Beyond the general initial side effects such as skin irritation and fatigue (amongst others), the impacts of radiation therapy can take months to appear and can even continue to progress for several years (1, 2)! This is why I call radiation therapy “the gift that keeps on giving.”
Although radiation therapy can be very effective at treating cancer cells, its long-term side effects are the unfortunate “gift” that few people are prepared for and none of us want. Radiation fibrosis syndrome (RFS) is one of these side effects and the topic of this blog.
Though we can’t stop RFS from happening, understanding what it is, what to look out for and what you can do to improve these symptoms will put you in a better position to keep the impact to a minimum.
What is Radiation Therapy?
Radiation therapy (also called radiotherapy) is a form of cancer treatment that uses high doses of radiation to kill cancer cells (3). The type of radiation therapy used will depend on several factors, including the type of cancer:
External Beam Radiation
Radiation is delivered to a region of the body from the outside via a machine that moves around you.
Internal Beam
Radiation is put inside the body via either a solid source (called brachytherapy – use of seeds, ribbons, capsules) or a liquid source (via swallowing, IV line or injection).
What is Radiation Fibrosis Syndrome (RFS)?
Radiation fibrosis syndrome is a long-term side effect of external beam radiation and some forms of brachytherapy. In general, it causes an excessive formation of fibrous connective tissue in any of the tissues where radiation was delivered (called the radiation field).
Though the specific process is quite complicated to explain in this article, think of RFS as “wound healing gone wild.” In other words, the impacted tissues go through an excessive and prolonged inflammatory process that eventually creates tissue thickening/loss of flexibility, reduced blood supply, and tissue scarring. These tissue changes typically only begin 4-12 months after radiation therapy is complete, and can progress over several years (1, 2, 4).
Who’s at Risk of Developing RFS?
Since the development of RFS is dependent on many factors, the number of people living with RFS is different across cancer types. For example, the literature shows that following radiation therapy, approximately 10-23% of breast cancer survivors, 34% of head & neck cancer survivors, and 97% of cervical cancer survivors will experience RIF (5, 6, 7).
Factors that influence the risk of developing RFS can be divided into treatment-related and patient-related:
Treatment-related factors that increase Radiation Fibrosis Syndrome (RFS) risk (1, 5):
- Increased radiation dose & fewer fractions (called “hypofractionation”)
- Larger amount of tissue treated (called “field size”)
- Longer therapy regime
- Concurrent use of chemotherapy
- Surgery close to the time radiation is received (either before or after)
Person-related factors that increase RFS risk (1):
- Pre-existing connective tissue diseases (e.g. systemic scleroderma, systemic lupus erythematosus, Marfan syndrome)
- Certain genetic variants (e.g. in breast cancer, the genetic variant in the ATM (ataxia-telangiectasis mutated) gene has been linked to a greater risk of developing RIF)
Though we can’t control the above risk factors, it can be helpful to identify your risk level so you can be ready to identify RFS early (if and when it happens) and get the help you need to minimize its impact.
Signs You May Have Radiation Fibrosis Syndrome
By now I’m sure it’s no surprise to you that RFS can have a tremendous impact on how you feel and move. It often causes (4):
- A loss of joint mobility
- Pain
- Muscle weakness
- Lymphedema
- Slowed wound healing
Also, depending on the specific area of the body that received radiation, RFS can lead to the following (1):
| Area of Radiation Treatment: | Side Effect |
|---|---|
|
Head & Neck |
|
|
Breast, Chest or Lung |
|
|
Treatment for Radiation Fibrosis Syndrome
It’s beyond the scope of this article to outline all the RFS treatment trials in the literature. The research is ongoing, but the overarching agreement is that there is no cure for RFS and that treatment is aimed at diminishing symptoms and improving overall function and quality of life.
In the case of physiotherapy, some research has shown that education, exercise (8) and manual therapy (especially tissue distraction techniques) have the potential to improve quality of life, joint mobility, muscle strength, posture, and fibrotic tissue mobility (8, 9). My online Breast Cancer Recovery Program offers progressive and comprehensive recovery exercises that are a key component of managing the impact of radiation fibrosis syndrome. Learn more here about this self-paced program.
