Pain after lumpectomy

I was suspected with DCIS during regular mammogram, then ultrasound, MRI and core needle biopsy confirmed for DCIS.  When I was referred to a cancer hospital for second opinion, the MRI DVD provided to the oncologist board suggested I may have lobular instead and they order a second biopsy, however since the 1st biopsy confirmed for DCIS and the 2nd biopsy found abnormal non-invasive cells, they did lumpectomy.  I'm now two weeks after lumpectomy, and the incision is now healing, it's itchy and sometimes even pain, the pain would come and go and usually worse in the evening, when I touch the area surrounding the incision, it's a little bit hard, is this normal?

I always pat dry the area and put polysporin on the area after shower to avoid infection, and I wear a bra without wire support as I was told, what else should I do?

[zouzi]

The Bloom-Richardson system is used for grading tumor cells and has a scale of 1 - 3.
This measures the size and shape of the cancer cells’ nuclei. A low score (1) means nuclei are small and regularly shaped; a high score (3) means they’re larger and irregularly shaped. A score of 2 means they’re somewhere in between.
DCIS has an excellent prognosis when treated surgically and then followed by radiation therapy.
The good news is that with treatment, cure is nearly guaranteed.
Glad to hear that you don't have any infection and that all looks normal.
Best wishes...

[zouzi]

Hi,
The pain can be originating from severed nerves during the surgery itself .The pain can be relieved by taking over the counter medications .Another important thing to do is gentle arm exercises that can loosen up the fibrous tissues in your breast to avert future pain. Also warm compresses, gently massaging the breast,wearing a supportive bra can help a lot.
I remember having had the same kind of pain (after my surgery ),but it got much better with time.Also the hardness that you feel at the site of the incision is normal and it will disappear after a few weeks.
Best wishes....  

[alowfly]

Thanks for the advice it surely ease my mind.  I will be visiting my surgeon next Monday and will know what is exactly going on with my breast!   The first biopsy suggested 1.5 to 2 cm, the 2nd says 4.5 and after lumpectomy, the surgeon indicated to my husband that the area was bigger than she thought, she had tried but may not have take everything out, paving a way for another surgery!!!

Really scary.

[zouzi]

Hi again,
I am so sorry that you may have to go through a second surgery.This is not unusual though,but it's very important that clean margins are obtained to minimize the risk or recurrence.Hang in there dear ...and be strong.I wish you all the best and may all go well for you from now on.
Take care...

[ladypar72]

i had pain etc after lumpdectomy was cellulitis, very painful and in hospital with it twice so do get it checked the sooner the better . they can give you antibiotics for it. hope yours is,t. good luck.

[alowfly]

Hi ladypar72:

what is cellulitis and where did you feel pain?  The area that they had the incision is now bruise.

[zouzi]

Hi again,
Cellulitis is a spreading infection,and the signs of cellulitis are severe inflammation, redness, warmth, swelling, and pain.
As this red area begins to spread, the person may develop a fever, sometimes with chills and sweats, and swollen lymph nodes (or glands) near the area of infected skin.
In my opinion, I don't think you have an infection,because you did not mention having the symptoms mentioned above that indicates cellulitis.
The bruises generally take time to heal, some may take 3 months or longer,the body generally absorbs the excess fluid and blood in the bruise.
I am sure that your surgeon, who will examine you tomorrow,will let you know if something is concerning.
Best wishes...

[alowfly]

Hi:

I just met with my surgeon today and glad to hear that I only have DCIS, therefore, no more surgery but will need approx. 16 to 25 radiation treatment subject to the recommendations by the radiologist.  They didn't touch my lymph node during the surgery and hopefully I won't have lumpede at all.  Also, my bruise and pain was normal, the surgeon checked me out and says they are normal and will be gone soon.

By the way, I received a Grade 2 (intermediate) for Nuclear grade, does anyone know what is this refer to or meant for?

Thank you and I can sleep better tonight.

[zouzi]

The Bloom-Richardson system is used for grading tumor cells and has a scale of 1 - 3.
This measures the size and shape of the cancer cells’ nuclei. A low score (1) means nuclei are small and regularly shaped; a high score (3) means they’re larger and irregularly shaped. A score of 2 means they’re somewhere in between.
DCIS has an excellent prognosis when treated surgically and then followed by radiation therapy.
The good news is that with treatment, cure is nearly guaranteed.
Glad to hear that you don't have any infection and that all looks normal.
Best wishes...