Hard Breast Following Radiation

I had DCIS with surgery followed by radiation almost 5 years ago.  My breast has formed into a very painful and hard mass and my doctors have found no more cancer but say very little about how it happened or what can be done.  It cannot be pressed on at all and basically hurts most of the time.  Has anyone else had this happen to them and what if anything was done for you?  Apparently it is not a common occurrence.  Would appreciate hearing from you...

kelley

 

On 4/10/2008 hanagirl wrote:

I had DCIS with surgery followed by radiation almost 5 years ago.  My breast has formed into a very painful and hard mass and my doctors have found no more cancer but say very little about how it happened or what can be done.  It cannot be pressed on at all and basically hurts most of the time.  Has anyone else had this happen to them and what if anything was done for you?  Apparently it is not a common occurrence.  Would appreciate hearing from you...

kelley

Hardness of breast tissue to some degree after radiation is not uncommon.  Have you continued stretching since your operation?  I'm told I have to continue that for the rest of my life since having radiation.  Try to stretch very gently to help loosen up the fibrosis.  Myofascial release helps too but you'd have to consult with a PT and see if that would help you since you can't stand to be touched. 

My lymphedema therapist is now treating some clients with this problem with a low level laser approved for lymphedema treatment.  It is working and giving these women relief from the pain.  These lasers have been in use in Australia for years but were only approved by the FDA in December 2006 so hospitals in the US are just starting to acquire them.  Check with your hospital's rehab, PT or lymphedema treatment center to see if they've heard of this or have one yet.

 Hope this helps.

Thank you so very much for your message!  This was the first time I had ever used this type of site to share my problem.  I do not have lymphedema, just a rock hard right breast with extreme sensitivity.  It is also very tight to stretch my arm but have always worked with stretching and I use it in my job so its a bother but not like the 'cement' like breast.  After reading more of the message board I see a few other women have experienced this but not alot.  Seems not much can be done.  I appreciate your time in getting back to me.  Many thanks and good health.

 

On 4/13/2008 hanagirl wrote:

Thank you so very much for your message!  This was the first time I had ever used this type of site to share my problem.  I do not have lymphedema, just a rock hard right breast with extreme sensitivity.  It is also very tight to stretch my arm but have always worked with stretching and I use it in my job so its a bother but not like the 'cement' like breast.  After reading more of the message board I see a few other women have experienced this but not alot.  Seems not much can be done.  I appreciate your time in getting back to me.  Many thanks and good health.

Hi Hanagirl,

I wasn't clear enough in my message about the laser treatment.  You do not have to have lymphedema for the laser to help with the condition you're experiencing from radiation treatment.  To find a therapist with the laser you will need to be looking for a lymphedema therapist.  It could help, as could myofascial release.  For that kind of massage therapy try to find a body worker who's worked with cancer patients--that's what I did.  My range of motion has improved a lot and I no longer have the pain in the chest area that I did (I can hug easier and wear a seatbelt much more comfortably.)  Hope I've been a bit clearer for you.

 

 

On 4/14/2008 Sewwonderfulwoman wrote:

 

On 4/13/2008 hanagirl wrote:

Thank you so very much for your message!  This was the first time I had ever used this type of site to share my problem.  I do not have lymphedema, just a rock hard right breast with extreme sensitivity.  It is also very tight to stretch my arm but have always worked with stretching and I use it in my job so its a bother but not like the 'cement' like breast.  After reading more of the message board I see a few other women have experienced this but not alot.  Seems not much can be done.  I appreciate your time in getting back to me.  Many thanks and good health.

Hi Hanagirl,

I wasn't clear enough in my message about the laser treatment.  You do not have to have lymphedema for the laser to help with the condition you're experiencing from radiation treatment.  To find a therapist with the laser you will need to be looking for a lymphedema therapist.  It could help, as could myofascial release.  For that kind of massage therapy try to find a body worker who's worked with cancer patients--that's what I did.  My range of motion has improved a lot and I no longer have the pain in the chest area that I did (I can hug easier and wear a seatbelt much more comfortably.)  Hope I've been a bit clearer for you.

 

 

Again I thank you for your concern to my problem and will get in touch with the specialists you recommended...I can sorely appreciate your comments about being able to hug and wear a seatbelt more comfortably; how true the discomfort in both situations!  Many thanks again. 

hanagirl

Hi Kelley,

You are not alone.  I had DCIS in my right breast a little over a year ago.  Two lumpectomies and 33 radiation treatments and now my breast is completely different from my left and it is hard as a rock, has gone very high and it has affected how I use my right arm.  Never mind that I have developed a complex about the way I look which in turn affects me emotionally.  No one told me this could happen and no one seems to know how to fix it.  I am furious because I had a mild cancer and had I know this would happen I probably would have not gone for radiation as this is a dangerous treatment in and of itself. 

If I find out anything to remedy this I will post it.

 Good luck.

On 4/10/2008 hanagirl wrote:

I had DCIS with surgery followed by radiation almost 5 years ago.  My breast has formed into a very painful and hard mass and my doctors have found no more cancer but say very little about how it happened or what can be done.  It cannot be pressed on at all and basically hurts most of the time.  Has anyone else had this happen to them and what if anything was done for you?  Apparently it is not a common occurrence.  Would appreciate hearing from you...

kelley

 

Your message to me sounds like I could've written it!  The right breast is higher, cement hard and CANNOT be touched with any kind of pressure.  I too wonder about the use of radiation on my cancer and feel I should not have gone that far...but who knows!  The doctors and books I read never said anything like this was a possibility and now have nothing much to say either.  This message board has really been a blessing to me cuz I didn't know anyone in my life that was experiencing this problem.  Just know you are not alone and can chat whenever.  I haven't given up on getting some help to change my condition and know you won't either.  I will keep in touch.

Stay strong and healthy,

Kelley