Hi
I had a straight forward lumpectomy (clear margins and clear lymph nodes). 5 doses of radiotherapy and taking anastrozole. The breast which had the lumpectomy is still bruised and tender 11 months after surgery and 7 months after radiotherapy. Is this normal? Could it be a build up of fluid?
Thanks
Are there visible bruises? Seems a long time after for that. I have had some breast oedema since radiotherapy back last August, still there but less so, been doing twice daily massages since radiotherapy - I think everyone should be told to do this. Could it be that? Clear signs are thickened skin with more visible pores like orange skin and ridges that form. If you wear a bra with seams, the indentations can be seen a long time after taking it off. Conact your BCN, they can refer you to a physiotherapist who will advise you of tactics to improve it.
If it looks like visible bruising, it could be the blue dye they often use as a tracer to the sentinel node intra op, which I believe can hang around for a long time after, but is harmless.
Hi yogi1
Thanks for posting
Immediately after surgery for breast cancer and in the weeks that follow, it’s common to feel some pain and discomfort .You may have experienced different sensations such as a burning feeling and numbness in the scar area and under the arm. Pain and discomfort may also be a side effect of radiotherapy treatment.
As healing takes place, these effects usually subside. For most people this happens within a few months. However, for some, as you describe, they can persist, and we know this can affect quality of life.
Ongoing (chronic) or persistent pain may have different causes including scar tissue, and damage to the nerves, particularly those in the axilla (underarm). There are different ways of controlling this pain which are described in the link.
Some people benefit from specialist advice so your doctor may refer you to an NHS pain clinic. And some hospitals run pain management programmes.
As @entropy suggests, if you had a sentinel node biopsy it is possible the discolouration you describe is linked to the blue dye which may have been used.
If you are still under the care of the hospital, you can talk to your treatment team as they have all the information about your individual surgery. They can provide you with information about possible causes of the bruising and tenderness you describe, including whether there is a buildup of fluid, and suggest what might help. You can contact you breast care nurse to arrange an appointment. If you have been discharged from the hospital you can make an appointment to see your GP.
We offer a range of free supportive services for anyone who has had a diagnosis of breast cancer which you may be interested in. They include face to face and online courses and events.
You may be interested in our Moving Forward resources that are for people who have had a diagnosis of primary breast cancer and have come to the end of their main hospital treatment within the last 2 years. They include our Moving Forward booklet and Moving Forward courses.
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