Question on Lymph Node Tenderness After Stereotactic Biopsy

Options
NSJ2
NSJ2 Member Posts: 227
edited December 2015 in Just Diagnosed

Hi All

I have had under arm lymph node tenderness 2 weeks post Stereotactic biopsy (core needle). My surgeon and the nurse navigator tell me that is to be expected (aka normal).

 Just checking if anyone else has experienced the same 2+ weeks after their biopsy.

Thanks in advance for your replies.

NSJ

· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
«1

Comments

  • NSJ2
    NSJ2 Member Posts: 227
    edited September 2012

    So no one else has had under arm lymph node soreness 2 weeks after their stereotactic biopsy???

     Anyone?

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Infobabe
    Infobabe Member Posts: 1,083
    edited September 2012

     NSJ2 

    I saw your post and did not answer because I have not had nodes removed, but a friend I met here on this web site had terrible pain that hung on for a long time.  

    I guess when they take the nodes, they mess around with the tissue, disrupting it causing the pain.  Since node removal is not an easy operation, you are going to get a big range of experiences.  I will see if I can find the info from my friend to relay to you. 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Infobabe
    Infobabe Member Posts: 1,083
    edited September 2012

     NSJ2

    I just checked one of her emails and more than 6 weeks after the operation she was experiencing terrible pain.  I don't feel at liberty to lift what she said to me but it was pretty extreme.  She had her surgey by a breast surgeon at a major hospital so it was not a matter of the skill of the surgeon.

    I just heard from her yesterday and she has recovered from the node situation.  So there is light at the end of the tunnel. 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • NSJ2
    NSJ2 Member Posts: 227
    edited September 2012

    Hi there infobabe, and thank you so much for responding.

    The pain in my lymph nodes are not due to a lymph node biopsy or surgery. My left under arm lymph nodes became tender and sore after having a stereotactic biopsy on the lump in my left breast  2+ weeks ago.

    I'm checking to see if anyone else has had lymph node soreness 2+ weeks after a stereotactic lump biopsy. Same breast side as the lymph nodes that are sore.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Infobabe
    Infobabe Member Posts: 1,083
    edited September 2012

    It makes me wonder if the nodes got infected.  You need to see your surgeon if you haven't already.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • NSJ2
    NSJ2 Member Posts: 227
    edited September 2012

    Hi again infobabe

    If you re-read my first post, I say "that my surgeon said it's normal to feel the soreness".

    But I'm asking if anyone else here has experienced the same lymph node soreness after having their breast biopsy.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Infobabe
    Infobabe Member Posts: 1,083
    edited September 2012

    Well, I don't get it.  He said it is normal, but if it is so normal, how come no one here has commented on it.

    Maybe with this bump, someone will.  

    I have been haunting these boards for 6 months and I don't recall a question like this. 

    You are on the "just diagnosed" board so maybe if you ask the question on one of the treatment sites, you may have more exposure to women like yourself.

    Good luck!!  Sorry I couldn't be of more help.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • NSJ2
    NSJ2 Member Posts: 227
    edited September 2012

    Thanks again infobabe. Have a fine day.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • KellieDenise66
    KellieDenise66 Member Posts: 122
    edited September 2012

    Dear NSJ2,



    Yes, yes, yes! I am experiencing the very same tenderness. I am almost a month out from my biopsy and it's just now starting to settle down a bit. I've been a basket case about it too. I've decided to go with a BMX and I'm not scheduled until 9-27. I have seen several doctors in the process of selecting a surgical team and each one of them have reassured me that this pain and tenderness can be expected after biopsies. Meanwhile my mind Im going down the dark & scary road. (I'm a bit of a worrier by nature.) I actually just emailed my surgeon a couple of days ago with my ongoing concern about this discomfort and these are her exact words:



    "Most commonly this is aggravated nerve pain from the biopsy procedure with the possibility of an inflamed lymph node that's workin overtime from trying to assist the healing process from the breast biopsy." she also suggested Tylenol in combination with ice packs for 10-15 minutes at a time and potentially every hour. The pain was actually keeping me up at night. Kind of felt like a nagging toothache which leads me to believe this is all nerve related. The ice packs and Tylenol are helping.



    Hope this gives you some peace of mind. This process is frightening I know. I'm working really hard on not letting this fear paralyze me. This website community has been a lifeline for me. Wishing you the very best!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited September 2012

    They did a sentinel node biopsy during my first lumpectomy which is different from the sterotactic biopsy. The pain and discomfort from the removal of that node was by far the most uncomfortable part of that procedure. I don't remember having any pain following the stereotactic biopsy.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • NSJ2
    NSJ2 Member Posts: 227
    edited September 2012

    Thank you SOOOOOO much for responding, Denise.

