Myeloma- Radiation Fibrosis Syndrome

Radiation fibrosis syndrome describes the myriad clinical manifestations of progressive fibrotic tissue sclerosis resulting from radiation treatment.

I was diagnosed with multiple myeloma in 2/94. I underwent radiation three times over the next four years. I developed an uncommon multiple myeloma side effect called radiation fibrosis syndrome in my neck and lower back and my iliac crest.

Scarring caused by radiation therapy caused multiple myeloma side effects or long-term problems to my health in several ways. I experienced dry mouth (xerostomia), dysphagia (difficulty swallowing) and radiation-induced limbo-sacral plexopathy (difficulty walking).

The exchange below is from a head and neck cancer survivor asking about radiation damage to her neck and lower jaw. You can read that Sarah’s head and neck cancer long-term side effects are essentially the same as my multiple myeloma side effects.

Hi David- I had radiation treatment for tongue cancer March 2016, including radiation to the neck area and lower face. also had 23 lymph nodes removed from my neck. I then underwent 6 weeks of radiation and now I am horrified to read about radiation fibrosis syndrome.

Is there anything that I can do to prevent getting this horrible long-term side effect? I am freaking out about it all. As if radiation wasn’t enough with no saliva, ulcers, thrush, tooth problems etc. I did a bit of physio post surgery and try to keep active. thank you. Sarah

Sarah-

While I understand your initial desire to freak out, you will be happier and healthier in the long-run if you learn about possible therapies and try to set about undergoing each one day at a time.

The research is hazy about actually healing radiation fibrosis but I will link therapies below. These are therapies that I do and that have helped me with my own radiation-fibrosis syndrome.

1) Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) – this is probably your best hope for healing radiation damage to your body–

2) Re radiation to your neck- I too had radiation to my neck and began to notice difficulty swallowing. This is called dysphagia-

3) The Shaker Exercise- I encourage you to add this exercise to your daily routine. I could do only about 20 neck sit-ups when I first started. Now I can do sit-ups at various angles, and complete more than 100 each angle, each session.

4) Saliva- I too had dry mouth caused by radiation. This side effect is called xerostomia. I read this article about acupuncture to heal xerostomia and I found an acupuncturist. My dry mouth improved measurably after about six weeks of therapy.

If you would like to talk more I am a multiple myeloma survivor and MM coach. Let me know if you have any questions.

David Emerson

MM Survivor
MM Coach
Director PeopleBeatingCancer

Pathophysiology of Radiation-Induced Dysphagia in Head and Neck Cancer

“Oncologic treatments, such as curative radiotherapy and chemoradiation, for head and neck cancer can cause long-term swallowing impairments (dysphagia) that negatively impact quality of life.

Radiation-induced dysphagia is comprised of a broad spectrum of structural, mechanical, and neurologic deficits. An understanding of the biomolecular effects of radiation on the time course of wound healing and underlying morphological tissue responses that precede radiation damage will improve options available for dysphagia treatment.

The goal of this review is to discuss the pathophysiology of radiation-induced injury and elucidate areas that need further exploration…”

Acupuncture Helps Swallowing Research

“New research published in the Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine concludes that acupuncture has potential “therapeutic effects and long-term efficacy for neurogenic dysphagia.”

Dysphagia is a medical term for difficulty with swallowing. Neurological dysphagia is due to disorders of the nervous system. Signs and symptoms include difficulty with food control in the mouth, difficulty initiating swallowing, choking, coughing, nasal regurgitation and a feeling of food getting stuck in the throat…”

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Myeloma- Radiation Fibrosis Syndrome

Radiation fibrosis syndrome describes the myriad clinical manifestations of progressive fibrotic tissue sclerosis resulting from radiation treatment.

Recommended Reading:

Pathophysiology of Radiation-Induced Dysphagia in Head and Neck Cancer

Acupuncture Helps Swallowing Research

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