Cancer Research UK main site
  • Replies 2 replies
  • Views 276 views
  • Users 0 members are here

Cancer lumpectomy & sentinel node removal

Sandtina
Offline

lovely people 

I had a left sided lumpectomy with sentinel node removal on 29th July '2022' followed by 2.5weeks of radiotherapy.(last day of treatment was 24th October) Im 1.5 months into taking Tamoxifen(with no side effects as yet) tired/exhaustion is my main thing at the moment having said this i have returned back to work full time since beginning of November.

For the last 2weeks I've been in pain on/around scar site. My whole boob, upto & under arm pit. The pain is like a pulling & dragging type pain & feels like a ball of fire & my arm feels really heavy most of the time I also have swelling to the side of the boob & nipple is itchy & crusty like. 
I've also discovered a lump under my armpit & it can feel a very thin line from the top of my scar running up to the lump under my armpit.

I do my post-op arm exercises religiously & also moisturise twice daily with massage.

I've been I touch with my breast care nurse & they want me to come in for a ultrasound & see the surgeon that done my op just waiting on this appointment to come through. 
In the mean time I thought I'd use this forum to reach out to people that have had similar side effects 

thank you si much 

  • Offline

    Santiba 

     

    I had that operation 15 th July I also went on to have full auxiliary node clearance as a second operation which they removed 26 nodes .

    I do have pain aswell I finished radiotherapy on November 8 th and now on tamoxifen since no side effects as yet which is amazing . 
     

    I think the long lumpy feeling is from the operation and should settle down for you but it's good you getting checked I wish you well take care love Lara x 

     

  • Offline

     

    Hi Sandtina,

    A very warm welcome to our forum.

    I am sorry to hear about the symptoms following your surgery in October. It is still early days for you, as it can take quite some time for everything to settle after a lumpectomy. You may find that the lump you feel is just scarring. There is also likely to be some nerve damage.

    I have had 2 bouts of Breast cancer in the past 13 years. The first was a lumpectomy and then I had a double mastectomy the following year. Like you, I thought that I felt a new lump at 6 and 12 months post-op. One was just scar tissue, but the other was another primary cancer in the same breast.

    You are doing the rght thing in getting this investigated by your care team. I wonder if there might be an infection when you mention that the pain is like a 'ball of fire'? If this is so, antibiotics might help. You also mention a heaviness in your arm. I had this too and it turned out to be lymphoedema. I now wear compression sleeves to try and control the swelling.

    I hope that your appointment comes through soon and that there is a simple explanation. Please keep in touch and let us know how you get on. We are always here for you.

    Kind regards,

    Jolamine xx

Speak to a nurse

Quick links

Follow us

Registered with Fundraising Regulator (logo)
Cancer Research UK is a registered charity in England and Wales (1089464), Scotland (SC041666), the Isle of Man (1103) and Jersey (247). A company limited by guarantee. Registered company in England and Wales (4325234) and the Isle of Man (5713F). Registered address: 2 Redman Place, London, E20 1JQ.