Can left breast radiation cause heart problems?

Years ago, researchers discovered that many patients who underwent radiation therapy to the left breast later developed heart conditions, including pericardial disease, conduction abnormalities, coronary artery disease, congestive heart disease, heart valve disease and even sudden cardiac death.

What does Quantec stand for?

Quantitative Analysis of Normal Tissue Effects in the Clinic (QUANTEC)

Does lung radiation affect heart?

Radiation therapy aimed at the chest region for breast cancer or lung cancer, for example, can prompt a thickening of the blood vessels and heart valves, inflammation, and artery blockages. Heart problems due to radiation often impact younger people, too.

Can radiation cause fluid around the heart?

The heart is sensitive to radiation. One side effect of radiotherapy to the heart is pericardial effusion. This is when fluid builds up around the heart. This can cause breathlessness.

What are the long term effects of breast radiation?

Long-term side effects can include: Breast changes: The breasts may shrink or become more dense after radiation. Some women have reported problems breastfeeding. Brachial plexopathy: Radiation to the breast or chest wall can sometimes damage the nerves that run through the arm, wrist, and hand.

Does radiation weaken the heart?

Radiation therapy can cause heart attack, heart failure, and arrhythmias. Traditional and novel chemotherapy agents can damage the heart or peripheral blood vessels, or cause problems with clotting or blood lipids.

What is radiation heart disease?

Radiation-induced heart disease (RIHD) comprises a spectrum of cardiac pathology including myocardial fibrosis and cardiomyopathy, coronary artery disease, valvular disease, pericardial disease, and arrhythmias. Tissue fibrosis is a common mediator in RIHD.

How long can a person live with fluid around the heart?

In chronic cases, it can last for more than 3 months. Some people with pericardial effusion may not show any symptoms, and doctors may discover the condition by chance — for example, if they notice fluid around the heart spaces in medical imaging that they have conducted for a different purpose.

What does fluid around heart feel like?

Fluid around the heart symptoms a feeling of “fullness” in your chest. discomfort when you lie down. shortness of breath (dyspnea) difficulty breathing.

Does radiation treatment affect your heart?

Radiation therapy used in cancer treatment can cause problems in the heart and vascular (circulation) system. This effect is called cardiotoxicity. Cardiotoxicity can develop within days or months after radiation but often develops years later.

Does a mastectomy shorten your life?

81.2% of women who had double mastectomy were alive 10 years after diagnosis. 79.9% of women who had single mastectomy were alive 10 years after diagnosis.

How can you protect your heart from radiation?

This is called Deep Inspiration Breath Hold, or DIBH. DIBH will protect your heart during treatment. Then, during treatment, you’ll take and hold a deep breath in the same way as before. When your breast surface is at the right position, the display lights turn green and the SGRT system turns the radiation beam on.