    So you had a breast lump biopsy and your under arm nodes are tender too. I thought it was so strange to have tender lymph nodes 2+ weeks after the biopsy. But my surgeon and the nurse navigator said it's common for many women. Some have nothing and some experience the lumphnode pain.

    I've been taking tylenol for it, but I don't like taking it for too many days in a row. It can be hard on one's liver. Everytime the lymphnode tenderness starts to get better, I get examined at the biopsy site and the pain starts back up again, albeit a bit less each time. Jeeeez!!!!

    I can't tell you how glad I am to hear you have had the same experience, although I'm truly very sorry you're having any pain.

    Lord knows what will happen with those very sensitive lymphnodes when the actual lumpectomy occurs, I may need morphine after that (j/k).

    Just thank you again Denise. I feel you've saved my sanity, or what I have left since this all started exactly 32 days ago, another lifetime ago.

    Lv,

    NSJ2

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • NSJ2
    NSJ2 Member Posts: 227
    edited September 2012

    Thank you for the info, Beth. 

    Right now my surgeon's treatment plan does not include a SNB.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • KellieDenise66
    KellieDenise66 Member Posts: 122
    edited September 2012

    Hi again NSJ2,



    I feel the same way about Tylenol! Although docs don't want you taking any kind of anti inflammatory with up coming surgeries or biopsies. Try the ice as well. It does actually take the edge off.



    Does your breast ache too? I had my biopsy 7-25, then an 8-1 MRI which revealed two other suspicious spots which were biopsied 8-3 (my 46th bday woo hoo) !

    They ended up being negative but somewhere in that process the achIng and lymph node irritation started.



    Keep us posted on your lumpectomy. Hope you heal swiftly!



    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • beacon800
    beacon800 Member Posts: 922
    edited September 2012

    After my stereotactic biopsy I got a hematoma and then the same side underarm lymph node swelled up to be at least one inch long and it did hurt.  It was very big, soft and squishy.  This was 100% due to the trauma of the procedure and hematoma and had nothing to do with anything else.  It ultimately went down, (I don't remember how long it took).  My surgeon told me some women have the nodes go up and stay up for a long while after biopsy.  Your symptoms are normal.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • KellieDenise66
    KellieDenise66 Member Posts: 122
    edited September 2012

    Thank you beacon800!!!! And thank you NSJ2 for starting this thread!!!! It's great to hear some reassuring news.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • NSJ2
    NSJ2 Member Posts: 227
    edited September 2012

    Hi Denise

    Good luck with your 9/27 surgery. If its okay, can I ask what your diagnosis is?

    Lv,

    NSJ2

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • NSJ2
    NSJ2 Member Posts: 227
    edited September 2012

    Hi again Denise

    My breast did ache for a while, one night it felt like it was on fire! But what hurt the most were the tender lymph nodes. I will try icing, thank you so much for that tip. So far today the LN are feeling a bit better. Hope I haven't jinx'd things by saying that.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • NSJ2
    NSJ2 Member Posts: 227
    edited September 2012

    Thanks so much for letting us know you too had lymph node soreness after breast biopsy, Beacon. Helps to know others have had the same experience. 

    NSJ2

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Outdamnedspot
    Outdamnedspot Member Posts: 297
    edited September 2012

    I am experiencing some discomfort as well in the lymph node area, though three weeks later it is less.  The bruising was quite bad as well and is finally fading.  Still feel a little swollen too.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • bennymuffins
    bennymuffins Member Posts: 412
    edited September 2012

    NSJ2, I had my biopsy on August 21 and I am still sore. There's a very tender lump, size of a small baseball, in that spot and it's so tender I cannot even touch it. I am still having to wear bras to bed and during baths (fun). It is still swollen in that area.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • KellieDenise66
    KellieDenise66 Member Posts: 122
    edited September 2012

    Dear NSJ2,

    Oh my goodness I'm so sorry I've taken so long to respond. I'm just learning how to navigate my way around this website and I had trouble finding my way back to this thread. I also added a change to my log in. I originally logged in under my middle name. My first name is Kellie!



    I hope you are doing well and that your lymph nodes have calmed down a bit. I'm still experiencing some tenderness, have an ice pack on right now as I type. : ) having said that I actually had a couple days where I only mildly noticed it. Kinda strange I know! I had an apt with a new BS yesterday and he actually said the fact that I'm experiencing so much anxiety is also most likely perpetuating the tenderness. When I think about his comment it really does make sense. My nerves are absolutely raw with emotion, and I feel very worn down from the this whole process.



