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Stabbing back pain common a year after lung radiation in same area?

Posted by harrybanian007 @harrybanian007, Mar 21 1:49am

Hi everyone,
I’m hoping someone here can share their experience or knowledge about this. My mom had radiation therapy about a year ago for a lung nodule in her left upper lobe. Her follow-up CT scans have shown post-radiation fibrosis and no signs of cancer recurrence, which is reassuring.

Recently though, she’s been experiencing stabbing or sharp pain in her upper back, exactly in the same area where the lung nodule was treated. The pain is intermittent — it comes for a day or two, goes away for a couple of days, and then returns again.

She’s also on Anastrozole for a previous breast cancer, and a few weeks ago she had a strong flu with lots of coughing, which may have irritated the area.

I’m wondering:

Has anyone had this kind of delayed pain in the radiation area?
Could this be caused by nerve irritation, scarring (fibrosis), or even a small rib injury from radiation or coughing?
Is this kind of pain something others have dealt with after radiation?
Any insight or similar experiences would be really helpful. Thanks so much in advance 🙏

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denzie | @denzie | Mar 21 9:27pm

I experienced ongoing pain from both lung and breast cancer radiations for several years. Radiation caused damage to the surrounding tissue and there is some scarring from that. The spots on my back where radiation was aimed are hard rather than malleable that you expect when you touch a muscle. It's a bit like the muscles are welded together.

There are many things that could cause injury to that hard/welded tissue there and a cough may be one of them.

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1 reply
acguidon | @acguidon | Mar 24 7:24am

I also experience pain in my upper right lung where a needle biopsy was done about two years ago. The pain comes and goes and is not as often as before.

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harrybanian007 | @harrybanian007 | Mar 24 8:09pm
In reply to @denzie "I experienced ongoing pain from both lung and breast cancer radiations for several years. Radiation caused..." + (show)
@denzie

I experienced ongoing pain from both lung and breast cancer radiations for several years. Radiation caused damage to the surrounding tissue and there is some scarring from that. The spots on my back where radiation was aimed are hard rather than malleable that you expect when you touch a muscle. It's a bit like the muscles are welded together.

There are many things that could cause injury to that hard/welded tissue there and a cough may be one of them.

Jump to this post

when my mom was diagnosed with breast cancer the dr saw the nodule in CT and ordered pet scan and it lit up ..... that's when she got the chemo for breast and got the radiation for lung afterwards so it was very tough year since it was back to back..... she has another pet tomorrow I hope nothing serious since it's the same exact spot and the stinging pain goes away when she lays down and gets stronger when she gets fatigued

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2 replies
Mentor
Lisa, Volunteer Mentor | @lls8000 | Mar 26 10:33am
In reply to @harrybanian007 "when my mom was diagnosed with breast cancer the dr saw the nodule in CT and..." + (show)
@harrybanian007

when my mom was diagnosed with breast cancer the dr saw the nodule in CT and ordered pet scan and it lit up ..... that's when she got the chemo for breast and got the radiation for lung afterwards so it was very tough year since it was back to back..... she has another pet tomorrow I hope nothing serious since it's the same exact spot and the stinging pain goes away when she lays down and gets stronger when she gets fatigued

Jump to this post

@harrybanian007 , I feel for your mom, and you, that's a lot to process in the same year. I'm glad to read that she's having a PET scan today. If that shows nothing of concern, I'm wondering if it feels nerve related? Our nerves can react strangely and at odd times too.

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denzie | @denzie | Mar 27 3:20pm
In reply to @harrybanian007 "when my mom was diagnosed with breast cancer the dr saw the nodule in CT and..." + (show)
@harrybanian007

when my mom was diagnosed with breast cancer the dr saw the nodule in CT and ordered pet scan and it lit up ..... that's when she got the chemo for breast and got the radiation for lung afterwards so it was very tough year since it was back to back..... she has another pet tomorrow I hope nothing serious since it's the same exact spot and the stinging pain goes away when she lays down and gets stronger when she gets fatigued

Jump to this post

How's she doing today?

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