PBTPS can be defined as persistent neuropathic pain, and is often associated with symptoms of numbness, dysesthesia, edema, and allodynia located in the chest wall, axilla, arm, or shoulder of the surgical side. Pain in your bones, for example in the back, hips or ribs, that doesn’t get better with pain relief and may be worse at night. I’ve had a lumpectomy and lymph nodes removal 14 months ago because of a triple negative breast cancer at 31. I was unaware of any problems. pain/cording after lumpectomy and SNB. The burning sensation is on the sternum and under the left breast. It feels like a burning, sharp, sore, inflamed swollen mess. They were…. Things are good for me and I am blessed. I was 58 then. Researchers have reported that physical function and the ability to deal with daily tasks greatly. Called postmastectomy reconstruction syndrome. Redness of the skin of the breast that may appear as a rash, with dilated pores, and possibly skin thickening. I am 49. The look and feel of your breast will continue to change during the first 1-2 years after surgery and radiation therapy. But yes, the weird sensations do show up at weird times. Post-mastectomy pain syndrome (PMPS) is a recognised complication of breast surgery although little is known about the long-term outcome of this chronic pain condition. For many people, breast reconstruction is an important part of their. Together we will beat cancer. About 20% of people have pain that lasts longer [ 258 ]. Lumpectomy surgery. Undergarments and sleeves fit tighter. In contrast, during a mastectomy, all of the breast tissue is removed. weakness, difficulty using your arm. A lot of work was done in there -. There was no lymph node involvement. “The pain isn’t constant,” a third member shared in regard to post-lumpectomy pain. Breast-conserving surgery (lumpectomy) removes the cancer and just enough tissue to get all the cancer. The pain can last for some time. After left breast lumpectomy due to invasive ductal carcinoma, a 65-year-old female patient underwent intraoperative radiation therapy and whole breast radiation. 6. Symptoms. doi: 10. Had to have more revision surgeries (hisense). If lymph nodes are removed, lymphedema (swelling of the arms or back) may also occur. trixie1313 | @trixie1313 | Jan 3, 2021. Phantom pain is pain that seems to come from an amputated limb, breast or other body part. The main symptom of lymphedema after breast cancer treatment is swelling of the arm on the side where lymph nodes have been removed. Objective To describe surgeons’ approach to surgical margins for invasive breast cancer, and changes in postlumpectomy surgery rates, and final surgical treatment following a 2014 consensus statement endorsing a margin of. They only warn about the burns and the redness and then use words such as discomfort when the reality is that the tissues are damaged and the pain will persist for some time. Advertisement. After the surgery and recovery from anesthesia, patients may experience pain, which usually resolves in a few days and can be minimized with painkillers prescribed by the doctor. A lumpectomy is a surgical procedure that removes cancerous breast tissue along with an area of healthy surrounding tissue. After a breast biopsy, a person should receive emergency medical care if they experience any concerning symptoms, such as shortness of breath, chest pain, or signs of a blood clot in the leg. That means it lets you to keep your breast shape and, usually, your nipple. Over the years my breast implants had encapsulated to the point where it was painful just to hug people. Importance Surgery after initial lumpectomy to obtain more widely clear margins is common and may lead to mastectomy. i recovered well but last week it so started to have significant stabbing pains in same breast as operation and now I am worried !Answer: Breast shrinkage 10 years after radiation for breast cancer. IBC: IBC is a. A separate drainage tube is often placed if you have a lymph node dissection. However, you may lose some hair in the underarm area or on the breast or chest area getting radiation (this may be a concern for some men with breast cancer). Ongoing pain or discomfort can happen after any type of breast surgery, including a lumpectomy (wide local excision), a mastectomy, lymph node removal and breast. Like the ants, it comes and go. Arm pain after breast surgery can be due to lymphedema. In 2017, acellular dermal matrix was used in 56% of breast reconstructive procedures, with complication rates similar to operations without AlloDerm. November 2007 edited November 2007. Was not to painful , I got thru it. I still have shooting pains in breast and under arm. Many people with breast cancer can choose between mastectomy and lumpectomy for breast cancer surgery. Pain to arm and chest 18 months after lumpectomy. I also got Neosporin for pain or itch which also helped. 