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MissyMac's avatar
MissyMac
Member
6 years ago

Is this normal?

Hi all, I don’t post much, but have been part of the group for a while.  I’ve been able to find most of the answers to my questions in other people’s threads, but not this one.

I had a lumpectomy in October 2018 to remove 4 tumours in left breast, the largest was 3.5cm, the other 3 were in a group and all about 1cm.  They also removed a few lymph nodes that were clear.  A second surgery 2 weeks later to get clear margins, then 5 weeks of radiation, which finished a few days before Christmas.

My concern is that my breast is still pretty swollen and a bit sore. (I am having physio occasionally to help relieve a golf ball sized lump of scar tissue and fluid) plus I now have thickening on the underside of my breast, well away from either surgical site and my breast is hotter than the other again.  

The thickening of the underside of my breast is new, only noticed it a couple of weeks ago.  After radiation my breast was hotter than the other for some time, but gradually got better.  Is it normal for the heat thing to re-occur 5 months after radiation has finished? 

I had my first 6 monthly check up in March and got the all clear.  Except for that golf ball sized lump the doctor was happy, so I’m not worried that cancer has returned, but I can’t understand these new changes.

Any advice would be much appreciated, I’m freaking out a bit.

thanks!
  • Glad you've made the appointment. A new hot breast could indicate underlying infection. ..hopefully not, but best it's checked. 
  • Thanks ladies, I’ve made an appointment with my GP for next week, but if it gets any worse I’ll check in with the McGrath nurse at my surgeons rooms. I really appreciate your advice ladies, my family goes into panic mode if I mention any problems and my mind isn’t needing any encouragement to go to the worst possible scenario, so thanks for keeping me level headed. 😉
  • I agree, get it checked to be safe.  Re the soreness, I had a lumpectomy for a tumour that was about 1cm, and some lymph nodes removed for checking and was still having a little pain 2 years later.  The surgeon told me that it takes quite a while for the body to heal.
  • @MissyMac 
    Get it checked out!  Any sign of heat and or redness is worth checking.  You say it is swollen!  
    An infection can occur any time - there's no rhyme or reason - there's no silly question and the Dr will be pleased that you did, regardless of what it is - better to be safe than sorry!
    Take care and get it checked!
  • Thanks Brenda5 for the reassurance on the thickening.  I will keep watch, I am worried about the same thing. I just can’t understand how it could get infected so long after treatment.  I hate not knowing what the ‘new normal’ is yet.
  • The thickening is normal especially if you aren't wearing a suspension bra any more. I don't wear one at all now and I have a thickening on the lower end of my breast. The heat thing, keep vigilant on that. It can be a sign of an underlying infection starting or just your body trying to get over the scar tissue.