Is Costochondritis a result of mastectomy:

naturegirl2

It's been 5 years since I had a mastectomy. I've been doing fine until last week, when I was diagnosed with costochondritis.(inflammation of cartilage that connects a rib to the beastbone (sternum).  Could this be a result of a mastectomy?  And, is it safe to soak in epsom salts since I am a breast cancer survivor?  Input please.  Anyone else diagnosed with costochondritis?  I received chemotherapy years ago along with radiation.

AnneW

I would doubt it's due to your surgery. And it seems too long ago for a radiation reaction, but that's still a possibility. People get this for no good reason that we can figure out. Usually gets better with anti-inflammatories and time. Not sure Epsom salts will penetrate to the costal cartilage depth. Maybe some arnica cream like Traumeel? And lots of time.

However--if you don't get better in a few weeks, I would consider a further work up like a bone scan. Given our history, you don't want a mis-diagnosis. And I'm sure that has crossed your mind.

Shrek4

Did you have breast reconstruction? And if so, did you get implants? And if so, are your implants under the chest muscles, i.e. under the serratus anterior?

I had pain in my lower ribs, and  my PcP thought it might be chostcondritis. My PS said it's from the implants and the pain will manifest every time I try to workout with my arms.

OneBadBoob

I agree with AnneW that it may have nothing to do with BC or reconstruction. And it is actually relatively common to get this condition.



I had several bouts with costrochondritis many years prior to BC and reconstruction and anti-inflamatories and time healed it.



But again, mention it to your doctor and indeed if it does not resolve ask your doctor to check into it further.

naturegirl2

Hi AnneW, thanks for your input.  Docs are saying 'time' should rectify problem as well.  I'm on anti-inflammatories and muscle relaxer at night.  I do work out as often as I can.  Hopefully this will be resolved and soon.

Day-no I didn't have brest reconstruction nor implants.  I left well enough alone.  I'm not very big so it's not too obvious but I do have a prostetic(ph) to insert in bra if needed.  Good luck with your workouts.

OneBadBoob,thanks for your input as well.  I will take heed and proceed further if neede.

naturegirl2

Heads up girls - costrochrondritis may have been misdiagnosed.  And was sitting on this for one year.  I was initially diagnosed with costrochrondrits by a physical medicine doctor, pain on and off for on year, taking ibuprophren(ph) on and off, seeing my physical medicine doct. for follow ups, along with my oncol. every 6 months, and now this. No one mentioned it could have been a recurrence of B/C. And got the diagnosis of Stage 4 Met. breast cancer two weeks ago.  My oncolog. thinks probably I've been having stage 4 for a while.  He had been giving me blood tests every 6 months but did not feel the need for other tests until I complained, loudly, middle of Nov. as a raised area occurred on my sternum.  He ordered Cat Scan with contrast and this is my diagnosis.  Stage 4 Met. Breast/Cancer.  Cancer HIDES.  Take note girls.

Momine

Naturegirl, I am so sorry and thanks for posting.

naturegirl2

Thanks Momine.  It is just discourging to know I've done my part in going to the docs (every 6 months to my oncol, and follow ups to my physical med doc who diagnosed me with costo, and this was not found earlier due to my symptoms.  Ya know?

Momine

You have every reason to be angry, although I have a feeling that it is harder to catch than we think.

weymouth

How are you doing? I am in a state of panic and terror, because the same thing may be happening to me. I've just been diagnosed with costochondritis and LE. Had partial mastectomy in June followed be 33 rad treatments. My pain has continually spread and increased. Urgent (painful!!!) mammo and US were neg for mass, pos for seroma. I can't seem to get real answers, just a bit here and a suggestion there. I am at a loss as to what to do. 

Beesie

On and off since my mastectomy, I've had rib pain which I'm guessing might be costochronditis.  If you google "mastectomy and costochronditis" there don't appear to be any medical studies that suggest that costochronditis can develop after a mastectomy but there are dozens and dozens of websites where this issue is being discussed.  So it seems to be a very common problem among women who've had mastectomies or any breast cancer surgery.  This question recently came up in the question section on BC.org but the answer there isn't particularly helpful:

"Costochondritis is a common problem in women who have been affected by breast cancer and who have not."  Costochondritis, recurrence risk after mastectomy and implant?

I'm still doing my internet search so we'll see if I find any medical studies or medical sites that do suggest a link between breast cancer surgery and costochronditis.  

naturegirl2

hi weymouth,

Ask your oncologist to order a CAT scan/with dye of your chest and possibly other areas.  He/you will then know more of what is going on.  I'm still angry about the mis-diagnosis but my oncol. did tell me a six month or so prior diagnosis wouldn't have helped  as once this vast pain began, the cancer had already done their 'dirty' thing.  Good luck and do keep us posted.