Long term effects of radiation

Abbidoodle

Hi everyone. I finished 20 rounds of radiation in December, 2019. At that time I experienced very little side effects. About 9 months after that, the skin under my arm and breast became extremely painful and wrinkled. By October of last year I started getting sores in both places and have not had any of these wounds heal. As of today, I have most of that breast and underarm covered in open and excruciating wounds that discharge a yellowish/greenish color. I've been to numerous doctors who tell me they're just in a hard place to heal and have repeatedly sent me to a wound clinic. The treatment I am currently on is Vaseline with Adaptic gauze then covered with abdominal pads. The wound clinic told me that some places looks like the skin is dying. Because of all of this I've had to start taking pain meds. I have an appointment with a surgeon on the 25th. Has anyone else experienced anything like this? I'm hoping the surgeon can come up with a plan, even if it includes a mastectomy. Any insight in to this problem will be appreciated.

jhl

Hi Abbi,

I'm so sorry you are experiencing this. By any chance, have they taken cultures? If there is necrotic tissue, the wound should be debrided either surgically or enzymatically. There is no convincing evidence for use of topical antibacterial creams unless a specific organism has been cultured. I think the speculation as to the cause of these late presenting post radiation wounds is that radiation has damaged the microvascular circulation. I think a surgeon & perhaps even a plastic surgeon consult will help you with your next steps.

Best of luck,

Jane

Abbidoodle

Thank you Jane for your response. I've used several antibiotic creams which did nothing and no cultures have been done. I'm holding onto the hope that the surgeon can help me with this on Tuesday. Again, I appreciate your comments.

buttonsmachine

Abbidoodle, did you talk with your RO about this? Also, you may want to ask about a biopsy to rule out skin metastasis of your breast cancer. I hope you find some answers soon, that sounds really hard.

MarciaM

Hello Dearest;

What I found out is that I had late affect of radiation on my arm , chest back and underarm . It presents as a psoriasis complication . you need an infectious disease specialist who can administer oxygen therapy in an O2 Chamber . I went Thru that in 2013 : it will heal your mystery wounds but don’t wait to see the specialist as it sounds quite serious . I dint have oszing gaping wounds either . I have swollen lymph nodes Lymph edema in the arm and horrid rashes .
feel free to email here if need be . wishing you all the best !
MarciaM

Abbidoodle

MarciaM, thank you for replying to my post. Oxygen therapy has been mentioned but the surgeon i saw on Tuesday feels these sores will not heal and he wants me to see a plastic surgeon. The hard part is getting through the days in so much pain! I'm working with pain management but so far have gotten very little relief. I'll keep you posted!