start rads next Monday. Got a call this AM that they need to do yet another CT scan ( my 4th one ). I will have to do DIBH. My heart is in the radiation field I was told. This def concerns me. I wish that I had looked into proton therapy way back when I was originally dx, or considered mastectomy instead of lumpectomy.

Appyfan

Ladies,

Thank you all so much. Your responses have given me so much insight and more questions to ask on my next RO consult.

Beauz-thanks, I had not thought of the areas and problems you mentioned.

Greenharbor-I will also ask about prone. Can I ask what cancer center you got your treatment at? Please PM if you feel comfortable doing that. Sometimes I’ve found that health care people are more receptive to new/different ideas when I mention that something is offered at “X” center. The RO I spoke first with said they didn’t even offer partial breast radiation.

Cpeachymom and carmstr835, I’m so sorry to hear you had lasting effects. Thank you so much for sharing, though, it helps me so much.

MiCyn-I hear ya. I wish I knew what I know now at the start of this journey. I would have considered a full mast more seriously. I had a pre-cancerous lesson removed from my right breast in 2015,so I asked the surgeon if it made more sense to do a MX because that breast was on strike 2. She said there was an equal or better statistical rate of survival with lumpectomy w/rads vs.mx, so I didn’t question it further. Didn’t think at the time about rads side effects. I would love to look into proton therapy, but I’m pretty sure my insurance wouldn’t cover it at this stage.

JosieO

My tumor was on the left, both behind the nipple and close to the chest wall, with my “deep” margin being much closer than the others. I had an outstanding radiation oncologist, who had extensive conversation with the surgeon, tested with both breath holding and without, then developed a very detailed treatment program of 28 whole breast and 5 boost treatments. Because of lymph node involvement, I took my treatments lying on my back. My axilla and collarbone were also radiated.

For me, I felt very good and had no side effects. I give full credit to my radiation oncologist and his highly detailed and intelligent approach.

Echo the comments to get a second opinion. You have to be confident in your program.

Best wishes to you

buttonsmachine

Hey Appyfan, it's good you're getting a second opinion. I had rads twice - whole breast radiation after my initial diagnosis, and then chest wall radiation after my recurrence.

The second course of radiation was a lot, but in my case we were being aggressive because I had skin metastasis. I actually had a pink square on my back because of the radiation "exit burn." The radiation field included my chest wall, clavicle lymph nodes, internal mammary lymph nodes, and part of my left (unaffected) breast too. They were able to avoid my heart completely.

All in all, radiation was not bad for me. The radiation definitely hit my lung the second time, but I have no bad effects from it so far. Your RO may be able to spare much or all of your lung - it's certainly worth asking.

Hope you get some good answers and find a solution you're comfortable with!