Vascular wound from radiation for sarcoma of the pectoralis major

Posted by alangodel @alangodel, Apr 16, 2019

77yr old male has avascular wound in chest area post radiation treatment, looking for treatments that is not invasive.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Cancer Support Group.

Hi @alangodel and welcome to Connect. You may have noticed I moved your post to the Cancer group so that you can connect with others with similar experience.

That must be awful having a vascular wound post radiation.

I wanted to share this discussion on radiation burns (https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/radiation-burns/) as I thought it might be helpful, and also wanted to introduce you to fellow Connect members @loli @texasduchess and @sews as they have undergone radiation treatment and may have similar experiences.

Back to you @alangodel, what type of cancer did you receive radiation treatment for? What treatments for this wound did your doctor suggest?

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Hello Ethan,The cancer was sarcoma of the pectoralis major. The doctor sugested very extensive surgery or just living with it. I am 77yrs old I don't think surgery is a good option. I think there must be other more conservative options. Thank you

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@alangodel

Hello Ethan,The cancer was sarcoma of the pectoralis major. The doctor sugested very extensive surgery or just living with it. I am 77yrs old I don't think surgery is a good option. I think there must be other more conservative options. Thank you

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Hi Alan,
I'd like to add my welcome. I can't imagine having an open wound on the shoulder. (I assume that is where it is.) I'd like to bring in a few other members into this conversation like @saemlerpe and @kristennursepatient.

Alan, Are you getting special wound care?

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@alangodel please clarify: is it an avascular wound- meaning no blood supply to it? Then is surgery being proposed to also promote healing in this area to reconnect tissue that still has good blood supply?

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Hello Colleen and Kristen.The wound is in the chest area were both the pectorals major and minor were removed. The wound has no blood supply and the bone under the wound is nucrotic but has no infection. The surgery that is being preposed is to move muscle from the back into that area. The doctor gave FlexiCol® hydrocolloid dressing. Thank you

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@alangodel

Hello Colleen and Kristen.The wound is in the chest area were both the pectorals major and minor were removed. The wound has no blood supply and the bone under the wound is nucrotic but has no infection. The surgery that is being preposed is to move muscle from the back into that area. The doctor gave FlexiCol® hydrocolloid dressing. Thank you

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I'm so sorry Alan. This puts you in an impossible position if you don't want surgery. Unfortunately if there is tissue that is necrotic, it's in the way of the tissue that could heal and an incubator for future infections. I understand you have already been through a lot, but surgery is your best solution. Have they gone through what would happen if it is left alone?

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