treatment for fibrosis

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I have am recently diagnosed and have had no treatment, just biopsy. My surgeon is planning a lumpectomy with probable radiation (either partial breast using Mammosite or Savi or the like) or IORT (intraoperative radiation therapy). I am concerned about potential fibrosis.

Over the summer I had foot surgery and physical therapy following it. One of the thing the therapist did was to perform vigorous massage around the surgical area each time I went in, as he explained it, to break up adhesions.

I saw the therapist yesterday and spoke to him about my upcoming procedure and the potential for fibrosis. He's a jock type of guy in his 50s and while he's great for my feet he said he didn't have any experience in this area and doesn't seem to want to acquire any. However, he said he thought the type of massage he had done on my foot would almost certainly work elsewhere on the body and that after I had surgery I might want to look into it.

Anyone have any experience with massage therapy after breast surgery, either for the surgery alone or for radiation-induced fibrosis? 

London-Virginia

I think you raise a very good point.  No-one seems to suggest such massage or anything similar, but personally I think it makes a lot of sense.  I am one year out from the end of radiotherapy (having had lumpectomy.breast reduction, and chemo).  I think maybe use your common sense and do some sort of gentlke massaging regulalry yourself.  I don't think that can harm.

 Sorry about your diagnosis - I am sure right now everything is very daunting.  But, life does get back to normal and the fear end of things definitely subsides. I have got a great new job working at the same career I had before diagnosis and now I am moving on.  IT all takes time, but you can get your life back.  Best wishes and good luck!

alex56

I had a left mastectomy followed by radiation.  Mild lymphedema developed in my arm due to aggressive lymph node removal.  I started lymphedema therapy about 10 months after the mastectomy.  My therapist did very gentle lymph massage on the affected side of my chest and commented that massage on radiated skin must be done with great care.  He gave me stretching excersises to do and taught me MLD (manual lymph drainage) which has been fantastic. Massage should also not be done in an area of active tumor(s).  In the hands of a skilled therapist, massage can be wonderfully therapeutic and effective.  It is also effective if the lymph vessels begin to harden - the therapist can gently manipulate and stretch them to improve your range of motion.  I would encourage you to find an experienced OT or physical therapist who works with bc patients.  My understanding is that the massage needed for cancer issues is different than for sports related conditions.