Breast Cancer Radiation Doses Once Considered Safe Cause Later Problems Radiation doses that seem safe in breast cancer patients, even at five years, can lead to complications later in life. Use of large daily fractions, combined with hotspots from overlapping fields, have caused complications such as fibrosis, edema, brachial plexus neuropathy and paralysis, Swedish researchers report. The investigators from Umea Hospital and the Translational Research Group in Umea retrospectively analysed the clinical records of 150 breast cancer patients followed for 34 years. They had been treated with radiotherapy following mastectomy to the parasternal, axillary and supraclavicular lymph node regions in the mid- to late-1960s. None had had chemotherapy. Patients were divided into three groups according to the prescribed radiotherapy dose they received. Researchers recalculated for changes in radiotherapy made in the early 1970s. They also converted earlier units into the equivalent dose in 2-Gy fractions so they could plot dose-response relationships. "Clear dose-response curves were seen for late radiation injuries," investigators concluded. "Incidence seen at five years did not represent the full spectrum of injuries." [05/17/2002; Doctor's Guide] Brit Med J, 2/03 Cancer, 3/03 Eur J Cancer Suppl, 3/04 Abstract #291 Euro J Cancer, Supp Vol 2 No 3, p 64 Abstract # 563 ASCO, 2004 Persistence of RTx-induced Cardiac Perfusion 3-5 Yrs Later JNCI, 3/16/05 RTX for Breast Cancer: Editorial w/article Remember we are NOT Doctors and have NO medical training. This site is like an Encylopedia - there are many pages, many links on many topics. Support our work with any size DONATION - see left side of any page - for how to donate. You can help raise awareness of CAM.