Internal Itching after BMx, is cancer coming back?

JRNJ

It is 16 months after my bmx. No reconstruction yet after tissue expanders removed due to infection. A lot of excess skin that has healed. I am experiencing random itching in my cancer side only below the scar in the area of excess skin, left over breast tissue. A second opinion post surgery told me I have excess breast tissue left that should be removed during reconstruction. Seems to correlate to taking meds like AIs, celebrex, eating a lot of sugar. So my thoughts are that the cancer is regrowing and reacting to anything that affects estrogen. I don't feel any lumps, but I have had LCIS and ILC which is sneaky and hard to detect. I think the LCIS was growing for over 10 years, it was 13 cm. Is it nerves regenerating? Can that happen so long after surgery? Why only the cancer side?

Beesie

I don't know what's causing your itch, but post-mastectomy itching is a common problem.

Topic: Will I ever stop itching? https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/91/topics...

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Topic: Phantom Itching 2 years post reconstruction https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/91/topics...

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I had brutal phantom itching for years. I get it only rarely now, and it's less severe, but I'm 15 years out.

Hopefully yours isn't the sign of anything but normal post-MX itching, and it doesn't last long.

MikaMika

JRNJ,

You will have reconstruction soon. Ask them to send ALL specimens to pathology for your peace of mind.

My first thought is about radiation SEs. As I read, SEs like radiation dermatitis and fibrosis can occur even years after the treatment.

Also, as I remember my PS told me that I am impatient (it was about pain) and nerve regeneration may take years.

So there are so many reasons not related to cancer.

JRNJ

Thanks Beesie and MikaMika for talking me off the ledge!! I’ll check out those links. I thought I had seen some posts like that. It does occur on my non cancer side too but much more on the cancer side. Can nerve regeneration cause inflammation contributing to the pain in my arms and leg?

I asked him to remove excess breast tissue. I assume he will send it to lab but you are right I should ask.

WC3

JRNJ:

I occasionally get internal itching on the cancer side in my chest wall under the implant. I can't get to it to scratch it and the only thing that seems to help is to put the surgical bra back on. My tumor was isolated from my chest wall due to it's location and I have no sign of local recurrence on imaging so I think in my case it is just nerves in scar tissue.

LivinLife

I"m only just over 4 months out from BMX... My itching has improved tremendously, esp. from about the 2 or 2 1/2 month mark... I still get itching, actually worse on non-DCIS side, nearly every night. It happens more when I'm warmer (watching t.v. with blanket pulled up around me) or when not wearing something under my shirt and my shirt has something even a little texturally. I find placing some mild or moderate pressure on the area using my hands helps quite a bit - seems to help reach "deeper down" since it's not a superficial skin itch. Also taking the blanket off my chest area if I believe it's warmth triggered or putting on a camisole or sports bra or something underneath my "primary" top. I believe in my case most of it is nerve regeneration. I also have a rare neurovascular disorder and know any kind of warmth or heat also sets off my nerves.... I hope you get good news when they investigate your concerns more....

Beesie

JRNJ, maybe I'm just someone prone to itching (well, I know I am) but I thought about another example of post-surgical itching that I've had. I had a small mole removed from my leg. It had been there forever but started to itch so I asked my Derm to remove it. She thought it looked fine but agreed. Turns out it was a pre-cancer. What was interesting is that the scar and surrounding area continued to itch. I asked the Derm about it and she said it was normal. Eventually it stopped itching but it took years.

So I doubt that your itching is anything other than a normal reaction, whether it's nerves regenerating or just phantom itching or something else that causes extended post-surgical itching. Still, it's good that you will get the reassurance from having the excess tissue removed and checked when have reconstruction. Do you have timing for that?

Beesy_The_Other_One

JRNJ, I had my BMX without reconstruction two years ago this month. My left side (cancer side) itches a lot--particularly, it seems, in the morning when I first wake. I also tend toward itchiness where my cleavage was, but never on my right side. Like MikaMika, I attributed it to radiation SE's, because the itchy side was radiated and the right side was not. I kept thinking it would improve as time went by but it has not--not yet, anyway!

LillyIsHere

JRNJ, I am following you or you are following me, of course, we are on the same boat

Same as you, I have this itch that comes and goes where the cancer was found and a biopsy with a large hematoma was located. It tends to look like a bruise when night comes and I get tired. The location seems like under the skin above the muscle since implants are under the muscle. When I asked MO in August, he said to ask PS but probably it is nothing. My theory is probably that part was traumatized because of 4 hr biopsy and it is still recovering even after 1.5 yr after surgery. Can it be? I didn't have radiation.

LivinLife

Lilly, Interesting about the "bruise" area that comes and goes and seems more present at night when you are tired... I did not have radiation or reconstruction and have a similar area that comes and goes on my DCIS side though not a hematoma. The P.A. did not see it though my lymphedema therapist saw it more than once while I was seeing her. "still recovering even after 1.5 yr. after surgery. Can it be?" I'm glad you've spoken to your docs first and foremost. My L.T. told me my tissues are still healing even 4 months post surgery and I will need at least a year for tissues to heal - I'm also a "slow healer." A year is typical for nerve regeneration - that can even still happen up to 2 years though most of that occurs the first year after "trauma." Just hadn't really thought about the tissues underneath taking so long. My incision looks fantastic! though I had a negative pressure wound vac put on at the end of surgery. Your story helped me b/c even a few weeks after L.T. ended that area is still there....guess I'll just make friends with it : )

JRNJ

Thanks everyone for the input. Helps to hear that it is fairly "normal". And I actually do get some itching on the noncancer side too sometimes, but much more on the cancer side.

Beesie, I have DIEP scheduled for 1/29. Was supposed to be 1/7, but the "new" scheduler messed up because she didn't know my surgeon needed "help" and cancelled on me a week before. So tired of not being able to trust anyone, and not getting good care, but that's another thread......

MikaMika

Hi JRNJ,

How are you? I hope your surgery went well and you are happy with your results. I also wish you a quick recovery!

RandeeR

I have had post mastectomy/reconstruction itching for about 15 years. Mostly at night, in shoulder blades and around both breasts. Reconstructed with implants which have leaked 2x and been replaced. I have tried many of the things above with little success, but PCP suggested Sarna Sensitive lotion, available OTC at most drugstores. The generic ingredient is Pramoxine Hydrochloride. Cerave also makes it, also generics. I usually can calm the itching with this lotion, get to sleep and it will stay calm through the night. So happy to hear I am not nuts!

Moderators

RandeeR, we really appreciate you joining and sharing this with the others. No, you're not nuts We really love when people share all their tips, so keep them coming! Warmly, The Mods