5 Things YOU Can Do for Radiation Fibrosis Treatment
Deep Breathing
If RIF has impacted your chest, abdomen, pelvis or even neck, diaphragmatic breathing practices can help. The movements required of your body to breathe diaphragmatically help to encourage your tissues to “slide and glide” during this process. Take a look at this video to get started.
- Daily Purposeful Movement
In case you haven’t heard me say it enough, Movement is Medicine! Moving your body with awareness, in a way that is both enjoyable and purposeful for the impacted area, is absolutely crucial for encouraging your tissues to move more freely.
- Self Tissue Massage
Regular self-massage to the impacted tissues can be very helpful. Try placing your palm or fingers (if it’s a small area) over the area and gently stretch/move the tissues in a circular formation.
- The Breast Cancer Recovery Program
My online Breast Cancer Recovery Program offers progressive and comprehensive recovery exercises that are a key component to reducing the impact of radiation fibrosis syndrome. This self-paced program can be done from the comfort of your own home. Learn more here
- Cancer Rehab Physiotherapy
If you would like help learning the right exercises for you and/or how to perform other self-massage techniques at home, consider seeking out the help of a cancer rehab physiotherapist near you. If you live in Ontario, Canada contact me directly.
Disclaimer – These blogs are for general information purposes only. Medical information changes daily, so information contained within these blogs may become outdated over time. In addition, please be aware that the information contained in these blogs is not intended as a substitute for medical advice or treatment and you should always consult a licensed health care professional for advice specific to your treatment or condition. Any reliance you place on this information is therefore strictly at your own risk.
References
- Straub, J. M., New, J., Hamilton, C. D., Lominska, C., Shnayder, Y., & Thomas, S. M. (2015). Radiation-induced fibrosis: mechanisms and implications for therapy. Journal of cancer research and clinical oncology, 141(11), 1985–1994. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00432-015-1974-6
- Keskikuru, R., Jukkola, A., Nuutinen, J., Kataja, V., Risteli, J., Autio, P., & Lahtinen, T. (2004). Radiation-induced changes in skin type I and III collagen synthesis during and after conventionally fractionated radiotherapy. Radiotherapy and oncology : journal of the European Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology, 70(3), 243–248. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.radonc.2003.11.014
- Website: https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/types/radiation-therapy
- Nogueira, R., Vital, F., Bernabé, D. G., & Carvalho, M. B. (2022). Interventions for Radiation-Induced Fibrosis in Patients With Breast Cancer: Systematic Review and Meta-analyses. Advances in radiation oncology, 7(3), 100912. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.adro.2022.100912
- Williams, N. R., Williams, S., Kanapathy, M., Naderi, N., Vavourakis, V., & Mosahebi, A. (2019). Radiation-induced fibrosis in breast cancer: A protocol for an observational cross-sectional pilot study for personalised risk estimation and objective assessment. International journal of surgery protocols, 14, 9–13. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.isjp.2019.02.002
- Ramia, P., Bodgi, L., Mahmoud, D., Mohammad, M. A., Youssef, B., Kopek, N., Al-Shamsi, H., Dagher, M., & Abu-Gheida, I. (2022). Radiation-Induced Fibrosis in Patients with Head and Neck Cancer: A Review of Pathogenesis and Clinical Outcomes. Clinical Medicine Insights: Oncology. https://doi.org/10.1177/11795549211036898
- Hofsjö, A., Bohm-Starke, N., Blomgren, B., Jahren, H., Steineck, G., & Bergmark, K. (2017). Radiotherapy-induced vaginal fibrosis in cervical cancer survivors. Acta oncologica (Stockholm, Sweden), 56(5), 661–666. https://doi.org/10.1080/0284186X.2016.1275778
- Oliveira MMF, Gurgel MSC, Miranda MS, et al. (2009) Efficacy of shoulder exercises on locoregional complications in women undergoing radiotherapy for breast cancer. Clinical trial. Rev Bras Fisioter. 13, 36-143.
- Hojan, K., & Milecki, P. (2013). Opportunities for rehabilitation of patients with radiation fibrosis syndrome. Reports of practical oncology and radiotherapy : journal of Greatpoland Cancer Center in Poznan and Polish Society of Radiation Oncology, 19(1), 1–6. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rpor.2013.07.007
