severe aortic stenosis following radiotherapy for hodgkin's diseaseed for

[Guest]

Hi, I'm Jenny, I'm 41 and I live in Scotland. I am due to get AVR with a mechanical valve in Glasgow on October 26. It looks likely the stenosis was caused by radiotherapy I received for Hodgkin's Lymphoma in 1988 when I was 15. Anyone else in the same position, either pre or post-surgery? I was blissfully unaware of the stenosis or link to radiotherapy until I was diagnosed on August 12 after a couple of months of symptoms. Thanks in advance!

 

[Zoltania]

Hi Jenny,

It looks like no one reading here has experience with your particular situation, sorry. This must have been a big shock to you. At least you have had a little time to find out more about the surgery and about your options, and you've found the right place for general information on AVR surgery. Maybe there are forums for survivors of Hodgkin's where you could get more detailed information about the late effects of radiotherapy. I know that there is increasing attention to issues of survivorship (late treatment effects) these days since more and more people are living for many years after cancer treatment.

Good luck with your upcoming surgery, and let us know how it goes.

 

[dick0236]

Hi Jenny. Problems caused by Hodgkins radiation have been discussed here in the past. Try a "search" of Hodgkins disease to find a number of older posts. Aortic stenosis is a fairly common problem among those of us that have had valve replacements. I also was diagnosed with stenosis brought on by Rheumatic/scarlet fever which effectively destroyed my aortic valve. Replacement of that stenotic valve "fixed" the problem and effectively doubled my life expectancy. To get such a diagnosis had to be a shock to you but you will find that many, many have successfully gone thru it and continue to live very good lives.