3. More than 50% of women will have pain one year after treatment. problems breastfeeding. ; Skin-sparing: A skin-sparing partial mastectomy aims to preserve as much of the breast's skin while removing the breast tissue, nipple, and areola. Yesterday, my surgeon drained off over 10 cc of fluid from my breast, hoping to give me some relief. My whole breast aches and the pain goes through to my back. It ended up being an intraductal papilloma, with a few abnormal features. About a week ago, my right breast starting hurting like a deep bruise with a slight burning sensation. April 2010 edited April 2010. The condition is typically permanent. 2013 Aug 12. Clip displacement from the. Longer than 10 minutes can cause nerve and skin damage. This procedure is also called lymph node dissection. 2, 3. A lot of the tightness and pain is the result of scar tissue. I am now 2 weeks post-lumpectomy, and my pain level is the worst it has been, and not controlled by meds. I’m going to share my patient experience with you so that you can better understand this procedure. Was swollen and lumpy and hurt to touch the area. I portaled surgeon who told me it likely was not a tear of stitches and portaled. Usually, some surrounding healthy tissue and lymph nodes also are removed. Im still having a lot of pain under the breast and to the side peripherally where the tumor was located. As of 2018, 1 in 8 women in the U. itchiness. A breast rash can be a sign of IBC or Paget’s disease, but most breast rashes are not malignant. So very similar to you. Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women worldwide. The skin around the cut (incision) may feel firm, swollen, and tender, and be bruised. The pain may be due to damage to the intercostobrachial nerve, the lateral. They took muscle from the area -- lump was on the right at 5 o'clock -- very unusual area. How long does the pain of the lymph node incision site take to improve/resolve? Pain is making me depressed. Healing after lumpectomy, mastectomy, or reconstruction is a complex process that involves repairing and regenerating tissue. Methods: The study involved women from Victoria, Australia, who had survived at least 5 years from diagnosis, remained free from. There can, however, be long-term. It's a common phenomenon in at least 25 percent of women. This swelling is called a seroma. Healthcare providers consider lumpectomy to be breast-conserving surgery because it leaves your natural breast intact, compared to a mastectomy, which is removal of the entire breast. After lumpectomy, radiation treatment options might include: Radiation to the entire breast. This helped me for sure. Commonly, there's a nerve called the. Cover it with a towel. May 2011 #2. Breast pain can range from mild to severe. Do not push or pull with your arms. Hi Renee, I also had Hi Renee, I also had lumpectomy w/ re-excision. As sensation returns to the breast, patients may experience shooting pains as nerves “wake up” and this is temporary. Directional vacuum-assisted biopsy has become an irreplaceable tool in the management of suspicious mammographic lesions. I had no numbness near the incision after my lumpectomy, but the sentinel node biopsy and lymph node removal made me numb near my armpit. In fact, this pain may persist for several years 5,20 and has detrimental effects. S. Tightness in the surgical site can make moving difficult and painful. Together we will beat cancer. seroma (excessive fluid collection in the lumpectomy cavity), wound healing issues and change in breast size and shape. If your breast or chest wall pain persists six months or more after surgery, and you have seen other doctors, request a consultation with Dr. Radiation therapy (usually given after a lumpectomy) can also affect the look of the breast. I have more pain in my armpit compared to my breast. If you are experiencing rib pain after a mastectomy, it’s essential to talk with your doctor about pain management. Many women describe it as feeling like the vibration of a muted cell phone. Would. For 1 or 2 days after the surgery, you will probably feel tired and have some pain. Tenderness should go away in about 2 or 3 days, and the. But many other triggers exist as well: scarring, post-operative radiation therapy, some. [] The treatment of this condition depends on its staging, and surgical resection constituting an important step in an attempt to cure the disease. Caring for myself after Breast Biopsy/Lumpectomy What are my general guidelines? 1. A number of treatment options are available for treating rib pain that continues after breast cancer surgery. Chest pain, ice pic like shooting pains from cut nerves, etc. Lumpectomy is performed under anesthesia; hence, the procedure itself is not painful. Sensations or Pain After Breast Cancer Surgery. The first week was bearable with lots of numbness which is now going, but this week has been a nightmare! Patient arm movement is often limited by pain or fear of pain. Dressings. Diagnosis and treatment Pain in my breast 4mths after lumpectomy. 