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Breast Cancer/radiation side effects

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Expert: - 9/14/2005


Question
Hello.  I have early stage DCIS; lumpectomy in July. Started radiation, 10 down with 21 to go.  I'm experiencing some afternoon fatigue but more troublesome is a shortness of breath.  It is similiar to the feeling at 9 months pregnancy when it is hard to breathe freely. Is this part of the fatigue?

Answer
It is most probably due to some inflammation in your airways and some of your pulmonary tissues. It is due to the radiation and very common. You can regard it as a kind of "internal sunburn" and that is really what it is since it is caused by the radiation. It will pass but it will take some time after the radiation has been finished. It is so common that you should have - in my opinion - been informed about it at the beginning of the treatment.

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Claes-Gustaf Nordquist, M.D.

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I`m a doctor of medicine and a specialist in radiation therapy and medical oncology. I have long experience in diagnostics and treatment of breast tumours.

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I'm a Doctor of Medicine and specialist in Medical Oncology and Radiation Therapy educated & trained in Sweden. Now retired. Background in Radiation Therapy, Medical Oncology, Radiation Protection, Nuclear Medicine, Diagnostic Radiology, Gynecological Oncology, Clinical Pathology, Clinical Cytology,Hematology and Internal Medicine. M.D. from the faculty of medicine, Royal Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden. Have also been an exchange student at the Hebrew University, Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem Israel. Former medical consultant, Swedish National Board of Radiation Protection. Former Police Surgeon and Medical Examiner, Stockholm Police Department. Former Chief Medical Officer, The Royal Guards, The Royal Horse Guards and the Royal Household Brigade, Royal Swedish Army Medical Corps.You can also reach me on: http://www.lifestylerescue.com/expert/health-fitness-advice/dr-claes-gustaf/128 I have no restrictions on the number of questions there.

I also answer questions about Oncology (General Cancer), General History, Military History, Brain Tumors, Colon Cancer

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I'm a medical doctor and specialist in medical oncology and radiation therapy.

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