For the past few days my right breast ( the one that had the cancer) has been swelling up. Now it is noticeable bigger than the other one.It is not hot or painful. Is this lymphodoema or could it be something else? I am away on holiday in Australia. I would see a doctor if it could be anything bad and it wouldnt cost a lot but dont have travel insurance cover for cancer related medical care.If it is lymphodoema is there anything they could do?
I had a lump removed and 9 lymph nodes followed by radiotherapy that finished at the end of October.
Hi ladysue,
I finished rads the same time as you.
I have had noticeable swelling in my WLE operated breast (above the incision) which my surgeon has said is lymphoedema and my oncologist says is irritation to the deeper tissue caused by the rads. Either way the skin above it looks slightly dimpled but more noticably it tends to deform if it is pushed or squeezed for a longish period of time. This is especially noticeable if I have been lying on it awkwardly while I sleep, or on one occasion wearing a bra which turned out to be a little too tight. In all cases the breast regained it’s ‘normal’ shape within a couple of hours. If you are experiencing anything similiar than it may be lymphoedema, but you will need to see your surgeon/onc for confirmation.
Cherry xx
Hi, I had WLE last yr and finished rads in august.
My breast became tender in nov, and after a week i noticed it had swelled, but was not red or hard.
I got an appt to see my surgeon the next day, and she arranged a scan and mammo, (I was due for my first annual check anyway)
The lady who scanned me said it was general fluid like lymphoedema, but when i next saw my surgeon, this was not mentioned as she was more focussed on an area where the tumour was removed from, this area feels a little firmer and there is discoloured skin and a bit dimply too. After a small needle aspiration, i was told this was fat necrosis, and they dont need to follow me up for another 12 months.
However my breast is still noticeably bigger than my other side.
Hi, I had WLE last yr and finished rads in august.
My breast became tender in nov, and after a week i noticed it had swelled, but was not red or hard.
I got an appt to see my surgeon the next day, and she arranged a scan and mammo, (I was due for my first annual check anyway)
The lady who scanned me said it was general fluid like lymphoedema, but when i next saw my surgeon, this was not mentioned as she was more focussed on an area where the tumour was removed from, this area feels a little firmer and there is discoloured skin and a bit dimply too. After a small needle aspiration, i was told this was fat necrosis, and they dont need to follow me up for another 12 months.
However my breast is still noticeably bigger than my other side.
Ive just had three weeks of daily treatment for lymphodema in my affected breast. Like you Id had quite a few lymph nodes removed.
My therapist recommended that I should wear a sports bra. Theres a range in Target (which I understand you can find in Australia, Im in the USA)by Champion. Its called C9, is cheap and comes in a range of colours. The idea is it slightly compresses the breast and doesnt constrict round the band like a normal bra.Or any sports bra will do. The conclusion Ive come to about the experts, surgeon,onc etc is theyre all looking for different things as a result of the particular part of the treatment theyve given you and may not be experts in each others fields. If you can get lymphatic drainage massage from a specially trained nurse, that is the treatment.
THank you all for your comments. It is the whole breast that is swollen and so I guess, from what you have all said, that it is lymphodoema. I will see if I can get a sports bra while I am over here as I may need something tight to wear on the flight home.I am a big lady though so may not be able to get one in my size.I was given a sleeve to prevent me getting lymphodoema on the flight here. I havent got any swelling in my arm though.