8%) with hypertension and 39 patients (10. The skin in my armpit felt like it was burning for several weeks. Researchers led nationally by the University of Warwick with University Hospitals. Laura Esserman, the director of the Carol Franc Buck Breast Care Center in San Francisco, said she was shocked to learn of the prevalence of the problem when one of the speakers at a 2011 symposium she led on the management of breast cancer symptoms said that 20 to 40 percent of women complained of persistent pain after. The pain in my arm continued on after surgery, until unbelievably last week, it dawned on me, I have no more pain in my arm. Introduction: Breast surgery is one of the most commonly performed surgical procedures. Kanchwala says usually takes about a year and will vary from patient to patient. Research. Although neuropathic pain is the most common type of pain reported after breast cancer surgery, some women also experience phantom breast pain. Pain in your bones, for example in the back, hips or ribs, that doesn’t get better with pain relief and may be worse at night. Source: JAMA and Archives Journals. British Journal of Cancer (2008) 99, 604 – 610. Some people develop lymphoedema after treatment for breast cancer. This means that about 66% of the women had mild to severe pain 1 year after breast cancer surgery. This is called post-mastectomy pain syndrome (PMPS) because it was first noticed in women who had mastectomies, but it can also happen after other types of breast-conserving surgery (such as a lumpectomy). This means that about 66% of the women had mild to severe pain 1 year after breast cancer surgery. had 10/30 radiation tx after lumpectomy with slb (0/3). Background Rates of nipple-sparing mastectomies have increased over the past decade. Looks like you're just 6 months out from radiation. My whole breast aches and the pain goes through to my back. I just finished radiation (and also got a nice case of shingles early on during radiation). I have difficulty squeezing a lemon, grating food, or the hand over hand action. Introduction. I had breast implants 17 years ago. My cancer was quite deep in the breast as it was hidden under a fibroid and was not picked up by the mammo or other tests, hence the 2 surgeries being done a month apart. Lumpectomy surgery is a common type of surgery used to remove tumors in the breast. Breast pain almost 2 years after lumpectomy. You may also hear this procedure called by a few other names, such as: Breast-conserving surgery (BCS) When paired with the right surveillance after treatment, a lumpectomy may also be an option for breast cancer patients who carry genetic mutations like BRCA1 and BRCA2 that put them at a greater risk for cancer. m. Most of the time this occurs because of injury to a nerve. So today, Sunday, I have had a lot of pain around about, but deeper inside where my tumour was. I developed a large Seroma that my surgeon drained a few weeks after surgery. This is not an uncommon problem. The goal of this. Telling someone on your care team if you’re in pain. If you have neuropathic pain, you may feel a shooting or burning. +65 6250 0000 (Orchard) or +65 6898 6898 (Novena) For appointment bookings, please WhatsApp. In one study, just over 40% of participants reported symptoms of neuropathy 2 years after taxane-based chemotherapy to treat breast cancer. What is seroma? After breast cancer surgery, fluid may collect where tissue was removed. The most common symptoms include: pain, tingling, burning, weakness, tickling, or numbness in arms, hands, legs and feet. However, this is also very rare, as, again, today’s treatments have advanced far. Lumpectomy is a type of surgery for breast cancer. Williams MD. April 2011 #12. The occurrence of persistent pain following breast cancer surgery is a well-documented pain condition. The injected material is located visually and/or with a device that detects radioactivity (middle panel). Sharp shooting pain. May 13, 2023. Rest as directed. dermatitis, pain, skin infection, and radiation-induced esophagitis. Visit the peripheral nerve surgery page or contact our clinic at 734-998-6022 to learn more about. In Study 1, women who received mastectomy had lower physical functioning than lumpectomy (ps < 0. The surgeon makes a small cut on your breast. If you have an aching pain in the breast, wearing a supportive sports bra during the day and a soft bra with no underwire at night may help. the shooting pain in my breast finally went away 2 weeks ago and now after just one treatment of radiation I can feel the pain coming bacj and a tearing feeling under my arm. My whole breast aches and the pain goes through to my back. Some say it feels like when. It got a lot more tender after radiation. Off and on I get pain in the scar area from the lumpectomy. Doctors also call this type of surgery a wide local excision or lumpectomy. With a prevalence of 31%, the risk factors for PMPS include younger age, psychosocial factors, radiotherapy. . The lump and some of the normal breast tissue around it is. shooting or prickling pain. The exercises can be painful, requiring perseverance and working gradually through the pain, until arm movement improves and the pain subsides. Yes, random pain in both sites. Treatment. The pain can be on one side, in a specific area or around a wide area of the breast. Although Mondor’s disease is not an established risk factor in breast cancer, there are case reports of patients pre-senting with this condition at the time of the breast cancer diagnosis [4]. The tube was pulled early due to a nurses incompetence as I was admitted to the hospital with a serious infection. 