Dull Itching Pain in Shoulder Blade

Options
crs003
crs003 Member Posts: 73
edited September 2016 in Not Diagnosed With a Recurrence or Metastases but Concerned

Hi,

Its been one year since my last chemo treatment for Stage 2 Triple Negative Breast Cancer, and nine months since my last radiation treatment. A few months ago I noticed a strange itch and soreness to the touch on my affected side shoulder blade. My oncologist thought the itch may have been related to radiation but it persisted, and on my next visit I was much more forceful about it not being normal back pain. She again thought it could be something like shingles, but I had no rash. My insurance would only approve an MRI as a first scan, before anything else, so she ordered an MRI.

The MRI showed negative for cancer, but did show something called a Syrinx, which is a rare condition of a cyst in the spine, usually related to childhood genetic disorders which I don't have. My Syrinx was very small, 1-3 mm from T1-T7 and they think that it is nothing that needs more action for now. I was also reading that it is almost always present with cancer, but since it didn't show any cancer, I'm stumped. My oncologist decided to also order a bone scan for a better picture. I am getting the scan today.

I was wondering if anyone has any experience with this feeling, an itchy soreness to the touch on the back and shoulder blade. I am constantly scratching my back with a back scratcher, but I have to press hard into the muscle to feel any relief. Any wondering if anyone has any experience with a Syrinx, either associated with cancer or not. Thank you.

· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • KBeee
    KBeee Member Posts: 5,109
    edited September 2016

    I have not had that (just pain in my shoulder blade since rads) but I do get similar sensations other places on my affected side which I think may be due to nerve damage from surgery and radiation. Keep us posted on the bone scan. Hoping for all good news.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Brightsky
    Brightsky Member Posts: 45
    edited September 2016

    I have had this itch! Very recently. It was a strange "nerve like" itch if that makes sense. It was at the bottom of my right shoulder blade next to my spine. I had my husband look at it. Nothing on the skin surface but the area was VERY tender to touch. It made me jump when he pushed it. The itch lasted about 4 days then it improved but I just had him push on it again and it is still very tender. I also have TNBC. I'm kinda waiting this out and some other weird stuff going on right now. I just saw my oncologist and I had my hips and knees x-rayed due to pain. All fine. This "itch" happened after my recentappointment. I should mention that I did not have radiation. Also my ALP is steadily rising. Still normal ((106) but my baseline before chemo and a few weeks after chemo was in the 50,s and 60's. Please keep us posted.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Categories