Pneumonia soon after chemo & radiotherapy treatment

10/05/08

Cressida

Following mastectomy of left breast,chemotherapy & radiotherapy treatment which finished in June 2008, I developed low grade fever & what the docs say is pneumonia. I was very upset to see the white patch in my Xray where my left breast & the IDC form of cancer had been.Could this mean that my cancer has spread to the tissues at the back & is now manifesting itself in the form of pneumonia.Or could it mean that cancer has spread to my lungs? Do I get a CT Scan done or an MRI or Petscan.

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Answers (1)

Sunday, October 05, 2008

PJ Hamel

Hi Cressida - I had pneumonia after chemo, also. It's not unusual. But it all eventaully cleared up. Unless you don't trust your doctor - and if you don't, best to find a new one, because you'll be with him/her for a good long time- then I'd trust what (s)he says. I think it would be incredibly unusual for lung cancer, which isn't the most common place for breast cancer to metastasize, to develop SO soon after treatment, and become large enough to see. My advice? If your doctor isn't recommending any further tests, then you probably don't need any. (S)he'll probably get you X-rayed again somewhere down the road to see how that patch looks, but in the meantime - I'd go forward with a positive outlook and try to stop worrying. Or, if you can't stop worrying - ask for a second opinion, which is always an option. Good luck - PJH