Radiation induced fibrosis: How are you managing it?

I was very concerned with developing radiation induce pulmonary fibrosis when I was first diagnosed. I have a strong family history of Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. I insisted, before my lumpectomy and radiation, on having a conference call with my pulmonologist and surgical oncologist after reading an article that was published by NIH, stating that there was a 16-24% chance. During that call my pulmonologist, who I been seeing for over 15 years and have great respect for, said that in his 40 years of practice he has only see 2 cases of radiation induced pulmonary fibrosis. He stated that the rate of occurrence was more like 1.5%. While both doctors felt that I was overly concerned they both spoke with the radiation oncologist the next day about my fears. The next my radiation oncologist called and I was able to meet her the following day. She then explain in detail how she would do my treatments. I was fortunate that my tumor was in the upper left portion of my left breast and I was able to do deep inhalation breathe hold while the radiation treatment was being done. This technique helped move the lung away from the treatment area. When the radiation oncologist showed me the scan of the radition target and my lungs, it was pretty clear that every attempt was made to avoid my lung.

I have pulmonary fibrosis so it was a big concern for for me. My cancer was in my right breast; my radiologist arranged for me to have the procedure over 5 days in the prone position and my lung was not in the path. Good luck and best wishes.

To brighterdays,
I‘be had fibrosis since I was 16 until about 30 something. I’m 72 now and in 2013 I had breast cancer and had radiation. In 2018 had breast cancer and again radiation. Now I have breast cancer in my lungs chemo no radiation. I never developed fibrosis through any of this. Hope this helps you. I pray it doesn’t cause fibrosis for you♥️

Hi @brighterdays, I hope you saw the helpful comments to your questions. Have you had radiation yet? Do you have radiation-induced fibrosis and are looking for ways to manage it or avoid it?

I had a right breast mastectomy in December '21 and developed a seroma that required regular aspiration for 4.5 months. (I still have some fluid that shows on MRI.) Because I had "regional metastses" 3 weeks of radiation was required, which I did from Feb 7-March 1. I was told they would "work around" the seroma, but I was concerned. Well, by October I was having labored breathing climbing the stairs. My oncologist ordered another MRI, November 16, 2022. It was compared with one done exactly one year earlier November 16, 2021 ---- bingo, the pulmonologist saw the new lung damage and diagnosed my radiation lung fibrosis. It may not happen frequently, but it does happen. Exercise - swimming, yoga, exercise bike, rowing machine - really help me keep it under control. I am hoping it just doesn't get any worse. I think the seroma was an obstacle in my radiation treatments.