Hardness? symmetry

malaika

I am going to have to do radiation in the months to come, and have a couple of questions.

1. I've heard about the burning, and am ready to be prepared because my skin is FRAGILE. It scars when I scratch my breasts for just regular itching so I somewhat expect that. Tell me though, the hardness I'm reading about is it common? Have any of you experienced it, and does it go away?

2. I've also read about assemetry following rads. Does your breast really shrink?

Thanks

josephine_

Hi Malaika,

I have just finished rads (6 weeks including boost)  which was given at same time as Taxol.  I had a lumpectomy, and the fibrous tissue inside the breast was quite hard (at the start of rads) and the breast nurse said it may get worse during rads (hard to tell).  Breasts are still same size.  I had no problems throughout, and used aqueous cream.  Last week though the burn under the breast started to weep (this is where they direct the photons to targte lymph nodes at the back of the chest wall) and also had tissue breakdown around the nipple area.  However, mending well with dressings and only a few days out.  The radiographers said this was entirely normal.  Everyone is slighlt different in their response, and I would suggest to take things as they come along.  No good preparing for the worse and it not happen.  Good luck

IDC Stage 1 (2cm) grade 3 0/11 lymph nodes A/C + T DD Rads x 30

Kleenex

I finished rads a little over a year ago. I think that taking Tamoxifen may have changed my breasts more than the radiation did - they are a little less overall firm and seem lumpier. The left breast - the one that was radiated - doesn't look or feel particularly different than the right side. Aside from the scar where they entered to do my lumpectomy and a small divot where they took out the globule of evil (which is really more above my breast) they look pretty much the same as they did before all of the fun of 2008.

I didn't have too much trouble with burning - I had some nipple peeling, and it looked a little red, like I'd been at a topless beach or something. I usually will get a sunburn if I don't wear sunscreen, so I was expecting the worst. You never know. Apparently, extremely dark and extremely light skinned people have the most trouble, but it's really hard to predict.

Good luck to you!

C.

Irishred

I think most people have some burning,  I am fair skinned, so I had quite a bit, the worst was under my arm (missed two weeks of rads on that one)  Its weird, I finished rads on Sept 30.  I actually think my breast is larger ,but it still could be some swelling.  It is kind of hard and lumpy around the nipple.  It still itches some (even the whole thing peeled) and sometimes I get little shooting pains, but nothing that is horrible.  Good luck.

elimar86861

Wanted to wait until I saw my Rad-Onc today for the 6 week follow-up before I posted my answers for you.  I'm 4 mos. post surgery, about a month post rads.  My scars have healed o.k. and I did not have bad skin issues with the rads.   You have a different story than I do because you had more nodes taken and since you are Her 2, you had chemo, right?  That could be a factor in your reaction to radiation.  The armpit area does get sensitive for many women,

What I will tell you is this:  My scar tissue feels hard and lumpy in there, and under my scar area and nipple still feels sore to pressure.  I asked the doc about it today.  He said I was "healing nicely" and the soreness can last even a year out or more.  Also, he said he could feel the stitches STILL on the inside.  I thought they were supposed to disolve, but he said they can get little capsules of scar tissue around them and then it takes a long time for them to break down.  He told me to massage the areas of scar tissue EVERY DAY to soften it up, but it takes a long time.  As far as symmetry...During rads my treated side was a bit bigger (edema, swelling) but now they are pretty much the same.  My lump was small, and the bulky scar tissue is making up for it.  I am sure it varies with how much tissue they had to remove and the size of the woman breast to begin with.  Hopefully, you will end up with a matched set.

Bottom line, I don't know if there is any rhyme or reason who gets the rads burns.  Make sure to use a good lotion.  I used aloe.  Even if you get skin issues, remember that many women here got through that and you will also.  Best of Luck to you!