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LibbyA's avatar
LibbyA
Member
2 years ago

Late onset Radiotherapy issues

I had radiation therapy after surgery on my left breast over four years ago.   In the last couple of months I have developed something called Bronchiolitis Olbitrans Organising Pneumonia (BOOP).  One of the causes cane be breast cancer radiation, however my cancer was the outer side of my left breast and the  lesions from the BOOP are upper outer side of right lung.   Has anyone else developed this?  I’m really lost here.  I did not have chemo if that makes a difference.
radiotherapy
side-effects
  • arpie's avatar
    arpie
    Member
    2 years ago
    Sorry to hear this, @LibbyA - I haven't heard of this one - but a girlfriend developed early lung cancer that she believes was a result of her radiation 20+ years ago  ..... it was small & successfully removed tho her breathing has been compromised a bit.

    What have they suggested as treatment?   Antibiotics?  I hope it doesn't return xx
  • LibbyA's avatar
    LibbyA
    Member
    2 years ago
    I had antibiotics when they thought normal pneumonia, but now only prednisone to get inflammation down and see what happens in a month.
  • arpie's avatar
    arpie
    Member
    2 years ago
    Good luck, I hope it works for you.  I had prednisone before I was diagnosed with BC as I had a cold/bronchitis for about 6 months that I just couldn't shake .... it worked for me ;) 
  • TonyaM's avatar
    TonyaM
    Member
    2 years ago
    Hi @LibbyA, sorry to hear this. Radiation is the gift that keeps on giving. I know it can cause a pneumonitis- not sure if it’s the right term. I had radiation back in 2003,following a lumpectomy. I ended up with lung scarring and after 7yrs,cancer was back in the same spot and much bigger! I can’t help feeling that radiation may have caused the second one. My breast went rock hard and always felt weird. Even after a mastectomy, the skin still  feels tight and weird
  • LibbyA's avatar
    LibbyA
    Member
    2 years ago
    TonyaM said:
    Hi @LibbyA, sorry to hear this. Radiation is the gift that keeps on giving. I know it can cause a pneumonitis- not sure if it’s the right term. I had radiation back in 2003,following a lumpectomy. I ended up with lung scarring and after 7yrs,cancer was back in the same spot and much bigger! I can’t help feeling that radiation may have caused the second one. My breast went rock hard and always felt weird. Even after a mastectomy, the skin still  feels tight and weird
    Was the lung issue in the same side as the radiation?
  • Tinks's avatar
    Tinks
    Member
    2 years ago
    BOOP is now called organising pneumonia, and is known to be associated with radiation therapy, as well as some underlying disorders called connective tissue disorders. Sometimes no reason can be found for it. It can resolve on its own, or usually responds to steroids. This is a rare disease, have you considered a requesting, or have you had a specialist lung physician opinion? Also there is a fact sheet on this on the lung foundation website, which is quite informative, written by a specialist at the Austin hospital.

    I hope it settles down for you. Xx Tinks