Trouble with diagnosis

Finished all treatment in November 2007 for breast cancer. Shortly after the first of the year my breast began to swell and sharp pains for around the nipple to under my arm. I went to my surgeon after three weeks. Gave me antibiotics and pain medication. That didn't work.  Sent me to lymphedema clinic. Arm is fine, no swelling. Long story short...the breast is still swollen, sharp pains that go from my side into the shoulder blade area. Percocet helped for a while, but not any more. Sitting, standing for much over 10 minutes makes it worse. I have searched and searched. Can you tell me about trunal lymphedema? And treatment?

[PaulMD]

Hi there.

I'm sorry to hear you are experiencing this.  Lymphedema is a complication of surgeries to the breast that is supposed to be minimized by less invasive procedures such as lumpectomy or sentinel node biopsy.  However, this still happens especially with concomitant radiation given.  The treatment course (surgery or radiation or both) may have left some damage to the nerves that can cause some form of neuropathic pain.  There can also be lymphedema in the breast even without much swelling in the arm.  It is also important to rule out the possibility of tumor recurrence in these cases by having a possible imaging study such as an ultrasound.  I suggest you discuss these options with your doctor and that you and your doctors can get to the bottom of this soon.  Regards and God bless.