Hi I am a PT who has been working with breast cancer patients for over 15 years-cording is very real and very treatable.
here is a great site that explains alot of breast cancer related conditions. http://www.stepup-speakout.org
Axillary web syndrome/cording is well documented. There is an excellent article by Elisabeth Josenhans -Physiotherapeutic treatment for axillary cording following breast cancer surgery that I have shared with physicians.
.Good Luck
I had 12 nodes removed and radiation and had pain from the armpit to the elbow in a very distinct "line". I was sent to a lymphedema clinic at the hospital. The PT said it had nothing to do with lymphedema, it was called cording and is a result of the disruption of the lymph nodes. She said it is not well understood but they think stray lymph nodes (like wisps of hair) bind together. I do stretching and she does a seep massages type thing...stretching the "cords" to help them break up. It hurts! But it helps! She said very few doctors or even PT's know about this condition, which is a shame. I am treated at Ingalls Hospital in Harvey Il and they have been phenomenal!
Not often but it does happen. I would see a Physical Therapist to be sure it is indeed "cording". Cording does get better with or without treatment but I think seeking treatment is the better choice. Good Luck