Post radiotherapy pain

Hello

Sorry to hear about your post-radiotherapy pain. I had SABR treatment for a NSCLC, and finished my treatment about 16 month's ago. Unfortunately pain and possible rib fractures are one of the late onset side effects of radiotherapy especially if the cancer is close to the chest wall. I have one small area where the SABR was targeted that is tender to touch, and if I use my left arm too much I also get pain, so it is quite normal. Subsequent CT scan follow ups have not shown any rib fractures, but I have scar tissue there. My lung cancer was very close to the chest wall.

I also had the conventional radiotherapy for right sided breast cancer 35 year's ago and, following surgery, I had 35 sessions of the conventional radiotherapy (SABR did not exist then) and, to be entirely honest, I still have discomfort now and again in my rib cage in the area close to my surgical site and radiating to my sternum, but it is only brought on if I carry heavy shopping or vigorous gardening etc., and 99% of the time it is fine.  Subsequent X-rays and CT scans have shown that I have a small area in the upper part of my right lung that has radiation fibrosis, it is where the radiotherapy has damaged blood vessels and tissues causing inflammation and eventually forms fibrotic tissue. One of the good things about SABR is, unlike conventional radiotherapy, SABR is targeted and does not affect surrounding organs or tissues.

I have learnt to live with the right sided discomfort over the years and I will do the same for the left side, a couple of Ibuprofen on my "tender days" sees me as right as rain. I consider it a small price to pay. 

Best wishes.

Ann