    Now to answer your question. I was diagnosed with low grade DCIS ER+ PR + her2- I have a bit of a complex medical history. Had a questionable blood clot about 10 yrs ago after a long long flight. It was very hard to diagnose, I had a ton of vascular and radiological tests done, and redone, also a few exploratory surgeries to see why my whole leg was swollen. It was quite a scary time. I was left with permanent nerve pain in that leg. Since then I've had my thyroid removed do to an autoimmune disease. Then gallbladder and THEN a series of gyn surgeries for ovarian cysts, pelvic ablation, appendix and finally a complete hysterectomy for pre uterine cancer that came out of nowhere! I had that just this last May. I feel like im having a living organ harvest. I'm running out of parts! So basically after weighing all my options, I've decided on a BMX. I've been told that I'm not a good candidate for tamoxifen with my blood clot history, and I'm also not able to take any HRT if I have a lumpectomy. I was wearing a hormone patch from the time of my hysterectomy. As soon as I found out I was ER+ I ripped that thing right off. So you can imagine how fun it must be in my household now! Lol! No hormones, and a cancer diagnosis. My poor dear husband! He'd probably run away if he wasnt so darn tired,



    Sorry to carry on with my whole medical history. : ) please take good care of yourself. I wish you great peace in your life especially during this trying and stressful time. I'd love to hear how you're doing! Feel free to send me a private message if you'd like.

    Take care,

    Kellie

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • MajorMom
    MajorMom Member Posts: 7
    edited September 2012

    I just started reading today being newly diagnosed.  I have had under arm pain since the needle biopsy as swell as a lump which was not there beore and terrible bruising.  I have beentold it is all normal, but I don't believe them

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • NSJ2
    NSJ2 Member Posts: 227
    edited September 2012

    Today is day 26 since my left breast biopsy and my lymph nodes are better. Not hurting.

    BUT, I've been tracking the LN pain occurences. Since day 6, it's been approx 2+ days of soreness, then 4 - 5 days of improvement where the pain completely disappears altogether. Nothing of significance external to my breast happens in between to cause the pain.

    Each time I cycle thru these pain/no pain days, the pain days' "pain" is much less.

    I fear once I go for the Lumpectomy, I'll be revisiting this painful lymph node cycle. Better get my big girl panties on for that one.

    NSJ2

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Infobabe
    Infobabe Member Posts: 1,083
    edited September 2012

    NSJ2

    Do you know why you are having so much treatment for Stage 0 grade 1?   Why were they taking nodes?  Normally they don't take nodes for that.

    Cannot predict how your lumpectomy will go but I only took about 1 Tylenol.   Actually, my biopsy was a lot more traumatic than the lumpectomy but neither one hurt very much.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • NSJ2
    NSJ2 Member Posts: 227
    edited September 2012

    This was a stereotactic biopsy on a breast lump, not on lymph nodes Infobabe.

    Since that breast biopsy, I've had tender and painful lymph nodes (same side as biopsy). Both surgeons I consulted with said it was normal, as did a few of the other poster's doctors on this thread told them.

    They tell us some women have a lot of lymph node soreness sometimes for a long time, and some have nothing.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • NSJ2
    NSJ2 Member Posts: 227
    edited September 2012

    And oh btw, a very dear friend and colleague of mine of 25 years was just diagnosed in July, IDC.

    She too had very sore and tender lymph nodes after her stereotactic breast biopsy. It lasted 5+ weeks and was very painful. Said she also got stabbing pains in her breast due to nerves trying to grow back after that biopsy.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • NSJ2
    NSJ2 Member Posts: 227
    edited September 2012

    Just wondering if anyone else here has had lymph node soreness weeks after their breast stereotactic biopsy.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Chickenlady
    Chickenlady Member Posts: 22
    edited September 2012

    I've had the same experience...so am glad someone else can confirm their experiences as well. Thanks

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • SuzyQ2012
    SuzyQ2012 Member Posts: 31
    edited September 2012

    I am scheduled for a stereotactic biopsy on 9/25.  I am dreading it!

    So, I can't tell you about the pain yet, but I will say that I have had shooting pains in both breasts ever since my diagnostic mammo, and they only did one side!  Perhaps, the pain is from the first screening mammo?  Not sure, yesterday was the first painfree day I had in about a week!  Dreading the stereo biopsy.....have I mentioned that?

    How long was it for results from the biopsy?  I'm hoping for a quick turn around!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • NSJ2
    NSJ2 Member Posts: 227
    edited September 2012

    Hi Suzy

    Not all women experience pain after a breast stereotactic biopsy. My pain showed up 4-5 days after the procedure, felt like burning in my underarm lymph nodes and my breast felt like it was on fire one particular night, lymph node pain lasted approx 4-5 days. Then it went away and came back again 3-4 days later. That cycle went on for nearly 3+ weeks.

    Yes, it hurt, but was of more concern is NO ONE TOLD ME I would be hurting. The literature said you'll experience "discomfort" for approx a week after surgery.

    My biopsy results came back 2 days. I think that is a typical turn-around time.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Categories