5 month after radiation recurrence

Saxon51

Hi this is my first time doing this but would like to no if it is possible to get recurrence just 5 months after finishing radiotherapy. My breast is still very swollen and I get rib pain feels like brushing that comes and goes I also have found a small hard pealike lump just above the scar from my operation. In the last week when a get up my arm feels heavy it takes a little bit to get it going.Has any one else experienced any thing similar.

hikingandhorses

This happened to me - I panicked! I didn't even feel my cancer lump and yet I developed an obvious painful lump right on the surgical site. I IMMEDIATELY went back to my surgeon and he ultrasounded it and said it didn't look like a recurrence. He did a biopsy and it came back as fat. Long story short, my surgeon said it happens, that fat and scar tissue reorganize around the surgical areas and sometimes create lumps. I'm 5 years out and I still have the lumps - we monitored it for 5 years (my insistence) and finally my surgeon encouraged me to relax about it.

I also went through physical therapy to help separate the scar tissue which helped with the pulling and pain I felt inside.

If you can, get an ultrasound. Put your mind at ease.

Saxon51

Thank you this makes me feel a bit more confident. I have an appointment with my doctor tomorrow. The wailing is awful. Do you know if you can get recurrence 5 months after radiotherapy.

Moderators

Saxon51 - Sorry you are here and worried, but welcome to our Community!

As well as the helpful experiences you'll hear from other members here, you may be interested in checking out the main Breastcancer.org site's section on Scar Tissue Formation while you wait for your appointment tomorrow.

Please come back to let us know what you learn!

Best wishes,

From the Mods

KBeee

Keep us posted after your doctor's visit. Recurrences are possible anytime, but assume the best until proven otherwise. Scar tissue and fat necrosis re very common.

Saxon51

Thank you I will keep you posted. I am happy I have found this site as it is giving me reassurance to be able to read what other people are going through and have experienced. I have been worried sick and don’t won’t to burden my family with this yet as they were worried enough when I firs got the cancer so I don’t won’t them to know until I get some answers. Thank yo

Saxon51

Thank you I have just checked out the link you sent and had a read feeling much more confident now. The wait game is never good I just need to keep positive

Saxon51

Okay I have been to the doctor today. He is contacting my surgeon today to discuss imaging and bone scan. The rib are not great today. So I’m still quite worried. Also never mentioned my weight lose through this journey I have had a huge life style change with my diet cut sugar out gave up alcohol and nothing out of a packet . I have lost close to 15 kg in 8 months I was 64 to 65 kg now 51 to 52 kg is that normal. I have to keep telling myself it will be alright it’s all just side affects from surgery and the treatment.

hikingandhorses

Sounds like you have a lot going on "up stairs" (questions and worries flying around your head). Try instead to think of the best way to handle it - for me, my brain is very good and jumping on a run-away train to multiple future outcomes and possibilities. I found it was better for me to:

1.) Write down all of my questions and concerns - that way I don't forget to ask them.

2.) Ask my physicians if I can connect with one of their staff to ask questions in between appointments. My oncologist was very good at keeping an open door policy for questions - his nurse was always there via email to help with "we'll check" or "sounds like this but will confirm" or "let's have a look".

Weight loss CAN be cancer related but, just as much, can be a result of your big diet change. It's amazing what cutting sugar can do. When I talked to my onc about diet, he had a dietician available for me to discuss all sorts of things including how the body responds to changes.

Hopefully I've given you some tools to work with - don't let your head run away and drag you behind. Note your symptoms and talk to someone about them. Imaging and bone scans are a good direction to start. Now that you have a direction for that, there is nothing you can do on that front until those tests take place. One step at a time. And here's a hug!

KBeee

I am glad they are taking your concerns seriously. Do keep us posted. I agree about writing all questions down. I keep a running log of questions in the notes on my phone, so it's always there when I visit the doctor.

Yogatyme

I still have rib pain after 6mo...some days worse than others. I also had weight loss and, like you, made major changes in diet. I also bumped up exercise. I appreciate the alarm and think we are prone to go to the “oh no” place. While recurrence is possible, it’s more likely to be something benign. It’s good you are seeing your doc

Saxon51

Thank you everyone for you comments Im staying positive. Keeping myself busies and trying not to think about it. Will keep you updated once i hear from my surgeon. I have now started to write question down question for my next visit. I also have a breast nurse who i can ring at any time she has been a great support.