Radiation to the chest (the mediastinal region)?

[mklc]

Has anyone had radiation to the chest area? Specifically the mediastinal region?

My radiation oncologist is going to do hypofractionated (which is a shorter course of radiation) course of radiotheraphy

My questions are:

1) have you had any side effects

2) was the radiation treatment successful

3) To complicate the treatment I have a PACEMAKER.

4) If anyone has a pacemaker, were you warned of any problems re the radiation?

My treatment will be 15 sessions in 3 weeks.

Thank you very much and good health to you all. Mike

[RoyCastleHelpline Partner Ask the Nurse Roy Castle]

Dear Mike

Welcome to the forum. I have placed a link here of our Radiotherapy booklet which may answer some of your questions: roycastle.org/app/uploads/2...

This link from Cancer Research UK provides information about your care of your pacemaker before and during your Radiotherapy: cancerresearchuk.org/about-...

The Radiotherapy teams are excellent and will explain everything as it happens, you could also discuss this with your lung cancer nurse specialist.

If you wish to discuss anything you can call us on our Freephone nurse led helpline number on 0800 358 7200

Kind regards

The Roy Castle Support Team

[mklc in reply to RoyCastleHelpline]

Thank you so much Roy

Very much appreciate

[Hidden]

Hi mklc,

I had a short course of radiotherapy to a mediastinal lymph node. My treatment was only 5 days, with treatment each day. I understand it was high dosage. It worked. The lymph node halved from 4cm diameter. But it’s not immediate. The reduction took about 6 weeks. It is also not permanent. 6 months later, the lymph node is starting to grow again.

Side effects were mainly tiredness. There was a time delay of a week or two, then the tiredness kicked in. A few days bed rest, and a build up to normal over a few weeks. No sensation, pain, problems of any kind in the treatment itself.

I have now had a second course of 5 day radiotherapy directed at the tumour in my lower left lobe. Same side effects. Same recovery. Too early to know if there are any benefits.

Hope this helps. Good luck with the treatment.

[mklc in reply to Hidden]

Good morning Tdoy,

Thank you so much for your kind reply and assurance.

I most sincerely wish you good results with the next treatment.

Sincere thanks.

Mike