discomfort in the breast 2 1/2 years after radiation

[subashini20]

i m 32 years old and ductal carcinoma of the left breast, tumour size less than 2 cms, in jan 2007. lumpectomy was done followed by brachytherapy 8 days and external radiation for 30 days and 6 cycles of chemotherapy. once chemo was over, i had severe reactions in the breast,supposed to be post radiation effects which got cured in 15 days. . i m still menstruating and taking tamoxifen 20mg od. now after 2 1/2 years, i feel that the treated site is giving some mild discomfort. there is a hard fibrosed area-the surgical site. sometimes the skin is stiff and shiny and sometimes it is normal. there is mild pain . what is it and is it to be worried

[SueYoung55]

I had an area that I questioned my doctors about after my radiation that they said was nothing. At the time of my second mastectomy and DIEP reconstruction the breast surgeon was kind enough to ultrasound my radiated side thoroughly when I told her it hurt and found a pocket of fluid there that was trapped by scar tissue.

As a note.. the other doctors previously said there was nothing there and nothing wrong. I had the "nothing wrong" removed at the time of my reconstruction and feel fine now!

If it's bothering you, be your own best advocate and push for answers :)

Best wishes!

[katarina777]

I have the same problem. I had a mastectomy and really very few problems until now, about 1.5 years after I finished radiation, like similar to what you describe.

The tamoxifen can cause tenderness in your breast, it happens in about 3% of those taking it. I am myself also puzzled about the other stuff but I just had a CT scan and it was normal.

Katrin

[japdip]

It may be related to scar tissue but I think you would be wise to see either your Oncologist or Breast Specialist regarding these symptoms. I presume that you have been followed fairly closely since your surgery and treatment. Regards .....