Post-Radiation Left Brachial Plexopathy

In 1989, following the birth of triplets, Lisa noticed a hard lump on her left breast. The mother of four was unfortunately diagnosed with breast cancer, and at the age of 35 she underwent a subcutaneous mastectomy.

After the operation Lisa was treated with radiotherapy. She was given a particularly high dose which, although considered normal in the late 1980s, is now deemed unacceptable. Furthermore, Lisa’s axillary nodes were also treated with radiation, even though they were known not to be cancerous.

By 1994, five years after receiving radiotherapy, Lisa started to become increasingly breathless. Chest x-rays showed that she had developed loss of volume in the left lung, a symptom compatible with radiation. In 1995 Lisa was discovered to have rib fractures, which were again thought to be due to radiation.

Then in 2003 Lisa started to develop problems with her shoulders and arms. She was given steroid injections, but the pain worsened and eventually forced her to give up her job as a school librarian. By 2006 Lisa had persistent pain and stiffness in her shoulder, and paraesthesia (numbness and tingling) in her hand. Lisa consulted an orthopaedic surgeon, who noted that her shoulder blade had moved superiorly.

In 2007 Lisa attended an outpatient’s appointment, and it was confirmed she had indeed been over irradiated. A subsequent MRI scan revealed she was suffering post radiation left brachial plexopathy. This is a condition that affects the nerves in the shoulder, inducing the feeling of a heavy arm with the regular sensation of pins and needles.

Consequently Lisa has difficultly using her left arm, even with the simplest of tasks, and becomes breathless even after light exertion. She can no longer work, is unable to complete household chores, and has had to change her car from a manual to an automatic. It is unlikely that her symptoms will be resolved.

We instructed a specialist on behalf of Lisa, who established she had suffered a radiation related injury. It was agreed Lisa had been treated with a dose that was too high, and the field of radiation was too wide (in that her nodal areas were treated even though she only had a micro invasive disease). As a result of this negligent treatment Lisa developed brachial plexopathy, a disability she continues to suffer from. We settled Lisa’s claim for damages, and she was awarded £60,000 compensation.

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