Radiation After DCIS - What Side Effects?

[LadyTE]

In another week, I wll start 6 weeks of radiation after a lumpectomy for DCIS.  Radiation oncologist told me the more common side effects are fatigue and developing a sunburn on the skin, usually about 3 weeks into the treatment.
He also said that some there will be some radiation exposure to some ribs and a small portion of the lung - unavoidable.  He said there is usually no long-term problem but that the ribs may be a bit more vunerable to fracture if I were in a car accident or fell heavily on them.  He said they will map the beam to totally avoid the heart.
For anyone who's gone thru this already - what side effects did you experience?  Were you also told of slight exposure to ribs/lung?

[zouzi]

I would like to add one more thing.
Please talk to your Oncologist before taking any kind of medication, including Vitamin supplement.
Some vitamins might interfere with radiation's ability to destroy cancer cells.

[zouzi]

Hi,
I also had radiation therapy and it really wasn't too bad at all. I hope it will be the same for you too.
I have added some more information about side effects and I hope it will help you.  
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Radiation treatment to the chest may cause swallowing problems, cough, or shortness of breath. Be sure to tell your doctor or nurse if you notice any of these side effects.

If you get radiation therapy after surgery for breast cancer, try to go without wearing a bra whenever you can. If this is not possible, wear a soft cotton bra without underwire so that your skin is not irritated. If your shoulders feel stiff, ask your doctor or nurse about exercises to keep your arms moving freely.

Other side effects may include breast soreness and swelling from fluid build-up in the treated area. These side effects most likely will go away a month or 2 after you finish radiation therapy.

Skin in the treated area may turn red or get darker. This will most likely fade 1 or 2 months after you finish radiation.

Radiation therapy after breast surgery may cause other long-term changes in the breast. Your skin may be slightly darker, and pores may be enlarged and more noticeable. The skin may be more or less sensitive and feel thicker and firmer than it was before your treatment. Sometimes the size of your breast changes -- it may become larger because of fluid build-up or smaller because of the development of fibrous tissue. Many women have little or no change in breast size. These side effects may continue for a year or longer after treatment.

After 12 months, you should not have any new changes. If you do see changes in breast size, shape, appearance, or texture after this time, report them to your doctor.

When radiation treatments include the chest area, the lungs can be affected. One early change is a decrease in the levels of surfactant, the substance that helps keep the air passages open. This keeps the lungs from fully expanding, and may cause shortness of breath or cough. These symptoms are sometimes treated with steroids.
Best wishes...

[fitangel]

My stepmom had a lumpectomy to remove a cancerous tumor many years ago and also underwent radiation therapy at the same time.  She began but later stopped chemotherapy because she could not tolerate the side effects.  The cancer treatments were about 30 years ago and she has recently developed COPD as a result of the radiation.  So it does appear to have affecter her lungs.  I should mention though that she was a smoker for many years as well.  She was told that the radiation affected her lungs but have to wonder how much can be attributed to the smoking.  The good news is that she has remained cancer free for all these years!  Try increasing your calcium and magnesium intake along with Vitamin D when its appropriate to keep your bones as healthy as possible.

[slymd]

I have gone through the six weeks of radiation and it really was not bad. More inconvenient than anything. I did get the "sunburn" that was a little tender but they have creams that help that. I was not told of anything with the ribs but he did mention that it could burn my throat. I did have that for a little while but not really bad.