Breast enlargment,MRI sched, Doctors baffled

Julieanne,

You mentioned an oncologist and a surgeon. I think you posted before about this and I suggested you get another opinion or examination at another treatment center - preferably at a comprehensive cancer center accredited by the National Cancer Institute.

If the doctors are still baffled after the MRI, see another doctor. That's what I would do.

Sending you good wishes for an answer and relief from this.
Jean

julieanne said:

Thanks for responding Jean. I,m kinda strapped with the doctors I have and I will wait to see what the MRI says. I jsut haven't read anywhere where someone has mentioned this reaction so late after radiation and just afraid something is going on and they are not responding as quick as I would like them to. )

I found this which was a presentation in Ottawa Cancer Centre in Canada.
What do you think about the CELLULITIS diagnosis?????


>>>Late side effects (Of radiation)


These are seen about 6 months to years after treatment and are usually permanent.


They are caused by slow degeneration of the blood supply to organs and/or glands, which can lead to damage or death of the organs or glands involved.


These are of concern because in some people they can be quite disabling and cause long term pain. They include


Chronic inflammation and fibrosis (scarring). Apart from breast cancer treatment, this can occur almost anywhere in the body.

Brachial plexus injury, or damage to the complex bundle of nerves under arm. Problems range from a sensation of "pins and needles" to total paralysis of the arm and hand, sometimes with severe pain. It is seen from 10 months to 4 years after radiotherapy.7

Lymphedema (accumulation of lymph fluid) in the arm on the side of treatment and swelling of the breast, or over the ribs or lower torso, which can be very uncomfortable. Lymph fluid can't circulate normally due to scar tissue from removal of lymph nodes and irradiation.

Cellulitis is a complication of lymphedema. Infection develops in the lymph fluid and surrounding tissues, such as the arm, chest wall, breast and shoulder. Lymph fluid is trapped by scar tissue and acts like an incubator where infection is hard to treat. This painful condition can become chronic, requiring long- term antibiotic treatment, for months or years.

A rare complication of lymphedema is lymphangio- sarcoma (secondary cancer) in the swollen arm.



Endarteritis obliterans: blocking of small and medium arteries, with subsequent scarring or damage to organs or glands which they supplied. These organs or glands may stop working years after radiotherapy.

Matchline fibrosis (inflammation and scarring) where radiation fields have overlapped, such as in the pectoral muscle, limiting shoulder movement, or rib fractures which can happen without symptoms.

Pericarditis8 (inflammation of the membrane around the heart)

There is concern of risk of secondary malignancies, eg. breast cancer, leukemia and sarcoma1 and others such as lung and esophageal cancer.
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Please let us know what you find out.
Jean