Nipple Pain and Swelling

Loisp54

I had a lumpectomy for DCIS and now had my 19th radiation treatment. I have been having terrible nipple pain and swelling since about the 8th or 9th treatment. I have been using Aloe and Glaxal cream and also polysporin on the end of my nipple because it is really red and painful. Helps a little , but my clothes rubbing makes it worse.  I seen the Oncologist today and he said this could be pre cancer   because most women don't have this kind of pain and problem with the nipple and so soon after the treatment started . Has anyone else out there had really bad pain and swelling with their nipple. I am really worried .

TenderIsOurMight

Where was your DCIS, Lois? Was it far from the nipple or close? I only ask because on first blush, if your DCIS was completely excised by the lumpectomy and if the lumpectomy was far from the nipple I'd wonder if your nipple isn't just plain burned (and swollen and red) from the radiation? 

Of course milk ducts do end in the nipple so yes, it could be pre-cancer, or theoretically, Pagets disease of the nipple which is a slightly different breast cancer.

Only a biopsy will be able to discern the pathologic diagnosis. Perhaps your doctor would recommend finishing the radiation to allow healing of the biopsy, or if he and your surgeon fell a sense of urgency, then a small biopsy of the nipple can be done soon.

I did not have this problem, yet did have radiation treatment, and I feel for you: a painful nipple is very uncomfortable. I hope perhaps some lambswool may aid you as an interface with your shirt, the skin side well lubricated by the prescribed creams your doctors has given you.

Hope this gets resolved and you get some relief soon. Hang in there, those radiation treatments are almost done forever. 

Loisp54

Hi, my DCIS was  behind my nipple but close to my chest wall.  I have about a 3 1/2 inch incision on the side and went to the middle of my breast. They cut out about the size of a tangerine.  It was and still is very painful. During the first 2 weeks of my radiation they kept adjusting , trying to get more radiation in my lung in case any cancer cells got away.   I never had nipple pain, swelling , thickening , and so painful before the radiation started. I feel that my nipple is being fried. I am in so much pain today that im afraid to have the rest of my treatments if it continues to get worse.  Can't imagine this being cancer again. I have 6 treatments left and have been counting the days to having this over with.  I just don't know if I can handle more pain.

TenderIsOurMight

I'm so sorry. It must be intense pain since it involves the nipple. I would call and ask for a prescription pain reliever, not just over the counter type. Other considerations might be a cold compress with Vaseline as an interface between the nipple and the ice/cold. This might help the swelling go down. Is there any open skin? Anytime that happens of course, bacteria especially may enter, setting the stage for a small infection or abscess.

I don't see how you can avoid seeing your radiologist at this point. A medical exam as well as an ultrasound of the nipple certainly sounds in order to look for fluid accumulation, abscess formation, or changes suggestive of cancer. Your oncologist is right to be concerned if the DCIS was under the nipple and he/she will make further recommendations.

If your radiation oncologist and you feel you could proceed, even one treatment day at a time with evaluation in between, finishing might be advantageous as certainly radiation kills breast cancer cells.

But concomitantly, it is important further evaluation be done tomorrow for additional factors that may be causing such intense nipple pain: infection, fluid swelling, clogged ducts causing nerve compression and swelling.

Please do check in with both your radiation oncologist and oncologist soon.

My best to you,

Tender 

Annadj13

I am going through 6 weeks of radiation and have 8 more days to go. Occasionally I have shooting pain through my nipple into my chest that lasts about 10 to 12 seconds and feels like an icepick going through me. And my nipple is getting very sore. I meet with the Dr once a week and have complained to the nurse about this and she keeps telling me, "We call those 'little zingers' and it is caused by the nerves growing back after a lumpectomy." :-( My Dr told me to fold a tissue down to a couple of inches, coat it with Aquaphor and place it over the nipple. I tried that and it didn't help at all! I believe my pain and hardness of the breast and painful nipple is caused by the radiation itself!

ShockedAt48

I agree. I had nipple pain during radiation. My radiation ended a week and half ago and now the skin on my nipple is pealing. The nipple feels like it is burning all day long. My RO said it should start to alleviate in two weeks.

Nyr4evr

will sound crazy but did help. My nurse told me to put aquifor on the nipple. Take large piece of Saran Wrap. Spread it over the nipple. Did help. I actually slept the whole night with it. I am sure it is from the rads. My husband as very shocked to see me. Let’s face it they have seen it all after this Will probably go away shortly after treatment stops Good luck. No picnic but we can beat this now

Nyr4evr

You need to get pain meds. We all feel at some point to stop and end this. I know I have. It kills under my arm. I sleep all night with my arm over my head. I am now have to have six more boost. You don’t want to stop now. You are so close. Get a box of chocolates or hot fudge Sunday just think of those sisters that didn’t have our choice to live long lives. We are in it and can get through it together. Please don’t give up. Keep me posted

BC2018

I just started radiation. I've competed 8 out of the 35. My radiation oncologist referred me back to my breast cancer surgeon because of redness and swelling to my breast. She said it is not normal to have these symptoms so early in the treatment. My nibble is sore and I have mild pain through out my breast. My lumpectomy was on July of 2018. Can someone add or share if they've had a similar experience and the result please.

SunnyInSummer

BC2018,

I had redness & swelling the first week. The doctors said the same - that this isn’t normal; however, a nurse told me this happens more than one thinks. So, I ordered Miaderm with lidocaine from Amazon. Expensive, but the pain, swelling, and redness reduced extensively. I hope you find relief. I could not imagine going through this without Miaderm. It really saved my sanity. Wishing you well.