Nipple nipple thickening and scaling after rads anyone ?

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Hope14
Hope14 Member Posts: 40
edited June 2014 in Radiation Therapy - Before, During, and After

I finished 5 course weeks of radiation treatment in dec 2013. I had the worst local reaction ever, i recovered however my nipple is very thick now with scales. Sometimes its more soft. But you know how nipples change in normal situation with being sensitive to temperature and other conditions. I know how my nipple used to be prior treatment. Is the thickening is a normal change after radiation in the nipple or its something i should check it out. Please anyone experienced a thickened scaled nipple after radiation ? Thanks. 

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  • rettemich
    rettemich Member Posts: 369
    edited June 2014

    I hope someone can answer this. I have been kind of arguing with my RO as my poor nipple is taking the brunt of the rads.I have asked repeatedly if there is a way to decrease the impact on it. I'm afraid this will happen to me too. Of course I get the usual, in layman's terms, suck it up buttercup.

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  • Hope14
    Hope14 Member Posts: 40
    edited June 2014

    hello Rettimich. Im glad someone posted something on my thread as i thought im the only one who got nipple thickening and scaling. Did you finish your rads already? I asked my Gp few days ago if thats something i should worry about. As they say scaling/ thickening of nipple are sign of BC too. However in my case it was caused by rads and the dr said not to worry about. So rads cause the same signs of BC sometimes !!ironic and confusing. My nipple is so thickened and i hope it wont turn into something bad im the future. What bothers me most is the discomfort and pain ad the nipple hold all the breast gravity of the breast. Having dense breasts my nipple in the affected breast since ive done my lumpectomy and rads is always super sensitive and sore. Hard to live with that but i try NOT to wear a bra most of my days. Not even cotton bras as they squeeze on my breasts and stop the fluids drainage thru the lymphatic system which add more pain to my breast. Note thatci had the worst reaction ever to rads. My breast was FRIED. I still remember the horrible pain...

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  • 70charger
    70charger Member Posts: 963
    edited June 2014

    I think "maybe" that is called fibrosis? My RO when I saw him 3 mos post rad, took one look & said that it was called fibrosis. Do lots of massage/ or your partner, giggle.

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  • bandwoman1234
    bandwoman1234 Member Posts: 5,542
    edited June 2014


    Hi Rettemich,

    I too had trouble with my nipple early on in rads. I think I noticed it even the first or second week and long before I started to turn red. I asked my RO about it when it was getting really painful. She gave me some samples of Mepilex 4" by 4" foam pads. I ended up buying my own online. They are expensive. Basically $5 a pad. They can be used for more than just one day. It really did help me quite a bit. Tomorrow I start my boosts and will have only seven more treatments to go. I am not sure if the nipple will get zapped in the boosts or not. I am hoping not. I hope you can find something that will help. Yes, there is a certain amount of sucking it up or as one of my friends says putting on the big girl panties but there are some things that actually do help. Ask your RO if they have any pads like I use. Unfortunately I could not find anything like it at the local pharmacy. Good luck. Hang in there. It will be over before you know it. I can't believe I can see the end in sight. In some ways it was like time stood still and in other ways I can't believe all of these weeks have gone by.

     

    Bandwoman1234

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