Member Comments are provided by individuals and reflect their personal opinions only. Under NO circumstances should you act on any advice or opinion posted in this forum. ALWAYS check with your personal physician before taking any action regarding your health! MedHelp International and our partners, sponsors and affiliates have no obligation to monitor any comments posted on this site, or the content and/or accuracy of such exchanges. MedHelp International does not endorse the views of any user.
Breast Cancer (Expert Forum)
radiated heart tissue
Questions posted in the Breast Cancer Forum are answered by medical professionals from The Cleveland Clinic. Topics include Breast Biopsy, Chemotherapy, Hormone Therapy, Lumps, Lumpectomy, Lymph node dissection, Lymphedema, Mammograms, Mastectomy, Radiation Therapy, Reconstruction, Self Breast Exam, and Surgery.
|
radiated heart tissue
by Cat Menke, Sep 29, 2005 12:00AM
I was diagnosed in 2001 at the age of 26. My tumor was approx 4cm and invasion of the chest wall nodes was present. I had a modified radical mastectomy on the left breast, chemo (FEC treatments, and 33 radiation treatments. My radiologist informed me that since we had to treat so deeply into the chest wall, that we would also damage my heart. He told me I would probably be looking at bypass by the time I was 40. Is this common?
Doctor's Answer
by CCF-RN,MSN-rf, Sep 30, 2005 12:00AM
Dear cat menke: Anytime there is radiation to the chest, there is a possibility of there being some radiation to the heart. The amount of exposure would depend upon the field of radiation and the dose. The physicists and radiation oncologist will generally attempt to minimize esposure of the heart to radiation. Damage such as what you describe is not common, but certainly possible, if the heart received radiation.
Communities
Ask a Doctor Forums
Tools and Applications
Personal Information
Medical Information
Doctors and Partners