How much should breast hurt 7 weeks after lumpectomy?

1stTimeStage2
1stTimeStage2 Member Posts: 38 Member
edited March 2023 in Breast Cancer #1

Hello - I had a lumpectomy on August 4th and a pretty quck recovery - sentinal nodes and margins were clean, was up and aroud the next day. The stitches at both sites healed quickly. But my breast still has pain where the tumor was - like a ball of pain that hurts most when I don't wear a very tight sports bra (jiggling is bad). I am on week 4 of radiation so tight sports bras are not great right now. Is this normal healing of scar tissue? How long should the "former tumor" hurt? Thanks!

Comments

  • Teach76
    Teach76 Member Posts: 351 Member
    #2
    Continued pain

    I finished my radiation in July and I still have pain.  I feel it is worse now than after the surgery.  Radiation changes the breast tissue.  One doctor tells me it is fluid and another tells me it is scar tissue.  (No test - just their Dx).  post radiation I was told to massage to break up whatever was forming/ left behind.

  • peony
    peony Member Posts: 306 Member
    edited October 2016 #3
    I had lumpectomy in Aug 2015

    I had lumpectomy in Aug 2015 and finished radiation this May. I would have occasional stabs of pain- frequently at first, but they lessened over time.  The NP said I would have that the rest of my life. I still have them, but it's not as painful or as frequent.  Best wishes.

  • Iris_G
    Iris_G Member Posts: 50 Member
    edited October 2016 #4
    On & off Pain....

    I had my lumpectomy in August 2015, and recovery time was very minimal. I never really had any pain until after my radiation in May 2016.  Some days my breast just aches.  My radiation onco said it's the scarring from the radiation, and to give myself a breast exam every day for the next few weeks to keep the scarring down, which will help with the pain. 

  • 1stTimeStage2
    1stTimeStage2 Member Posts: 38 Member
    edited October 2016 #5
    fluid, scar tissue, radiation scar

    Thanks all for your responses. I don't know if it is fluid, scar tissue, radiation scarring (I am 4 weeks into a 6.5 week radiation course) but it is really uncomfortable! Can I massage it now while I am under-going radiation or should I wait? Has anyone had PT for this (I know it sounds strange but a friend had it to reduce scar tissue after stomach surgery.) Thanks again!

  • peony
    peony Member Posts: 306 Member
    edited October 2016 #6
    You should ask your RO

    You should ask your RO (radiation oncologist) about the pain. I used to see mine weekly. I used to massage a lotion or an oil into my skin twice a day. It helps keep radiation burns at a minimum.

  • Apaugh
    Apaugh Member Posts: 850 Member
    edited October 2016 #7
    PT massage

    I ask my doctor to send me to pysical therapy to help with the tightness and pain in my chest as well as my arms.  My therepist is trained and certified to do breast massage and it is really helping the pain and tightness go away.  She is teaching me how to do this on my own because it's a life long thing. 

     

  • Leslie_B
    Leslie_B Member Posts: 8
    #8
    I am having some of the same

    I am having some of the same symptoms.  I had a lumpectomy 8/4 and then re-cision 8/11.  I still have pain and tightening in the breast and in the arm pit.  I started my radiation this week, and it seems to me that my breast is warmer to touch and I feel shooting pains once awhile in it.  I am seeing a physical therapist next Wed am to start a PT program.  My shoulders also ache when I am doing the treatments, which is just probably from age and wear & tear on my body over the years.  The physical therapist specializes in cancer patients.

    I'm hoping this helps a lot and also I am trying to be sure an prevent any long term problems such as lymphodemia.  The breast massage sounds good - I will bring that up at the PT session if she doesn't.

  • Apaugh
    Apaugh Member Posts: 850 Member
    edited November 2016 #9
    Cancer Services

    If you ask your oncocoligist, they can give you the number to your local cancer services in your area.  If your insurance does not cover physical therapy they can help you with funding and they have trained massage therapist that you can go to free that will help you.  It is worth it. 

  • 1stTimeStage2
    1stTimeStage2 Member Posts: 38 Member
    #10
    Thanks so much all!

    I am now 16 weeks post surgery and no pain at all!!  I think it was mostly surgery healing + radiation. Thanks so much!!

  • disneyfan2008
    disneyfan2008 Member Posts: 6,583 Member
    #11
    2008

    I had a lumpecomty 2008 and again in 2013-same side. My breast is numb from radiation but also TENDER-not sore. IF I bump into something or lean on a railing or box to get something.

     

    I honestly do not remember how long it hurt-from post surgery-but not long-if i recall correctly. (much less pain then i thought it would be)

     

    Denise

  • Tamiann
    Tamiann Member Posts: 23 Member
    #12

    I am 3 months past my surgery, and almost 5 weeks after finishing rad therapy, and still feeling a fair amount of pain. I have been so frustrated, but it helps to see that this is still fairly normal. It also helps to hear that the massaging and manipulation of the tissue will help long term.

    Thank you all for your comments - they are extremely helpful!

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