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
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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.
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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
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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.
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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
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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
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