Pain in lumpectomy site years later

I have recently felt a little tightness and some very minor pain but in my scar since I've been diagnosed metastatic to the bone and was very ill. I haven't stretched my arms and upper chest so I feel like it's coming from that. My pet scans are clear in my breast. Just tell your doctor and see what he says before too much freaking. Hugs

Hi.  Found this doing a search.  It amazes me how many times this community comes up first for many different questions and concerns we all have.  Sometimes I find others experiences helpful, other times I find myself on overload.  I try really hard to balance the two.  I really should step away from the computer more and just live my life!  

So, just wanted to drop in and say reading these past posts were helpful.  I am 10 months out of surgery and almost 6 out of rads.  About a week ago started feeling some pain, weird sensations in my left breast and some tightness under my arm which comes and goes.  It's so hard to not freak out ---but I know statistically odds are in my favor that this should not be cancer again so soon and with my grade/stage and treatment.  I don't feel anything different.   I hope it's just some sort of strain from working and I'm probably not wearing enough support.  I've pulled out the high impact sports bras (my husband calls them a vest )  Wearing for a bit to see if it helps.  I am scheduled for a mammo in early Dec. 

Staying positive if even by a thread.

Hi all. I had a lumpectomy a year ago and wanted to second what a few others have said:

Radiation is well worth it but does seem to temporarily increase pain for some women. Part of that is being put in odd positions after surgery. And many of us have metal pins in our breasts after lumpectomy.

StretchIng exercises help with that a lot! The pec muscles can really ache so keep doing your post-surgery exercises for at least a year.

A supportive, well fitting bra is a must. So many women are wearing the wrong size! It helped tremendously once I allowed a trained salesperson knowledgeable about breast surgery to fit me.

Edna_Million and DiagnosisDisruption, this thread is very interesting. I'm not sure if I'm feeling the same pain as you both are. I'm having sharp, stabbing pains in my breast (lumpectomy & re-excision), however I'm approximately 2-1/2 months post-surgery, in the middle of chemo, and haven't had radiation yet. I thought maybe it was nerve endings.

DiagnosisDisruption - maybe they hit nerves with me. I didn't think of that. I was out for the sentinal node biopsy. I was awake for the nuclear medicine dye which was four injections. We've all been through so much poking and prodding!

I have pain and soreness in my lumpectomy site - 9 years later. My surgeon said that it is just scar tissue. It will wake me up at night sometimes and i cannot wear a bra because it rubs that spot. I'm glad to know that I'm not the only one that still has pain. Every year I'm a nervous wreck because I think the cancer has come back. I'm have been on tamoxifen 20 mg since 2010 and my oncologist recommends that I stay on it for 10 years. It feels like there is a band across my upper stomach.

Hi there, Kaumen! We want to welcome you to our community here at BCO. We're sorry you're still experiencing pain, we know how frustrating that can be! But as you can see, you're certainly not alone. Hopefully other members have shared what helped them that could be of some help for you!

The Mods

I had my lumpectomy in April 2014 with 28 doses of radiation and four years of Arimidex. Occasional zaps but I am now receiving chemo for uterine cancer. After fourth chemo I started t. have pain and spasms in that breast that also seem to radiate to my shoulder . I am so scared that the breast cancer has returned or that it’s a sign of lung cancer. Has anyone else had a similar experience

Iwish IWould of known how to care for the scar as mine is so thick and growing into the nipple. The last three months i have had pain above the sergery site. I found a lump a month ago too. i was sent home to monitor it for a month . I just found another lump under my armpit on the opposite side. Seems like it never ends.

Once again very grateful to find reassurance on this site. I am 3 years out from lumpectomy. Three nodes and tissue roughly the size of a hockey puck (my surgeon's words!) right up against the muscle and rib cage were removed. This year's mammogram was normal but my breast sometimes hurts quite a bit and remains sensitive to pressure. My oncologist says the pain may never disappear completely, and it does seem to hurt more when I exercise so I try not to worry, but sometimes it's hard to ignore the pain.

My oncologist said the same thing: that the pain may never disappear completely and that I may continue to feel slight pain and twinges for a long time.

Dear steger,

Welcome to the BCO community. We are sorry for what brings you here but so glad that you reached out to our members. We are sure that you will find support and helpful information here from the shared experiences of others. We hope that you will stay connected. Let us know if you need any help finding your way around.

The Mods

mom2bunky - The post lumpectomy/radiation mammogram had me panicking as well (because it will get more painful with radiation, I'm sorry to say). I actually stalled in scheduling it. When I finally went, I took 3 ibuprofen beforehand and then I told the tech straight out that I was freaked out. She was very gentle and used the manual dial versus the foot dial to "squish it". Much more tolerable and I felt like she was in more control.

Also, look into lymphatic drainage massage for the breast. After surgery and radiation I had horrible chest lymphadema. The therapist worked wonders. I do still have some pain, ironically in the spot completely away from the surgery site. Oncologist says lymphadema still.

I just logged in again after being away from BC.org. I got much comfort from this site when I needed it. And again, I’m feeling relief of the worry about pain in the lumpectomy area and underarm. I been to the doctor and had my yearly mammogram. All clear👏🏻, but the pain at night still wakes me. After reading some on this thread, I think I’m going to shop for a sports bra.

Thanks everyone for being here