Having pectus carinatum and PC would radiotherapy or chemotherapy affect the strength of the rib cage structure?

[Adlon57]

I have PC but also epilepsy which I have had for over fifty years, over 400 + seizures thus weakened my rib cage structure [affected by pectus carinatum/pigeon chest] over the years thus likely to refracture. I have had radiotherapy but would that or chemotherapy affect the bone strength of my rib cage structure? I have the final results of the radiotherapy [and blood tests] due on 24th March.

[Ian99]

Hi Adlon. As you can see from my profile, I have had 2 sessions of RT. The first was in 2015 shortly after I was diagnosed.. 37 sessions, 74 Gy over 7 1/2 weeks. A later one in 2019 was SABR.. 5 sessions over 2 weeks to irradiate an oligometastatic tumour.

I have had no issues with bone structure resulting from either of these, and certainly not in the rib cage area. A Dexa scan in 3/22 showed bone structure ok except for ostopenia in right femur.. more than likely a result of hormone therapy.

This is only my experience but I hope it is helpful. All under NHS btw. Best of luck.

[Adlon57 in reply to Ian99]

Maybe a weakness in bone strength as formerly refracturing ribs, seems to refracture at a greater rate after radiotherapy sessions and decapeptyl [hormone] injection?

[Ian99 in reply to Adlon57]

In my experience the radiotherapy had no effect on bone structure but if you’re also having a hormone injection, I would consult with your oncologist. A known possible side effect of hormone therapy is bone loss and a higher risk for fractures.

[Adlon57 in reply to Ian99]

Now that is very interesting, that might explain a lot,👍 thanks Ian99!

[Adlon57 in reply to Adlon57]

Yep! another nail in my coffin, nice one NHS!🙄

[Adlon57 in reply to Adlon57]

Just checked this out;

"Bone thinning (osteoporosis)

If you take this treatment for several months or more, you may get bone thinning. This is called osteoporosis. This can increase your risk of a broken bone (fracture). You may have bone density scans to check your bone health before and during treatment.

Doing regular exercise, such as walking, can improve your bone health. Eating a healthy diet can help too. Your doctor may prescribe drugs called bisphosphonates to help protect your bones. They may also advise you to take calcium and vitamin D supplements."

taken via Macmillan documents on Decapeptyl side effects!

I am advised to not go around bare chested, always at least wear t-shirt at all times, and they missed this?🤔😤🙃😝😝😝

[Adlon57]

I have pectus carinatum/pigeon chest, I have broken every rib in my body, epileptic seizures, [since age 14]the degeneration of chest rib structure is now " can't do anything for you!" stage, and they gave me decapeptyl injection whilst PC radiotherapy sessions probably a big factor in this degeneration of my rib cage structure, my ribs refracture whilst in bed, I have a broken skull [another seizure will be my last looming over me already]. They did not do proper research when applying this mixture, I have been waiting three months just to get results of PC radiotherapy sessions on 24th March 🤔🤔🤔🤔

[Adlon57]

I have a friend on the inside, one of my specialists, is able to get inside info🤫 I will pass on these findings about the Decapeptyl injections side effects?

Not a nice time I'm going through thanks TalentedITGuy I'll need it!