breast swelling

sunrise70
sunrise70 Member Posts: 2
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
To anyone who may be able to help. I finished Radiation treatment on July 21st 2005. 6 weeks later I noticed that the breast that had had the Lumpectomy on was increasing in size. I had a check up appointment with my Radiologist who just didn't seem interested in my concern. I have bought an expensive sports bra as several friends had said that might help but I still keep getting larger. The only problems I seem to be able to find answers to are Lymphadema in the arm or leg. Surely I can't be the only person with this type of swelling. I have got to the point of 10 on the scale of 1-10 worrying about this problem. I live in Canada.

Comments

  • jamjar62
    jamjar62 Member Posts: 135
    #2
    You didn't mention whether it was the whole breast or just the radiated area. I had swelling in the area which turned out to be a seroma. It showed up on my first mammo after radiation but I already knew something was there because I could feel it. A seroma is just a fluid filled capsule that can develop in areas where tissue is removed. I had mine drained multiple times and finally just had it removed when I went back for reconstruction.

    I don't know if yours is a seroma but do a google search and see if it sounds like what you are experiencing.

    Hope this helps,
    Karen
  • tlmac
    tlmac Member Posts: 272 Member
    #3
    Hi Sunrise, You also didn't mention if you had pain. Lymphedema can affect the breast, chest and even back of someone treated for breast cancer. Truncal lymphedema, however, is usually associated with pain. It's treated with therapy and compression. I've learned never to rely on the medical opinion of a single doctor. Even if this is just your body's reaction to the radiation and will eventually go away, you deserve to be reassurred it's nothing more serious. Don't hesitate to get a second opinion. Good luck.
    terri
  • lindatn
    lindatn Member Posts: 229
    #4
    I'm not sure this will help you at all as we will pray it goes away after a period of time. It is very very early to be really concerned. I finished radiation in Dec of 2002. Breast started swelling three weeks after by Christmas one breast was a D cup the other double D. It was hard and hurt I did have a seroma which finally went away in about a year. The breast has gone down a lot but still off and on fills up with fluid. Radiation center was completely worthless ordered a mammogram which was really painful six weeks after I finished, Breast surgeon had a fit when I told him. Onco says lymphedema and says a tight fitting bra may make it worse as it cannot drain at all. If I lift to much my whole chest wall hurts including my back at time. Mostly I am just very very glad to be alive no return of cancer. I had two nodes with cancer, took tamoxifen until 30 days ago she suggusted I try arimidex. The swelling started ten days after I started the tammoxifen, onco says she had seen it before. Stay strong often it takes two years for the breast to settle down after radiation. Linda
  • katstraw
    katstraw Member Posts: 4
    #5
    I finished radiation on Aug 18, 2005 and over the past several weeks my breast feels swollen when I wake up. I was wondering if it might be Lymphedema in the breast tissue also. It's hard not to worry after what we have been through. Just wanted to let you know, you are not alone with this problem. Hope we find out the cause.
    Kathy

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