Why do l sweat from armpit after removal of lymph nodes.

[Tilly101]

Can you help please.Following lumpectomy 2 years ago and removal of 2 lymph nodes the armpit is always damp and smells strongly of body odour which is very embarrassing as l have never had body odour even when a teenager.

Is this normal please.

Thank you.

[mathematics]

I have had total lymph node clearance on my one side and to be honest never noticed sweaty arm pits or smell. So sorry cannot comment if it is normal. I know I have trouble with my arm swelling or lymphedema, so I have to do exercises and massage my arm daily to distribute the flow of the lymph and I also rub in a lot of moisturizer as well. Take care

[Tilly101 in reply to mathematics]

Thank you for that .It's the putrid smell that concerns me the most ,is it infection or whatever?

I mentioned to my GP but he didn't take it seriously .

My arm isn't noticeably swollen however, my torso is very bloated.

I wish you well in your recovery and thank you for taking the time to reply to me it is very much appreciated.

You

[mathematics in reply to Tilly101]

Thank you

[Cu4281 in reply to Tilly101]

You can get Lymphedema in your back. It generally affects your arms, but it can affect you your back. Treatment is massage and exercises. I believe it can be managed but never goes away. Losing weight can help. I have it on my right back side were I had lymph nodes removed. I had a special massage therapist that did light touch massage that drains the nodes and keeps the fluids moving. I do it myself now and I have a few exercises that I do for the areas I can not reach.

Take care

[Tilly101 in reply to Cu4281]

Thank you for explaining that for me.The fat/swelling is the complete torso as you say around the back it looks like have breasts under my armpits.I feel ashamed to complain about it as l am grateful to be still alive 2 years later.

I wake up during the night with my back and chest soaked in perspiration too.

Keep well and thank you.

[Sadiedog12]

Hello Tilly,

I have had the same problems with sweating after treatment ( Surgery, chemo, radiation, etc Like you I never used to perspire at all ever, but now it happens regularly particularly during the night. I wouldn’t call the smell from my armpits as ‘putrid ‘ though just the normal fresh sweat smell. I just have more showers as I understand that sweat itself has no smell, it’s after it lies on the surface of the skin that it can smell and I use an antiperspirant now too. It is definitely annoying though and I sympathise.

[Tilly101]

Thank you for that.

I am bathing or showering at least three times a day and just wear cotton clothing.

I am wondering if the smell could be the smell of Cancer..Sorry to put it so crudely..

I have appointment for mammogram shortly so will mention it.

Thank you again for replying to me.

[macor]

I had several lymph nodes removed in and a lumpectomy and in 2017 do have lymphedema now on that side. I did have a recurrence in 2021 of breast cancer that was on the skin and incision line from earlier surgery. It was the "awful " smell and some discharge that alerted me something was wrong. I went back to my breast surgeon and my advice to you would be to contact them if your PCP isn't doing anything...just for your own "peace of mind", I have never had problems with sweating after it personally. I wish you well.

[Tilly101]

Thank you for that.

I do hope you are fully recovered now and breast cancer for you is a thing of the past.

I have an appointment in July .

Take care and keep well.