Active lesion in sternum-possible radiation to come

[Fight2016]

So I have always had a lesion in sternum that they felt was a Mets lesion. The scans last week show that it is “active.” We will be discussing possible radiation in my visit this week to treat that lesion. Has anyone had this happen? What was the targeted radiation like? Any problems with the heart? (Since the sternum is so close)

[Cowgirl1951]

I had 3 radiation treatments to my sternum Oct 2020. The only side effect was fatigue for about a month. Good luck with your treatment.

[luckysmom13]

I had a short course of radiation to a met in my sacrum about 2 years ago. No side effects bc SBRT is very closely targeted.

[Beryl71]

I had radiation to my breast and upper quartile 27 years ago when things were less advanced and had no problems other than tiredness.

[Kdiet]

I had radiation for several lesions in my sternum in November, 2019. I am now cancer free there and all is clear.

[JustmeMary]

I had 5 treatments of radiation on my sternum and T8 on my spine in August 2020. No side effects. So far so good - NED.

[Lizannern]

I was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer to the sternum in 2018. I had breast cancer in 2006. Pain was severe. I could not lay down for two months had to sit up for two months. I had 22 radiation treatments and pain finally went away. No heart problems. My oncologist said my sternum looked like Swiss cheese. I am now doing well. Blood work every month and CT scans every 6. I was on Ibrance for 2 years with letrozole. Now just on letrodzole. Wish you the best.

[love2golfwell]

I have not had radiation to the sternum but have had 2 sets of 5 treatments each of targeted radiation to 2 other lesions. The treatments were very quick and did not really cause side effects. I would have a good discussion with the radiation oncologist to ask about any problems you might have after these treatments. Best wishes to you.

[peggylz]

I had radiation to my sternum in April of this year. No real problems except for some acid reflex afterwards that lasted for about two weeks or so. Good luck!

[Misha2019]

Hi, I had my sternum and part of my ribs removed. I was diagnosed in 2014 and the cancer was very aggressive (didn’t respond to chemo and I had febrile neutropenia several times, atypical pneumonia etc.) I had a mastectomy after a few chemo treatments and then continued with chemo and radiation until the summer of 2015. In February 2016, I had surgery to “clean out” the chest area. I had pain and the skin must have looked red. It’s a bit of a blur. The surgeon said that all was clear, except for a small spot on my sternum.

I started reading about mbc to the sternum and saw that a woman from Israel had travelled to the U.S. to have her sternum removed. The doctors didn’t want to do it. They thought it was a small dot of cancer and I guess were worried about the risks of surgery and one doctor on the team apparently referred to a study that showed that outcomes weren’t good.

In May 2016, I went to the ER, probably due to pain, red skin. Then in June, I saw the surgeon and she booked me in for another surgery to clean out the area. She discovered cancer through the sternum, some ribs and couldn’t remove it, but talked to another surgeon (Dr. Villeneuve in Ottawa) who quickly put together a team and did the surgery (about 9 hours). I did get a chest infection a week or two later, but the IV antibiotics worked.

I am still here and grateful for this. My daughter and son are now 13 and 10. I just had a scan that showed no areas of concern.

I read that there have been good results where the cancer has only spread to the sternum. There are lymph nodes behind the sternum, so the cancer might get there more directly I think.

I would be happy to talk with you anytime.

[13plus]

Gee I'm surprised so many have had radiation to the sternum, but was it for the pain? I've got some slight damage to joint attached to the manubrium (the top of the sternum), that's been there since 2018, it was only sometimes slightly painful. I started the Ibrance which I took for 3 years. Over that time the "highlighting" in that area on my scans seemed to come and go a bit (mine is mostly in the pelvis). My oncologist doesn't like to use radiation unless there's worsening pain, or risk of more damage. I feel fine in the sternum area still after 3 years. You don't mention pain, so if you don't have discomfort I would question the value of getting rads. If the bone is badly compromised then that would be a valid reason. Just remember you can only get so much radiation in total so it is best reserved for the most urgent needs.

[Bettybuckets in reply to 13plus]

Thank you for pointing that out as I always wondered what are they waiting for. But makes sense to wait for urgent needs!

[Karen2235]

Yes, I had an aggressive tumour on my sternum and had intensive radiation treatment - 10 sessions in one week (twice a day). By the last day I was very fatigued and that lasted a few days but the results were excellent. The tumour which was visibly apparent shrank away and now, 5 months later is still gone. However, because of other health issues that is, scoliosis, I became more breathless and that is something I have to monitor. It seems related to some of the medications and , with age, a hardening of the rib cage.