Breast pain

[LMT3]

In November I was diagnosed with DCIS, Stage 0. I had the wire loc biopsy with only some bruising. The lumpectomy was done the day before Thanksgiving. In neither of those procedures did I have any pain, didn't even have to take Tylenol much less the prescription pain medicine that was prescribed. Prior to the surgery I had pain in the areola and nipple area. That pain is gone now but in the last 4 weeks I have noticed I have developed breast pain in completely different areas of the breast than where the surgery was done. Wearing a bra tends to make it very tender but going without is not that painfree either. Is this normal?  LmT3

[Dennis MD]

Hi.
Please continue regular self-breast examinations and note any changes in your breast.  Also, regularly visit your doctor and report any signs and symptoms you may be experiencing.
Stay positive.

[LMT3]

After the dianosis of DCIS I had the excision alone. My surgeon and the onocolgist discussed my case and agreed with me that radiation was not necessary at this time but that I should have more frequent mammograms (May is when my next one is supposed to come up). The onocologist did suggest the tomoxifen therapy but I did not want that because if there are any rare side effects listed for a medication I am one of those people who will 95% of the time that would get it, and since the reoccurance rate didn't appear to be all that high I was reluctant to do it.

I have checked for lumps in the breast but don't feel any but they told me during my wire loc placement and biopsy that I had very dense breast tissue and as a matter of fact my calcifications were right in the center of it. I had an appointment for totally unrelated reasons with my GYN and I mentioned the pain but she seemed to feel after the surgery it wasn't anything to be concerned about. Guess I will call the surgeon and see if she thinks the same.

Thanks for answering.

[Dennis MD]

Hi.
What treatment was given to you after lumpectomy?
Ductal Carcinoma In Situ (DCIS) can be treated by:  excision plus radiotherapy, excision alone, or mastectomy.  Hormonal therapy in the form of tamoxifen can also be given in DCIS.  There is currently no consensus regarding the optimal treatment of DCIS.
Aside from pain, do you have other symptoms?  Can you feel any lumps in the breast?  
Pain in the breast can be due to a recurrence, or to benign breast conditions.
It would be best to have yourself seen by your doctor.  For the meantime, you can take any over-the-counter pain medication.
Good luck.