Skin damage after a few years

Elfmcg

Hi everyone,

I had radiation for breast cancer at the start of 2018, and as soon as I recovered, I had orange peel skin on the radiated breast, and also my areola and nipple area has a very leathery feel. Ive gone to all of my check ups and was always told that it was normal etc

I had a baby mid June, and noticed under my arm around my scar tissue felt a bit different, so I went in to the breast clinic and had an ultrasound and mammogram, which came back essentially normal except for an area of skin thickening on the inner boob which the doctor felt was normal due to pregnancy changes and radiation damage inflammation. I had a clinical review six weeks later where I was examined by another doctor who said basically that radiation is the gift that keeps on giving and increased inflammation can happen for years later.

I just wanted to see has anyone else experienced this? it's especially bad on the areola, it's as if the whole thing is thick and leathery and defined, especially when cold etc, and I definitely think it's gotten a little worse.

Thanks ladies

MinusTwo

Elf - if you didn't get PT, go find someone who understands the 'gift' of radiation and can teach you how to stretch & move. My RO was wonderful and sent me immediately to PT. Yes, you will need to stretch it out every day forever.

Elfmcg

Thanks @MinusTwo,

I never did PT, never was mentioned.

When you say I will need to 'stretch it out' are you saying I should stretch the skin of my areola and nipple with my fingers? Is there much point after this long? Could it get worse if I don't?

Thank you

flashlight

Elfmcg , I have something similar and my MO said to stretch daily. I read a post where it was suggested to softly massage your surgical site. There are some youtube videos on how to stretch. I like the wall crawling/clapping the best.

MinusTwo

Elf - you're far enough out that I mean stretch - like move your arm & chest. Sign up for Silver Sneakers or Yoga or something. Of course you can do skin massage, but I don't think that will enough. Think of grabbing hold of a rubber band and stretching it out. It's always a good idea to talk to your doc first before any new plan - and start slowly of course.

Elfmcg

Great @flashlight, thanks, I will check out those videos.

@MinusTwo, I do a lot of yoga and use bands, but that stretching wouldn't touch this, as my breasts are quite big and this is on the nipple/areola. Thanks though

MinusTwo

Hmm - puzzling Elf. You didn't mention - are you nursing? And you've already seen two docs? If the last exam was the end of the summer, I think I'd schedule a breast exam for November. Or call your GYN to see how much the nursing would skew the answer.

Elfmcg

@MinusTwo, neither of the doctors thought it Was odd at all, it's my whole breast, like the flesh is orange peel with some large pores and the nipole/areola tightens to a leathery texture which has gotten slightly worse over the years.

I had a mammo and us about eight weeks ago, and the follow up check last Friday. I'm not nursing, it hasn't changed since I gave birth. Milk came in under my arm and the texture of my scar changed which is what alarmed me, but that resolved in a couple of weeks. The radiographer noted the slight change in skin thickness to the inner breast, but they all felt it was in line with radiation changes

MinusTwo

Elf - I'm out of ideas except to go see yet another breast specialist. Please let us know what happens.

Elfmcg

Thanks MinusTwo,

I'm not actually worried about it as I've been assured its normal, I just wanted to see has anyone else had this and if it was still worth my while stretching the skin at this stage, but thanks for the advice.

Eigna

Elf - is your peau d’orange all over the breast or just part of your breast? Do you have other symptoms? Redness? Swelling?

Elfmcg

HI @Eigna,

No, the peau d'orange is covering some areas that were radiated nearly three years ago, they have not changed in all the time and have been checked loads of times. I have no other symptoms of redness or swelling. Just as I say, after I had my baby in June, my mammogram came back with an area of slight thickening, which the doctors weren't worried about, and it just drew my attention to my nipple and areola which has been thick, leathery and shrivelled and lacking pigment in parts since lumpectomy and radiation and I'm not sure if it's gotten slightly worse over the years, and I just wanted to know if anyone else had this?

Thanks