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Anyone have pain in pectoral muscles after radiation? What did you do?
I was diagnosed with adocarcinoma in February. Went through one round of chemo treatments, but it showed no improvement. So I did another round with different meds along with radiation. No major side effects with any of this. Now, about 3 months after completing the radiation I’m having a lot of pain and discomfort in my pectoral muscles on the same side that I received the radiation. Especially when I raise my arm and move it backwards. Also I feel like the lymph nodes are swollen, but when I touch, there is no swelling. Anyone experience this and what did your docs say about it? Was it due to the radiation? How long did it last? Thanks for any insights.
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Hi @popsue, Radiation can be hard on any tissue. From what I've read and learned from talking with others (not personal experience), the after-effects can sometimes take months to develop. Your doctor, of course, knows your case the best. You may want to ask them about the possibility of inflammation in the area, or fibrosis which is related to scaring.
Have you been in contact with your doctor about this pain yet? Did they have any suggestions about what may be causing it, or treatment options?
Yes, I saw the oncologist PA last time in a video call. I told her about it and she said it may be musculoskeletal. Advised heat and Tylenol. I also asked the radiation oncologist staff. They said radiation doesn’t cause musculoskeletal issues and advised the same thing. I am having a PET/CT later this month so they may be able to see more of what is causing the pectoral issues. Thanks for responding.
@popsue , The scans sound like a good next step. And rest too, in case it is a muscle stress or tear. Keep us posted.
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@popsue, did the CT scan show what the issue is? How are you doing?
@colleenyoung I will get the results tomorrow. Hoping for good news.
PET/CT showed tumor reduced in size and less metabolic activity. Was very happy with the results. Now immunotherapy for 1 year.
@popsue , That's great news! Are you still experiencing the pectoral are pain?
Still a little but it is getting less. Doesn’t seem like it is related to the cancer, but I will be see in the radiologist in February and will ask him about it being caused by the radiation.
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1 ReactionSince you have had a scan since your first post, this might not relate to your pectoral pain. I began my radiation treatments in June 2023 and ended in July 2023. I had only five treatements using SBRT radiation on stage 1 lung cancer. I began having some pain right after treatment, but it was more discomfort than anything. The doctor sent me to a heart doctor to get checked, heart ok. Eventually it ceased, but it seemed to flare up when I would eat foods that would cause inflammation. After about a year and a half, it started getting bad, especially when I reached up, or used my arms in a repeated motion, like sweeping, etc. When my next pet scan came up, it showed the 7th rib was fractured. Nothing we could do but give it time to heal. After 3 months it was still hurting and the doctor sent me to get x-rays to check how the healing was coming along. X-rays showed the 6th rib broken now, and the 7th not healed. The pain has been under the arm by the breast, in the center of my chest around the breast, and along the back. This pain is on the same side I had the radiation. So for the last 6 months I have been dealing with this pain. Another scan is coming next month.
I was never told that radiation could cause fractured ribs. I did a deep dive on the info for SBRT radiation....and I just pray that it does heal!