Concerned about My diagnosis & symptoms

Mntx

Just received diagnosis of DCIS grade 3. Getting a second opinion. Found lump in my left breast due to extreme pain. Since that day my left breast, left chest area, and left arm have been burning. Left arm burns, is numb and tingles. It also feels weak and gets a tired of use. Really,the burning sensation radiates all on my left side (shoulder arm chest). Breast surgeon that went over pathology report says this has nothing to do with my BC diagnosis. I say bull. Maybe diagnosis not accurate?? Anyone else experience this type of issue?

Moderators

Hi Mntx, and welcome to Breastcancer.org,

We're so sorry to hear of your diagnosis, but we're really glad you found us. You're sure to find our amazing Community an awesome source of advice, information, and support. It's a little quiet around here on the weekends, but hopefully someone will be by shortly to weigh in with their thoughts and experience.

In the meantime, you may be interested in checking out the main Breastcancer.org site's pages on DCIS and also Getting a Second Opinion, for tips and advice on going about that.

We hope this helps and we hope to hear more from you soon!

--The Mods

moth

For sure it's good to get a second opinion but I'd also consider a consult with a physiotherapist and registered massage therapist as that is how nerve impingement in the neck & thoracic spine can present. It could be as a result of muscle tension brought on by stress of the diagnosis/lack of sleep/positioning during the mammograms & other tests... Hoping it's something as relatively simple as that.

best wishes

AlisonR

I was so relieved to read your message because I have been having the same symptoms. In addition to the burning I also have a pain when I watch TV behind my left shoulder blade. (The cancer is on my left side).

I still don't have my surgery scheduled so I'm freakign out the burnign is the cancer spreading!

Mntx

Moderators—thank you for reaching out and for info.

Moth—thank you for your response and I hope it is something simple. I see you were diagnosed DCIS/IDC. How did you find out about the dual diagnosis? I have more testing and I’m concerned that it is not a straight DCIS diagnosis.

AlisonR- glad to know I’m not losing my mind. My first breast surgeon I met with made me feel like I was crazy. I just want to get the testing over so I can stop the guessing.

Appreciate all taking time to respond.

moth

Hi Mntx - the final diagnosis is not done after the tumor is removed (either during lumpectomy or mastectomy) and the pathologist looks at the whole tissue. In my case the initial punch biopsy showed only IDC but after lumpectomy they saw DCIS as well.

What testing have you done and what do they want to do next?

Mntx

diagnostic mammogram, ultrasound, core needle biopsy. Scheduled for MRI as pathologist has other areas of concern

moth

So is the diagnosis now on the basis of a screening mammogram? Just curious.
I had diagnostic mammo & ultrasound on the same day. Core biopsy on Nov 28. Hope things go quickly for you. Hang in there!

Mntx

diagnosis was based on biopsy results. I was told by the breast surgeon I met with to go over results that there is concern that the biopsy may not reflect final diagnosis as the tumor too large and biopsy only tests a small area.there are other characteristics they see that are of concern.

Falconer

MNTX,
I agree with moth. It's so scary to receive a BC diagnosis. But it's true that stress can create similar symptoms as you're describing. That's my experience. I've been dealing with neck and shoulder pain and tingling in my arm. Drs are convinced it isn't BC. So I believe them! Worrying doesn't help me. I've had follow up tests and just remind myself that my treatment took care of the cancer. Good luck to you!

bluepearl

Whenever you feel burning or tingling or numbness it is a nerve in an uproar. That can occur with or without cancer and it can also occur from tension and holding our bodies hostage to fear. The result can be nerve impingement. Since you are stage 0 and I am assuming all the other tests indicated no further b.c. in your breasts , I would think it is something other than b.c.. We get other stuff too. The only time I would be concerned is if it was an infiltrating cancer and had gone to the spine...as it did with my sister....who lost walking ability etc. but the docs would have considered that and they are not suspicious about it. If you are bent over a computer all day you can get that tingling burning feeling in your back. Tension. That said, now you need to address THAT and its causes and correct it.

CoComedy

Hi there. I had the same weird pain after my breast biopsies in Jan/Feb. it was a weird tingling pain mostly in my shoulder blade. It slowly spread across my back and up into my neck. Super weird! I thought it was just nerve pain/damage from the biopsies and numbing meds. It lasted for about a month and then went away. Try not to worry about it. Especially, Since your DR isn’t concerned. Hang in there!!!

Mntx

Thank you all for your words of encouragement.

AlisonR

HI MNTX, have you gotten your MRI yet? I just had mine yesterday because we were seeing if I was a candidate for Lumpectomy or not and just found out today I only have the two tumors they originally found in the mammogram so I am a candidate for lumpectomy. I also told the doctor about all my pains and she said its definitely my brain on override because I have been a nervous wreck waiting for the surgery option to be decided. I hope you get your tests completed and a plan in place and that will really help settle yoru nerves.

momkidsgrandkids38

Hello mntx, I was just diagnosed with regional recurrent breast cancer in my lymph nodes on March 30th only being cancer free less than 1 year. I too experience burning in my armpit. I asked my surgeon what the burning meant and he said there is probably inflammation causing burning. He said inflammation can also cause shooting pains and discomfort through your body. Hope this helps.