ask: If I'm being treated for pulmonary emboli, is it safe to undergo radiotherapy?
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Anonymous
October 5, 2010 - 1:17am
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I developed acute right pulmonary emboli after mastectomy and axilliary node removal for infiltrating lobular carcinoma in my left breast and am currently on 2mg warfarin daily. I have seen 2 oncologists, one advised that I should not go for radiotherapy because of possible further damage to my lungs following the pulmonary emboli, the other has advised that radiotherapy is safe even with the pulmonary emboli.
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Anon - Thanks for your question. I'm sorry to hear you're dealing with the additional complications of pulmonary emboli and that you're getting conflicting information from your oncologists.
In reviewing various reports about the effect of radiation on the lungs, I found conflicting information too. This led me to wonder how your pulmonary issues are being treated. Are you under the care of a pulmonologist, or is an oncologist providing your treatment? A pulmonologist is going to be better trained and prepared to help you in assessing and understanding the risks to your lungs in having radiation therapy right now. If you can get an opinion or a consult from an experienced pulmonologist I think it will help you in ensuring that you are getting the right care for your immediate concerns with your lungs and also getting informed information to make a decision about radiotherapy. I hope this helps, and wish you the best. Pat
October 5, 2010 - 5:38pmThis Comment