How long does post radiation swelling/lumpiness last?

Ltam16

I finished radiation November 15. My skin has healed and skin color is just slightly tan. However, my radiated breast is still swollen and has some areas of thickened hard skin with orange peel look to it. Just wondering what others experiences are...is this my new normal? The RO said if it is still a problem at my next follow up I may need to see lymphedema specialist. And I just had my first mammogram post treatment. I feel like that aggravated the swelling.

ChiSandy

I finished my rads a week after you, Ltam, with exactly the same swelling and hardening (though it was beneath the skin and I didn't get the orange-peel texture). All my docs said it wasn't LE--even the renowned LE specialist I saw after getting worried about transient cording symptoms. My LE therapist doesn't think it is either--she's mostly treating my arm & hand LE and cording--but is nonetheless doing massage to encourage the subcutaneous radiation fibrosis to soften so that my mammary seroma might take less than a year to resolve. We're having good results with keeping a Solaris “Swell Spot" pad inside my sleep bra at night--ask your therapist about one. But be prepared to be in it for the long haul.

Ltam16

thank you

LMN

thickened skin and orange peel sound like IBC (my diagnosis) but I would hope that inflammatory breast cancer could not show up this late in your treatment.

doxie

Ltam16,

Expect it to take at least 6 months to a year for your breast to recover from rads. Your tissue is healingand needs more lymph fluid to do so.

And your RO may be correct that it is LE. Nearly four years out from rads, I have fluid retention in my breast along with mild LE in my axilla and upper arm. Still my RO blames the fluid in the breast on rads.

Not a big issue because the is little discomfort and it is barely visible.

BrooksideVT

Definitely see a lymphedema therapist (specialized physical therapist) now. Most likely it is not lymphedema, but the therapist will be able to assess your swelling, show you how to encourage healthy lymph drainage, and give you guidance on safe and effective exercise. If she believes it is indeed a bit of lymphedema, you will be better off for having addressed it sooner. Your surgeon or your RO can give you a referral. In my case, my hospital offered an exercise class for breast cancer patients. The class was led by two lymphedema therapists, so I just made an appointment with one of them. I believe I saw her three times in all. I had cording and terror (second diagnosis my own) and am eternally grateful for her expertise. It was her goal, by the way, for every surgeon to refer every patient to her for an early assessment. She did mention that my surgeon was the least compliant in this area. He did know I had slightly reduced range of motion (cording) but felt it would resolve on its own. Perhaps it would have, but the emotional support from the lymphedema therapist's knowledge base, and her assurance of what constitute safe exercise, were a significant benefit

Bounce

A few months after I finished rads I felt my breast was still swollen and heavier than pre surgery/pre radiation.

MO, RO, breast surgeon and my doctor said it would take much longer for my breast to feel better while not being able to give me a reason for it still hurting. They seemed to think I might feel discomfort for years and were quite happy to tell me so.

I found a lymphedema specialist (extra qualified physiotherapist) and after 4 sessions I felt like a new person physically and also psychologically.

I highly recommend trying a few sessions unless there is an underlying medical reason not to.

Also ask your RO about taking some NSAIDS. I remember taking some for about 2 weeks and that helped a bit before the lymphedema specialist.

I must add that I did not have thickening or orange peel - just a swollen, heavy bruised feeling.

Best wishes

labelle

I'm a year out. My breast is still somewhat swollen and sort of orange peel like in spots. Ultrasound shows a thickening of the skin caused by RADS per the BS and the radiologist who did the ultrasound. Both say this is not unusual, changes in the breast due to RADS for up to two years after completing treatment are within the realm of normalcy. My skin is also still somewhat darker colored in places and the pores have remained larger. Some women experience a hardening/swelling or shrinking of the breasts from RADs that never resolves itself and is indeed the new normal but they basically told me until I'm two years out I may experience changes. At my last visit the BS said I do have mild edema of the breast and suggested a compression garment might be helpful. No referral to a lymphadema specialist was forthcoming, but like Doxie, it's not a big issue for me, I have only mild discomfort (and that comes and goes), I have no problems with my arm or range of motion. The swelling makes fitting bras properly a bit problematic and it is annoying, but not noticeable in clothing.

To the question of is this the new normal for you, from what I've been told the new normal won't be apparent for up to two years after completing RADs, so it may indeed get better.

ChiSandy

I’m still trying to wrap my head around my lumpectomy breast becoming BIGGER than the normal one (which had previously been the bigger one by nearly half a cup size). It may eventually settle down to being smaller and misshapen, but in the meantime I’ve had to go up a cup and a band size. Be prepared for either result.

etnasgrl

LMN.....thickened skin and orange peel texture is 100% normal after rads and does NOT indicate IBC. (Speaking only for ladies who have just finished rads and have these symptoms.)

I have the same problem and my RO told me not to worry, it was totally normal and very, very common. She said that the thickened skin and orange peel texture may take up to six months to heal, but eventually will.

MomOfTwins98

I feel just like ChiSandy. My lumpectomy breast is now larger than the other breast. I've been going to a lymphedema therapist for a couple weeks and still have so much swelling - She gave me a breast compression pad to wear under my sports bra and told me today to wear it under a tank to sleep - not sure it will stay in place but I'll try. What is a sleep bra? where do you get them? My MO and primary care both saw how swollen I was and both did not seem worried about it - I, however, went to the lymphedema clinic on my own and she has been working with me. I actually feel more swollen but perhaps it is part of the process? Dont know but have two appts per week for the next several weeks so, hopefully, it will help and work. My therapist is lovely and told me she'll get the swelling down so I'm hoping she's right. I also had awful cording after my surgery and re-excision which was 100% better and I thought gone with but now, the pain seems to be in that same spot - Had worked with a PT for that who left the area.

Ltam16

thank you all for your responses! After seeing my RO and surgeon, I started going to a lymphedema therapist today. Had lymphatic massage and laser treatment. Will be fitted soon for a compression vest for night and a compression bra for day.

ChiSandy

For sleep, I wear soft knit front-close “leisure bras” by Leading Lady--I have them in black, beige, pink, fucshia, purple and leopard print. They come in band sizes 32-54 and cup sizes A/B, C/D/E and F/G/H (I wear 42F/G/H because my regular bra size is 40I). Got them for less than $30 at HerRoom.com.