5 years out post lumpectomy and radiation. It will subside but people do say that it's not unusual to experience some aches and stabbing pains for up. 10 years later - 2018, I have some stinging pain over the scar. HugsBreast-conserving surgery (lumpectomy) removes the cancer and just enough tissue to get all the cancer. Here are some solutions to help you find the. There are no major systemic symptoms or laboratory findings; mild symptoms, if present, most. I sprayed it on my fingers and then dabbed it on the spot. Change the texture of the breast. The tube was pulled early due to a nurses incompetence as I was admitted. The classic symptoms of PMPS are pain and tingling in the chest wall, armpit, and/or arm. Nerve pain 17 years after breast implants. I don't think the burning is normal. trouble using hands to pick up objects or fasten clothing. , exact pathogenesis of PMPS remain unclear; Affects 25%-60% of patients Prevalence is higher after lumpectomy than after mastectomyA lumpectomy (also called a partial mastectomy) is a breast cancer surgery that removes a tumor plus a normal margin of surrounding healthy breast tissue. “I had bilateral mastectomies a year ago, and I still have a lot of issues with rib pain,” they shared. will have had a diagnosis of invasive breast cancer in their lifetime. Some health experts refer to it as a noninvasive precancer. It is tender to touch and if I try to bend down or tip on my side I get a strong burning pressure and it. This pain, which can occur in the breast and/or upper extremity, affects 25% to 60% of patients. This tissue is then tested to determine if it contains cancerous cells. Cording can also be felt on the trunk as well, typically lower than the mastectomy scar or breast, or under the chest pectoral. With a lumpectomy, it’s not so much the outer scars which feel like an issue right now as the stitches inside my body. Lymphedema therapy. Over the counter medication can help with the pain or your doctor can prescribe a stronger pain killer. Summary. Tenderness should go away in about 2 or 3. pregnancy. Although the diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer often negatively affect mental health and physical health, most people have a good quality of life after completing breast cancer treatment. It may: Make the breast smaller or larger. 6. It is considered "breast-conserving" surgery because only the malignant tumor and a surrounding margin of normal breast tissue are removed. I know there were 6 or more metal staples put in my left breast to secure blood vessels. I have had CHRONIC PAIN since lumpectomy! Used Duragesic pain patch for 1 yr. Younger women and those given radiation therapy are also at higher risk of having long-term pain. It is considered "breast-conserving" surgery because only the malignant tumor and a surrounding margin of normal breast tissue are removed. 2r3b | @2r3b | Nov 7, 2022. My lumpectomy healed faster than the wound from the node removal. The outside part of the chest wall. A new lump with the onset of the pain; lump does not go away after your menstrual period. Changes to the skin of your breast. Aches . I was told to massage the hard area and it is eventually softening. A lumpectomy is the surgical removal of a small area of breast tissue that is cancerous or suspected of being cancerous. Tiredness is probably the most common side effect of breast cancer treatment. 9), and the mean BMI was 23. The same study also showed that removal of just one breast carried a somewhat higher risk of overall mortality than lumpectomy—a finding that. The worst of it subsided over about a weeks time but I’m still very achy from it a month later. I had a lumpectomy in 2008 for stage 1 breast cancer in my left breast. When fat necrosis is symptomatic, 97% of cases manifest as a palpable lump, with a minority of cases associated with pain, tenderness, or skin. "Most recurrences will happen. They may be diagnosed on ultrasound or other breast imaging. ago I was diagnosed with infiltrating ductal carcinoma with 3 positive nodes and had a lumpectomy (left breast) followed by chemo & radiation. December 2016 edited December 2016. While phantom breast syndrome is. As with all operations, bleeding and infection at the surgery site are possible. Your tendency after surgery is to slump. But it is agony when I lie down, sometimes I wear a bra at night to support my breast. org. Hope this helps - please, please don't go away and worry about a recurrence as I'm sure you are still having. Pain in breast years After lumpectomy. Sensitivity and Nerve Pain. For 1 or 2 days after the surgery, you will probably feel tired and have some pain. Your doctor may call it breast-conserving surgery, partial mastectomy, or excisional. +65 8111 7777 (Orchard) or +65 8111 5777 (Novena) Lumpectomy, or breast lump removal, is an early-stage breast cancer treatment