Radiation Fibrosis

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littletower
littletower Member Posts: 333
edited September 2014 in Stage III Breast Cancer

Hi all;

Recent CT scan showed "radiation induced pulmonary fibrosis" in my right lung. It explains the shortness of breath and coughing when I exercise, which is a lot. I know from Dr. Google, (who is really quite the dooms day doc), that this is irreversible. Anyone else have this and can tell me what their experience is? Did you have a biopsy to confirm that is what it is and not mets? This is the first scan on which it showed up and because I was in the Hopkins vaccine trial, I have been scanned every year for the last three years. Any info would be helpful.

I have an appointment with a pulmonary specialist at the end of October (!) but I'm hoping to get in earlier.

Thanks!

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  • Momine
    Momine Member Posts: 7,859
    edited September 2014

    I had it, and presumably still have it. It got better, at least symptom-wise, so don't despair.

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  • MaxineO
    MaxineO Member Posts: 555
    edited September 2014

    I have it too. I did a chest xray for medical clearance to scuba dive, and the pulmonary specialist saw it and said it was irreversible damage.  I think it has improved, symptom-wise (shortness of breath, etc.), over time. I was warned before rads, so I think it's quite common.

    The specialist may have some advice for strengthening your lungs, etc.  Good luck.

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited September 2014

    I have scarring on my right lung that shows up on scans every time, remains stable though.  But a weird thing lately is an ache in area around my sternum, which I've figured out may be lifting my grandson up (35 lbs?) too much !  He is definitely old enough to walk but loves to be held.  I know - bad for me !  I don't have shortness of breath ever, even when exercising but my onc said the scarring is from radiation OR it is from some infection many years ago.  I'm going with the "radiation" explanation.  

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  • peacestrength
    peacestrength Member Posts: 690
    edited April 2015

    I have it as well.  My last CT scan said it had improved.  Good you are seeing a pulmonary doctor.   I have one too. 

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  • littletower
    littletower Member Posts: 333
    edited September 2014

    Your posts are all so helpful, thanks! Follow up questions; do you get regular scans to check for changes and if so, how frequently? Secondly, have any of you done additional testing to ensure it's not lung mets or do your Dr.'s simply read it as fibrosis and leave it at that? 

    Thanks again!

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited September 2014

    As I have no real symptoms they probably won't do any chest scans that before were happening every 3 to 6 months for a couple of years.  They just wanted to make sure that it looked stable between each scan and not any larger.  Hope this helps !  Shelly

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