Itchiness and rash on the breast.

wifessupport

Hi All,

My wife had her bilateral mastectomy in March-2013 and
radiation was completed in June. She had tissue expanders placed at the
same time during mastectomy and her last expansion was in November.
However since beginning December she started having itchy skin. She saw
her oncologist in December and she said this is common and asked her to
apply 1% hydrocortizone. However over the past 2 weeks the rash has
increased with small bumps like mosquito bites. She has a terrible
burning, itch and occassional cramps and pain in the radiated area on
the breast. We met with the dermatologist yesterday and she presribed a
lidex cream and said if it is does improve in 2-3 days they may do a
biopsy. Now I am scared. Is this common with tissue expanders? Has
anyone experienced this before?

Thanks

steelrose

wifessupport,

I'm sorry you and your wife are going through this scare. Has there been any improvement? I have been searching the boards, looking for similar experiences.  I have been in remission since Jan. 2011, but I developed a rash six months ago, which my doctor was convinced was "radiation recall." (I had my sternum radiated in 2010). The symptoms were just as you described your wife's. I finally insisted on a biopsy, and it is bc mets. I don't want to frighten you, and i certainly hope that you have some good news to share! But I am concerned about the pattern of skin mets showing up in previous radiation fields. Please update us, and I sincerely hope that in your wife's case, it's just a plain old skin issue!!! 

Rose.