aortic stenosis ? caused chest radiation after breast cancer

[mad4cavs]

i had triple negative breast cancer in 2016 treated with chemo and radiation,cancer also triggered diffuse scleroderma,i have since read thar radiotheraphy can cause aortic stenosis, has anyone ,had radiotherapy and linked it to aortic therapy.

[Bikafella]

This is surely a question for your medical team as I don't think anyone here can answer this with any certainty. I was told my aortic stenosis had formed over a period of a few years (no way of knowing, as I'd not had any symptoms until a routine health check unrelated to heart matters found it)

[mad4cavs in reply to Bikafella]

mine was discovered on my yearly echo,i have because my scleroderma can affect my heart, im not asking for advice i just wondered if anyone has had any knowledge of this x

[lisburb]

Interesting thought and deffo one for your medical team. I had breast cancer 30 years ago, chemo radiotherapy and lhs mastectomy ( cancer cells discovered very close to my chest wall) I had a repair to my aortic valve 7 years ago (def history of heart problems on my paternal side) my late father had the same condition as me but he was 7 years older than when I had to have it done. So did the radiotherapy damage my aortic valve? I asked at the time and they didnt say yes or no. I in the past few years every time I catch a cold, it goes straight to my chest, always the left hand side. I mentioned to my GP about it and he said I cant say the radiotherapy has affected your body on that side, but, I also cant say it hasnt ? He said we dont see many people who live this long that dont have side effects. I wanted to have reconstructive surgery after my mastectomy but a senior surgeon advised me not too. He said you have had many interventions and procedures in that part of your body and we need to see what is going on, if I cover it up, we cant. I'll be interested to see what other experiences anyone else has had?

[Dogmom419]

I had Hodgkins Disease as a kid 40 years ago - chemotherapy and radiation. About 9 years ago, I started getting breathless after some minor cardiovascular exercise, which was very odd. Went to have it checked out, and I had aortic and mitral valve stenosis, which the doctors believe was caused by the radiation I took to my chest when I was 10 for Hodgkins. It wasn't genetic, and there is no history of valve issue in my family, so they figure that's what caused it.After more tests than I care to name, lol, the cardiovascular surgeon said it wasn't severe enough to replace. I'd just have to go get it checked every few years. It was over 40 years before I noticed any issues.

Bring this concern up with your doctor next time you see them. Best of luck and health to you!

[mad4cavs in reply to Dogmom419]

thank you for your reply i havent had any severe symptoms yet maybe getting tired quicker, i have an echo everyyear because of my scleroderma, buti have asked to be reviewed by cardiology

[PhilFreeToAsk]

The first Echo that I had, I did not tell the operator that I had radiotherapy around the heart area. Her first question to me was did I have radiotherapy as the results showed the effects of radiotherapy damage. Mine was 45 years ago before they detected a problem.

It takes experts to diagnose this.

[mad4cavs in reply to PhilFreeToAsk]

thank you i was just wondering if there was a link makes no difference really however it came about its here, i am grateful i survived my cancer and the nhs has been fantastic throughout my treatment and care,

[lifelover55]

Hi there. I had Hodgkins lymphoma in 1994 and extensive radiotherapy (what they now call a "lifetime dose"). I was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2010 which was as a result of the radiotherapy I had in 1994. In 2018 I was diagnosed with severe aortic stenosis but it was found that I had a bicuspid (instead of tricuspid) valve which predisposed me to aortic stenosis. I asked my cardiologists at the time if the stenosis was related to my many years prior radiotherapy and they assured me on several occasions that it was not due to radiotherapy.

I don't know if this is helpful to you but I thought I would share my story in case it helps.

I was cured of both the lymphoma and breast cancer. My aortic valve was replaced with an artificial (bio) valve.

Wishing you the best possible outcome.

[mad4cavs in reply to lifelover55]

ive read the stenosis could take 10-20yrs to develpop after radiation,i would have still have had my radiotherapy because triple negative cancer is the nastiest type, of breast cancer.

[PhilFreeToAsk]

If you mean a link between the radiotherapy and my aortic stenosis. Yes there is. My Cardiologist is reluctant to talk about it and is quite evasive or that is my impression. He just wants to deal with the issue. I have always been sensitive about the potential damage caused by the treatment as there was a reluctance by the medical profession to admit that damage could occur especially after such a long time . It was only through my request to see a specialist who told me that I should have regular colonoscopies as I have a heightened risk for bowel cancer. Fortunately early intervention has kept me from potential problems.

It is important for me to remember that I have been generally healthy all these years. My cardiologist is optimistic that replacement valves will solve any problems. If I could give advice to my younger self it would be don’t worry about this and just get on with your life, trust that help will arrive when you need it, be grateful for what you have.

[mad4cavs in reply to PhilFreeToAsk]

i try not to worry but its always there getting tired so easy,waking up short of breath,but i am very grateful for my life and all i have,

[Silvasava]

My DCM was linked to radiotherapy for BC

[mad4cavs in reply to Silvasava]

i really think mine is linked to i shall ask my cardiologist,not that it makesmuch differernce