Forum Discussion

Cathy1919's avatar
Cathy1919
Member
3 months ago

Radiotherapy side effects

Hello I began chemotherapy in April this year for triple negative breast cancer and 2 weeks ago I finished 13 cycles of chemo.  I now can have a lumpectomy followed by 3 weeks of radiotherapy.  Due to some side effects of radiotherapy, I was looking at my options of removing the whole breast which I then could avoid radiotherapy as both options have the same survival rate. I have had sarcoid of the lungs in past and lot of severe gerd pain which I’m on medication for recently due to chemo. Has anyone got any experience with longterm side effects from radiotherapy they could share?  Thank you

lumpectomy
mastectomy
radiation
radiotherapy
side-effects

1 Reply

  • Dh5Wy83's avatar
    Dh5Wy83
    Member
    2 months ago

    Hello Cathy1919​ ,

     The side effects from radiotherapy really depend on what (so organs such as the heart, lungs, stomach, bowel, etc, etc) is in the radiation field  and the total dose of radiation you are treated with. In terms of late effects, in addition to the radiation field and radiation dosage, age at the time of treatment is an important factor to consider (particularly where radiation treatment occurs before the age of 30yrs).

    Have your doctors discussed how they plan to manage side effects should they occur? Do they plan to  protect your lungs, heart and remaining breast tissue while you undergo radiotherapy? When I underwent mantle radiotherapy, lead shields were used to reduce radiation exposure to my heart, lungs and breast tissue. 

    It is also worth asking the doctor what late effects are associated with the radiotherapy regime you are undergoing and how will you be monitored for the development of late effects once treatment is completed.