concerned about rib pain

tilsgirl

Hi Ladies,

It’s been quite
awhile since I’ve been on these boards. 
I was diagnosed with Stage 2 BC with lymph node involvement 4 years
ago.  I did chemo, full mascetomy(without
reconstruction) and radiation.  Ever
since a few months after treatment, I have had a tenderness in my ribs on the
same side as the cancer had been.  I had
a bone scan done at that time (4 years ago) and it came up clean.  But the tenderness has not gone away and
seems to perhaps be getting a bit worse and in a larger area of my ribs.  It is always there, it does not come and
go.  My doctor seems to think it is related
scar-tissue or side-effects from the radiation. 
Has anyone else experienced this? 
Should I be concerned? 

Thanks in advance.

punky

Hi Tilsgirl,

I have the same problem. It has been a year since I finished treatment and the rib pain is still there. I have had a bone scan as well as other scans and there are no mets to the ribs. I have finally started to be comfortable that the rib pain is not mets and just a side effect. If only for piece of mind, you should request another bone scan or chest CT from your oncologist since it's been a while.  Hugs and prayers.

sandilee

I agree with Punky that it might be a good idea to get another bone scan, since it's been four years.  I know that some doctors are kind of stubborn when it comes to giving scans to what they consider 'early stage" cancer patients, as it's not "standard of care."  But because your symptoms are not going away and in fact are getting worse, I would insist on it. You could tell him you won't be able to have peace of mind until you know for sure.