I have adhesions where my skin is attached to my chest wall following a mastectomy and radiotherapy. This has lead to tightness and I have a what looks like a sausage shape between the top adhesion and a lower adhesion. My breast surgeon has said that releasing the skin may lead to bad healing of the breast skin has anyone had experience of this
problem. I am finding this quite difficult and emotional over the situation.
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I do have them after mascectomy.
Hi I initially had a lumpectomy, which initially was successful although I did from the day of being diagnosed request a mastectomy but as I was 35 I was met with a lot of resistance to this. Anyway after radiotherapy around 4 months later I developed an abscess had several surgeries and a dose of sepsis before finally having agreement to have my breast removed and DIEP flap reconstruction, this was in 2022 and to be honest I have several adhesions which are restrictive, uncomfortable and sometimes painful kind of like cramps I try to keep everything moving, I believe massage helps but unfortunately I find it difficult to massage my scars and skin around my reconstructed breast. Its not great and I realise I’ve offloaded my rubbish but please don’t feel alone xxxx
Can you see a plastic surgeon? I had a DMX with DIEP reconstruction and was told by my PS that he would fix some of this later. I have two areas that could be adhesions or fat buildup and do not want to think it’s a lump for years to come. In fact, that is how I missed my cancer this time. I had a lump in my scar tissue from my first cancer and just thought it was normal. Screening missed it for years.
Hello Mousely. I had lumpectomy & radiotherapy just over 10 yrs ago. Unfortunately my cancer returned & I had a single mastectomy. I later had an infection & cellulitis. Lymphodema then followed for a while. My surgery was Nov 23 & I still have cording in my armpit & am tight across my chest, especially in the afternoons. Do you still do the exercises every day post surgery? I find this helps plus I massage every day for a few minutes. I did see a physio who said she could do some tissue massage that could release things a bit. I have not pursued this yet. Not sure if the above helps you as not aware of your full story but wishing you all the very best x
Thank you for your advice. I had radiotherapy and whilst undergoing this treatment the results of a pet scan showed cancer in one of the lymph nodes near the chest wall. I then had surgery to remove the lymph node about 5/6 weeks after finishing the radiotherapy, so I think this may have not helped the scar healing.
I am doing arm exercises I was shown by a physiotherapist and today got some organic massage lotion and will start massaging the scar and adhesion area . Surgeon said the skin would be too fragile and would not possibly heal after any surgery to release the adhesions.
Sounds like you are doing all the right things Mousely. How long since your last surgery? Radiotherapy can cause quite a few problems after treatment has long finished. I couldn’t have an implant due to Radiotherapy tissue damage ie fibrosis. I had my radio 10 years ago & following mastectomy Nov 23, this seemed to mess things up for me recovery wise. See how you go with the moisturising & if things dont improve after a couple of months, perhaps consider asking your BC Team for advice x
I had the last surgery in July 2022, Mastectomy was in October 2021. I do have lung scaring from the radiotherapy too, which causes breathlessness when walking etc. I will try the massaging and arm stretching to the adhesions as will do no harm to try to help .
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That sounds like a good plan & in a few months perhaps contact your BC Team if things dont improve. Maybe they can do a referral to a physio who is experienced in BC patients & the after effects of surgery & radiotherapy. All the very best Mousely x