Residual pain post lumpectomy and radiation

[Sagebud]

Hello, I had a lumpectomy in April and a course of radiation in June. It is now mid August and I still get shooting pains and occasional soreness in the affected breast. It's not terrible, but worrisome. I am wondering if this is normal.

[Chrysali]

My lumpectomy was ten months ago and I still have soreness to the breast area and also numbness to the underarm area where a sentinel lymph node was removed. However, since the operation I have had a mammogram plus ultrasound twice and I have been reassured that there is a post operation seroma, which I have decided to just leave. As for the numbness, it’s receding, but it’s a very gradual thing. It’s definitely a type of operation with long lasting effects, but I have so far found everything manageable. Wishing you well on your recovery journey

[Sagebud in reply to Chrysali]

Thank you. Reassuring for sure! And best of luck to you in your recovery journey too.

[Kazza1111]

HiI had a lumpectomy in January and radiotherapy in April and I'm still getting the odd shooting pain, almost stinging at times. I guess it's such a sensitive area and they have had to cut through nerve endings. I'm due a follow up telephone call next week and will let you know if they say anything different. X

[Sagebud in reply to Kazza1111]

Thank you. Our symptoms sound very similar indeed.

[smithtennyson]

I had a lumpectomy in January, and again in February with radiotherapy afterwards and still have pains. Its where the nerves are still 'knitting together'. I also have problems reaching high with the arm where they took the lymph nodes out of, but its beginning to ease a bit. Good Luck xx

[RedNYC]

I had lumpectomy in January and radiation in Feb/March and started physical therapy in July for the residual pain/numbness/range of motion issues/scar tissue and it's made a huge help. Might be worth asking for a referral from one of your doctors. It was also a huge relief to have somebody acknowledge that I wasn't "back to normal." Good luck, it gets better slowly!

[MFR4life]

I hope you have found some help since your original post, but may I please suggest that you go to myofascialrelease.com to read about fascia and how surgery affects it. You can then go to mfrtherapists.com to search for a therapist near you, hopefully. Women can experience various pains and difficulties in the area of surgery or especially in the arm, hand, shoulder, and neck after surgery for breast cancer and are typically/historically not given good advice about what to do for it.