cording and radiation

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MNLinda
MNLinda Member Posts: 204
edited June 2014 in Radiation Therapy - Before, During, and After

I have six treatments down and 27 to go, and I have some serious cording in the right axilla.  When I saw my surgeon last week, she felt the cording and told me I need to work on that, because it will get tighter with the radiation.  When I saw my PT this week, she said she can't really get in there and work on it till the rads are over.  Getting mixed messages here - what should I be doing?  Right now I'm just doing stretches and rubbing the area with aloe vera gel. 

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  • blueballoon
    blueballoon Member Posts: 14
    edited June 2010

    I just finished several weeks of PT at a lymphedema therapy clinic.  I had terrible cording, and my PT worked on it the whole time I was doing radiation.  If she hadn't, I would have been completely unable to move my arm.  The PT told me that it's important not to push into the center of armpit area (I had full axilliary dissection and was being radiated in the armpit); but she worked the sides and the area above the armpit a lot.  She used special techniques and they worked.  I think you need to find a PT who has more experience with radiation.

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  • MNLinda
    MNLinda Member Posts: 204
    edited June 2010

    My PT has a similar approach to yours, I think - I had cording all down the arm to the wrist, and she did work on softening that up.  But the surgeon specifically told me to massage the center of the axilla right where I was getting radiated.  The PT said doctors don't agree on whether that should be done - some think it might spread cancer cells - so they are taught to stay away from the axilla till after radiation is complete.

    It's really unsettling when the medical professionals you're working with don't agree on something like that.  How in the world am I supposed to know what to do if they don't? 

    I finished the radiation on the 10th, and I'm going back to the PT next week.  The cording is still really visible in the armpit area, but much better in the arm.  I was afraid I would just tighten up completely during the rads, but I have pretty good range of motion.

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  • blueballoon
    blueballoon Member Posts: 14
    edited June 2010

    I think my PT didn't want to push deep into the armpit because she was concerned that she would mat down the lymph nodes and vessels even more. I told her that according to my pathology report, one of my lymph nodes was cut in half and only half was removed; and then she told me that there was a possibility that the remaining half could resurrect itself and start working again.  She said that there is a possibility that any of the radiated lymph nodes could start working again, so "Don't touch it!"   Four weeks after my last radiation, I went to my massage therapist and that was the first time he went into my armpit.  I stopped him because it hurt way too much, but it was a bit late.  It's now a week later, and my armpit still hurts a lot.  I'm going to treat my center of my armpit with tender loving care from now on.

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  • Dovehome
    Dovehome Member Posts: 57
    edited June 2010

    can yo please explain what cording is?

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  • OneBadBoob
    OneBadBoob Member Posts: 1,386
    edited June 2010

    Bumping up for Kira!

    Also, please see http://www.stepup-speakout.org/Cording_and_Axillary_Web_Syndrome.htm

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  • Dovehome
    Dovehome Member Posts: 57
    edited June 2010

    Thx onebadboob,  I'm working on gettng in more exercise which will help allover range.  My main concern for me is the nerve damage from axillary surgery area; everyday I experience the pain where I stretch for something (thinking I'm not pushing the stretch) and low and behold there's that dare shooting pain!

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  • pj12
    pj12 Member Posts: 25,402
    edited June 2010

    I am one year post radiation and until recently still had a lot of tightness in the armpit and some cording under my breast. I have been pretty good about stretching but little help. So... I started swimming 3 x a week for 20-30 minutes a time. It has really helped! We don't have a pool but I went to a nearby motel and asked if I could use their pool for a small fee. I go at 9:00 AM and always have it to myself.  I haven't had PT so can't say it might not have helped as much but not as much fun.

    Good wishes to all.

    pam 

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  • kira66715
    kira66715 Member Posts: 4,681
    edited June 2010

    MNLinda,

      Jane put in the link about axillary web syndrome, which is cording, which is "thrombosed" or clotted lymphatics due to the trauma of the axillary surgery. It's very, very common, and can run down your entire arm, and the cords can last a long time, although the worst part of it usually resolves on its own in 3 months or less.

    I work in rad onc, and I find a lot of cording, as women tend to be close to their surgery. It is true that when you are radiating the breast, you're causing a lot of inflammation in the area, and most whole breast irradiation fields include the lower portion of the arm pit.

    That said, some GENTLE stretching should be fine--some over head stretches, and laying on your back with your arms overhead, and twisting your knees toward the good side.

    I found the tightness after radiation and a whooping case of axillary web has lasted quite some time: it's much better, but I still need to stretch every day.

    I'll put the link in again:

    http://www.stepup-speakout.org/Cording_and_Axillary_Web_Syndrome.htm

    Kira

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