Swelling of surgical site and underarm since beginning rads?

LittleLori

Has anyone experienced swelling after beginning radiation?

I had a lumpectomy on January 2nd, and all swelling was gone by the first week of February, leaving me with a concave area in the upper outer quadrant of my breast where tissue was removed. Monday night (after my 3rd treatment) I noticed that my breast no longer looked concave, and there was a bit of swelling/puffiness along my ribcage and under my arm. My breast also fell tender by yesterday morning.

I asked the techs if this is normal and they said no, but added that it wouldn't be caused by radiation. The nurse agreed with them and said the only side effect I would get from rads is skin irritation.

I feel no fluid in my breast and show no redness, or other signs of infection. The ONLY change since last week was beginning radiation. I see the RO after this afternoon's treatment, but have a feeling he will say it's not related. I also left a message for my SO to get her thoughts.

Feeling frustrated...

gb2115

Yes.

I had swelling at the beginning of radiation within a couple of treatments. It did go away eventually. I also felt "hot" in my breast hours after treatment, the first week or so. They denied that radiation could cause that. It wouldn't hurt to get your surgeon to take a look if you are worried, just to make sure nothing looks odd. But yeah, sore and swollen--only the breast though w/ swelling. I had my lymph node areas radiated too (under arm and under collarbone), but those areas never became swollen although I did have tenderness. The under collarbone area is still tender, a year later.

They will probably deny that radiation can cause that (the denial of side effects drives me batty with these ROs). However, if you think about it, it makes sense that radiation could cause an inflammatory reaction of sorts. Especially right off the bat. For me, that mostly tapered off right as the skin irritation was starting.

LittleLori

Thanks so much, gb2115. I thought I was going crazy. Sorry to hear your collarbone is still tender. Other than that, I hope you are doing well.

Today's nurse said it's not common, but the rads could cause swelling. When the RO came in, he said it was most likely left over swelling from surgery that became more inflamed. He said it can take months for all the fluid to be absorbed by your body and under your arm is often the last place to resolve itself. He added that the amount of swelling I have isn't concerning.

A coworker got back to me and said her breast had swelling and stayed bigger than the other one (she is two years post radiation). She, like me, was told by her RO to expect shrinkage, but her surgeon said sometimes the opposite happens. I wish they gave a more comprehensive list of possibilities with the headings, "This is normal for some people, DON'T FREAK OUT!" or "This is NOT normal, call the office."

gb2115

That's great to get some reassurance and direction from your RO!!

I have yet to see any shrinkage. My radiated breast is slightly larger than the other (which is the opposite of how it used to be). However it's not noticeable through clothing.

I see my RO for 1 year follow up next week. I will tell her about the tenderness but honestly don't expect her to say much.

Katiejane777

My breast swelled too. It still is 1 week after Rads.I ended up going to a physio trained in Lymphodema and that helped a bit. My scar went a bit concave at the end of rad treatment, when the boost started.

LittleLori

gb2115--I hope your 1 year visit goes well! I've resigned myself to the fact that my left breast will be permanently wonky in way or another.

KatieJane77--thank you for sharing your experience, It's good that you found someone to help with lymphodema. Hope everything starts to settle down for your.