to remove cancerous or abnormal breast tissue. It was horrible. Reduces Bruising and Swelling. Generally, when they have this syndrome, women will feel pain, numbness, and burning under the armpit and across the chest. A new area of thickening along or near the mastectomy scar. Sensitivity and Nerve Pain. To learn more about this program and other helpful resources, call the Komen Breast Care Helpline at 1-877 GO KOMEN (1-877-465-6636) or email helpline@komen. The goal of this procedure is to extract cancer tissue while still maintaining breast tissue. Brachial. on your affected side, especially at your nipple. You will be given general anesthesia (you will be asleep, but pain free) or local anesthesia (you are lightly sedated and pain free). Just over. These cancers are described in more detail below. Charlotteanne over 2 years ago. Hi- I had a lumpectomy 6/11, and the incision is ok, totally numb, but ok, but I have pain down my ribs and then in the breast when I lift my arm or stretch. Has anyone else experienced this?This surgery might also be called a lumpectomy, quadrantectomy,. “BRCA-positive patients may assume that a mastectomy is the only treatment option for them, but that’s not always the case,” Singh says. The literature related to this chronic pain after breast surgery suggests the magnitude of this problem may be as high as 50% of patients having mastectomy. This pain comes less often than it used to, but it still pops up. However, improvement was negligible. I remember the doctor saying that I could shower the next day. Caffeine: High levels of caffeine may be linked to breast pain, although more research is needed. This is called a breast seroma. numbness or pins and needles. Adjuvant radiation therapy reduces the local recurrence rate of ten years from 31 to 15. New breast pain 20 years post lumpectomy. The pain comes and goes. I keep feeling pain from the scar under my arm pit, every time I touched it it feels very tender and swollen (the arm pit scar). The stinging and shooting pains from my lumpectomy went on for months. They have increased with the radiation treatments. Adhesions. Some women may also have redness or pain in the arm,. No matter what, please see your Onc!Studies show 20% to 30% of women develop post-mastectomy pain syndrome (PMPS) after surgery, and the nerve pain — in the chest wall, armpit or arm — doesn’t go away over time, according to. During a lumpectomy, your surgeon will only remove the cancerous tumor and surrounding margin of healthy tissue. Hi, I had lumpectomy and lymph node dissection 2 weeks ago. The prevalence of PMPS has been shown to be higher after lumpectomy than after mastectomy (Tasmuth et al, 1996, 1997). A number of lymph nodes may also be removed to test them for cancerous cells ( sentinel lymph. A, Craniocaudal (A) and mediolateral oblique (B) mammograms show benign posttreatment change. Nipple discharge. I have had some painful spots since the 1st surgery, and then in general a larger tender spot under excision. Hi everyone, I’m here tonight cos I’ve been looking for support and reassurance. This means that about 66% of the women had mild to severe pain 1 year after breast cancer surgery. It took weeks for the pain from surgery to go away. I did chemo, rads and had a mastectomy a year ago with diep reconstruction. He said it sounded like I was experiencing fibromyalgia. infections like mastitis or a breast abscess. Pain in breast years After lumpectomy. A variety of complications may occur after surgical treatment for breast cancer, one such complication is chronic pain, which may. If this happens, talk to your treatment team. , 1994) but have been found to be associated with other types of pain after lumpectomy or mastectomy in some studies (Tasmuth et al. Lymph. Sore throat. Lumpectomy in combination with axillary lymph node removal;. Shooting pains and itching are also normal. Typically, this type of breast pain develops around a week before a period, and resolves. You won’t lose the hair on your head. Sentinel lymph node biopsy can be done before or after the tumor is removed. Breast-conserving surgery (BCS) removes the cancer while leaving as much normal breast as possible. Patients generally do not have significant pain after a lumpectomy, but the breast can be swollen, bruised or tender for a few days to a week or two after surgery depending on a patient’s breast size and size of the tumor removed. However, bruising on the breast can also be caused by a hematoma, a pooling of blood that results from injury to larger blood vessels. Breast pain years after lumpectomy, nipple inverting. Definition. My whole breast aches and the pain goes through to my back. The pain is often located in the axilla, the shoulder, the arm or the chest wall. Posted by adreb2 @adreb2, Jun 19, 2022. Some swelling will be normal for about 1 month after surgery. shoulder pain. It's a common phenomenon in at least 25 percent of women. Dr. Chemotherapy and radiation therapy seem not to increase the risk of phantom breast pain (Krøner et al. The pain is cording and also a stabbing pain in my armpit. Lymph