Post radiation

Dodgerick

I had DMX January 2018 and I'm 14 months out from my radiation treatments to my right breast (lymph node involvement) and have noticed my skin and breast on the radiated side getting tighter and that breast is pulling up and "shrinking". Is there something I should do or a doctor I should notify about this?

AC1965

My radiologist told me my treated breast could be higher, smaller and tighter/firmer than my untreated breast after rads. I was not given a time frame for this, just told not to be surprised if/when it occurs. Maybe contact your radiologist, even if you are 14 months out from treatment, just to be sure.

Calli0p3

For what it's worth, I was told that tightening, hardening, and shrinking could happen anywhere within 2 years. I also had a nurse oncologist say that "eventually" it softens. I have never, ever heard anyone say that, after the scar tissue sets, and everything hardens off, that it spontaneously recovers to it's old, soft ways. But hey, maybe that miracle has happened for someone, somewhere. I am wondering if there is some sort of blood circulation encouraging supplements, med, or actions we can take to try to stave off that scarring? I mean, tumors quickly build a lot of vascularization, why can't we figure out how to do it for our irradiated tissue?

Dodgerick

Thanks AC1965 and Calli0p3, it just seems strange that this is still happening 14 months after radiation! My plastic surgeon tells me that radiation is the “gift that just keeps giving”, I will be fighting the scar tissue for the rest of my life! He told me to make sure to move that breast gently/massage when soaped up in the shower to keep it from becoming “rock hard”.... not exactly what I was hoping to hear! 🤪