Is it normal to have a severe "radiation burn" from radiation treatment?
I was diagnosed Stage 4 breast cancer, had a lumpectomy, and underwent chemotherapy (6 rounds). 6 weeks later, they started radiation therapy; daily, once on either side of my breast.I am now experiencing a severe radiation burn under my armpit; looks like 2nd degree, outer skin is peeling and is painful. I have 1 week remaining where they say they will just target the lumpectomy site, but I'm concerned that with the present condition of
my breast, that this will be more harmful than good. What can I do? The doctor and
nurse and technician assure me that this will heal after treatments are completed. I have
nothing to compare to. I don't know of anyone who has had this reaction.
Ulrike, I don't know how common this reaction is, but it certainly happens. Happened to a friend of mine; she couldn't stand to wear any clothes at all from the waist up for awhile... luckily she was retired and could stay home. So yes, I've heard of this happening. I believe the medical pros are right- they can avoid irradiating that area for the last week, and yes, it'll heal. Sorry you had such a bad reaction- on top of all the rest of your treatment, you must feel like you're going theough the Seven Plagues! Hope things go well for you as you get through this active treatment phase and move into drug therapy, or wherever you go next. Best of luck - PJH
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American being treated in Europe
Sunday, June 14, 2009 at 04:00 AM
PJ Hamel
Sunday, June 14, 2009 at 06:45 AM
Hi - Everyone reacts differently to radiation; unfortunately, it sounds like you had a severe reaction. I'd surmise that next week's treatments, if they're not aimed at the burned area, won't worsen it. I think it takes a direct shot of radiation to produce burns. And be sure to wash off the aloe vera before getting radiation—IF they're radiating where the burn is. When I did radiation, I was told creams and jellies can affect its delivery. Bottom line: ask the tech(s) when you go in if you need to wash it off. Hope things go well this week so you can get past this and get healing- PJH
Ulrike, I think your response to radiation is not unusual. People do vary in how much they burn. I had a fairly extensive area of burns that looked really bad to me, but my doctor was saying how pleased she was with how well my skin was holding up. Sometimes radiation has to be stopped because the skin breaks down. I was getting extra radiation because 16 of my lymph nodes were positive, and seeing that you are Stage 4, I'm guessing that your doctor might be giving you more radiation than some of your friends whose cancer is less advanced have received. Studies show that radiation really works, so try to hang in there. The nurse should be able to give you some creams and dressings that will help.
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Ulrike - I had a simular reaction when I underwent radiation. The doctor and nurses all told me to make sure I lather up with Keri Original, Jergens with Aloe, or the like type of lotion 3 times a day. I went from being regular skin toned to burnt to a crisp overnight. But once radaition ended (in Aug) my skin bubbled & peeled like a sunburn and now I'm just a tad darker. The lotion really helps. You should likely be checking in with your radiation dr weekly - have him look at the burn and see what he thinks. He may rx some special aloe gel.
Good luck!
Angi
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Hey its sounds pretty normal Unfortunately that s what happens some people on radiation. Everyone is different My mother just finished radiio two weeks ago and is now in hospital for severe burns she received from it. It's two weeks on and it's very slow. At the time she was totally bedridden and could not even dress herself All her skin broke and got infected. With these thing s its time that is the healer unfortunately. They are using chamomile soaks on her and pain relief but nothing else. Just telling you in case you think something is wrong or abnormal. Hope you heal well
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Hey its sounds pretty normal Unfortunately that s what happens some people on radiation. Everyone is different My mother just finished radiio two weeks ago and is now in hospital for severe burns she received from it. It's two weeks on and it's very slow. At the time she was totally bedridden and could not even dress herself All her skin broke and got infected. With these thing s its time that is the healer unfortunately. They are using chamomile soaks on her and pain relief but nothing else. Just telling you in case you think something is wrong or abnormal. Hope you heal well
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Understand Your Pathology Report
Get past the medical jargon and know the facts about your breast cancer diagnosis.
I am having a similar reaction. Stage III breast cancer with 7 positive lymph nodes, lumpectomy, chemotherapy and just finished 5 weeks of radiation treatment and next week will only have radiation on lumpectomy site. This weekend the skin under my arm has 3 serious looking burns, one of which has peeled, is about 3 inches around, and is very painful. My questions are: How long will the radiation burning continue to get worse? Will next week's radiation treatments make everything worse? or will it be limited to the area being irradiated?
The doctor has only prescribed using Panthenol spray which is not effective in pain relief so I am using aloe vera gelly which cools the area and provides some pain relief. Will this affect the radiation of my lumpectomy site?