lymphedema in my breast only??

ginafish · February 2015

my breast that underwent a lumpectomy and radiation is now much bigger ( i finished radiation 4 months ago). I have no changes in my arm, only the breast which is now at least a cup size bigger. My rad doctor put me on steroids to see if that would help, it didn't. Could this be lymphedema affecting the breast only? If so, what can be done? Can i get surgury to even them out? Any insight would be very helpful.

bride · February 2015

Hi,

I had an UM with ALND followed by 30 rads. I've had a bit of truncal lymphedema -- more on the side than where my breast was. My RO told me this is not uncommon and PT has been very effective in treating it. According to my RO, many of us develop truncal lymphedema a few months afters rads. Obviouly, there's a difference in that you had a lumpectomy, but I'd urge you to check it thoroughly. Post-rads truncal lymphedema, so I've been told, can be transient and is pretty responsive to PT. Luckily, that's been true for me and I hope you have equal luck. And please keep us posted.

Best,

bride

LymphActivist · February 2015

Absolutely. Breast and truncal lymphedema is a very common result of breast surgery and/or radiotherapy--even sentinel node biopsy, especially when the tumor is in the upper-outer quadrant of the breast. The sentinel lymph node(s) is/are in the drainage pathway of the breast and when that pathway is interrupted, or the lymph vessels in the breast are irradiated, the breast cannot drain and lymphedema develops. Please see a qualified lymphedema therapist for an evaluation and treatment if required. For a further explanation see the articles in LymphActivist's Site at http://www.lymphactivist.org/breast_lymphedema-1.pdf and at http://www.lymphactivist.org/review-johansson-2014.php

lymphedema in my breast only??

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