Anyone have open heart surgery due to radiation damage decades later?

Posted by marilynw @marilynw, Feb 19 5:07pm

In 1988 was treated for Hodgkins Disease with mantal radiation. After 30 years the nasty side effects began. Currently there are 3 heart values that need to be replaced. A mitral clip was inserted earlier this year; however, the results weren't favorable. The cardio specialists have recommended I have open heart surgery. This is a high-risk procedure due to the scarring of my chest, including the heart and lungs. The benefits might not outweigh the risks. Anyone have experience with dilemma? Thank you.

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

Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Mar 3 4:54pm

@marilynw, I added your question to the Heart & Blood Health group as well as the Cancer: Managing Symptoms group to find more members who have had heart issues after radiation. @sosser writes about radiation induced heart disease in this related discussion:
- Radiation-Induced Heart Disease (RIHD) https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/radiation-induced-heart-disease-rihd/

Also see:
- Cancer Treatment Induced Heart Disease https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/radiation-induced-heart-disease/

@tessa2 @annettebc @jocelynk have also talked about late effects of radiation for Hodgkin's disease and may have more to share.

Marilyn, have you made any decisions about surgery or not?

Laurie, Volunteer Mentor | @roch | Mar 5 6:28am

@marilynw

Welcome to Mayo Connect. I might be dealing with a similar situation. I was diagnosed with Breast Cancer in 2018, and before treatment, I had an echo on the heart; everything was normal. I had radiation on the left side of my chest as part of the treatment plan. Now, during a scan for another reason, it was discovered that I have aortic root dilation. I have seen a vascular specialist and have another appointment in April to discuss next steps. It is just below the size that might require surgery. I have no history of heart disease, so finding out about this condition is very scary.

I plan on reading the links Colleen provided so I can prepare questions for my appointment in April.

marilynw | @marilynw | Mar 8 6:47pm

Thank you for reaching out and sharing your situation. It's different than mine, however we have in common that it's a very scary. I wish you all the best. Hopefully you won't require surgery and there are other alternatives.

marilynw | @marilynw | Mar 8 6:53pm

In reply to @colleenyoung "@marilynw, I added your question to the Heart & Blood Health group as well as the..." + (show)

@colleenyoung ,
Thank you for adding my question to other groups and the additional information.
I'm obtaining a second opinion before I decide to have surgery or not.

ken1946 | @ken1946 | Mar 10 4:22pm

I had a quadruple bypass in middle of my hormone treatments. I had bladder removal surgery 7 years after my radiation. The radiation weakened the bladder and holes allowed poison spread thru out my body.