nodes in the armpit (axilla) may also be removed. Some of the symptoms of scar tissue pain include: inflammation (swelling) redness. It got a lot more tender after radiation. Recent studies indicate between 25-60% of women have some degree of pain or uncomfortable sensations in their breast even years after breast cancer operations. Post-mastectomy pain syndrome (PMPS) is a type of chronic pain that occurs after breast cancer surgeries such as mastectomy, lumpectomy and axillary lymph node dissection, which involves removing lymph nodes in the underarm region. Try to repeat this exercise 3 to 5 times a day. Lumpectomy procedures are less invasive than mastectomy, but they still carry some risks, including pain, swelling and bruising. I had a lumpectomy was stage 2, grade 3 er/pr+, 7+nodes and brca2+. After treating patients for 20 years, I am deeply concerned about the pain and associated postural deformity that follows some post -surgical breast patients. slow-to-heal wounds. 3. It should ease and become less frequent. For some people, it may last for 1 or 2 years. “I had bilateral mastectomies a year ago, and I still have a lot of issues with rib pain,” they shared. Prevention. I had chemo and radiation. Non-MSK patients who wish to receive lymphedema care at MSK can make an appointment to see one of our physiatrists (doctors who specialize in rehabilitation medicine) by calling 646-888-1929 . Feeling much more tired than usual. Here is why. 3% in 2011. Other causes of a rash include an allergy or infection. Mine is, especially around the areola which is where the tumor was removed from. Dx w left breast cancer. What does ongoing pain feel like? The pain may be in your scar, breast, armpit, arm or shoulder. Wire Guided Localization Before Lumpectomy. The Breast Blog. Women with PMRS may experience weakness, tightness, or pain in the shoulder; muscle loss in the chest wall; or muscle spasms and pain. Said to be 92% Combed Cotton, 8% Spandex. For the last couple of weeks I have had pain to my shoulder and chest to the side I had the cancer. Breast-conserving surgery is sometimes called lumpectomy, quadrantectomy, partial mastectomy, or segmental mastectomy depending on how much tissue is removed. 1 Post-mastectomy pain syndrome (PMPS) is a neuropathic condition defined as pain located in the anterior surface of the chest axilla, shoulder or upper half. Almost a year ago I had a lumpectomy in my right breast followed by radiotherapy and I now take tamoxifen. INTRODUCTION. This swelling is called lymphedema. Tung says. Some days they are sharp and in the center of the lumpectomy, other times around the outside of it but less sharp . My left breast (not site of lumpectomy) but lower turned red, I was swollen and the area was HOT. This is known as cyclic breast pain. We herein present a very rare case of traumatic breast neuroma in a postmenopausal patient with a history of breast-conserving surgery, who presented with a four-month history of intractable neuropathic breast pain. Yesterday I had my first mammogram around a year after surgery. Symptoms of chest wall pain. Swelling in the hand, fingers, arm, or breast area. the shooting pain in my breast finally went away 2 weeks ago and now after just one treatment of radiation I can feel the pain coming bacj and a tearing feeling under my arm. At that time, you will hear about your pathology results from the tissue removed during your lumpectomy. I expected the mammogram to be uncomfortable but did not expect to feel. Symptoms can include a tingling sensation, pain, and weakness in the shoulder, arm, and hand. I remember the doctor saying that I could shower the next day. Over the past 2 decades, breast-conservation therapy with lumpectomyand whole-breast radiotherapy has become a standard option for themajority of women with newly diagnosed breast cancer. ago. With a skin-sparing partial mastectomy, surgeons use implants or tissue from. I have had the stabbing pains since my stitches were taken out. normal? 1 doctor answer • 3 doctors weighed inAlmost a year ago I had a lumpectomy in my right breast followed by radiotherapy and I now take tamoxifen. A common cause is the limited range of motion that most of us experience immediately after surgery. Medications: Oral contraceptive pills, hormonal injections, antidepressants, and antipsychotics can alter the hormonal balance of the body and lead to breast pain. Most women can return to normal activities within a few weeks of surgery. It may help to take pain relief in liquid form, particularly before eating, until the discomfort improves. Although it was present in only 37% (82/221) of MRI studies performed in the first 12 months after treatment, lumpectomy site enhancement was still seen in 15% of cases 5 or more years after treatment. We offer a support group at our Evelyn H. Unfortunately, a common sequela of either procedure is persistent post-surgical pain, 11 defined as pain that persists for longer than 3 months. If you’re getting radiation therapy after a lumpectomy, you’ll have radiation treatments to your whole affected breast for 3½ to 5 weeks.