Breast pain/inflammation and swelling post radiation?

Hello @risagee I have to say the thought of having that much discomfort for two years was pretty awful. I agree that it can last a while though, it lasted about 6 months for me, and even now, the skin is thick and tough and not as malleable, if that makes sense. I didn’t do any massage or anything as at that time my doctors said it wouldn’t matter. Some 20 years later, I would say go for it, always worth a try right. 😁
I know I have seen others asking this same question, I went and hunted one down. @ema1 have you found any new information about this?

Thank you so much for your reply, Chris! I’m certainly hoping it won’t be two years, but there are moments when I fear my breast will feel this way forever. No one mentioned this as a possible after effect from radiation!
I so appreciate this support group, and thank you again for your kindness, Chris! I’m seeing my oncologist soon and will also hope to learn more about this.

I finished radiation 3 years ago and did have some swelling afterward that went away on it's own. I did not do anything for it. I also had lymphedema in my affected arms and visited the lymphedema clinic off and on for 2+ years.

I had swelling and pain develop 8 weeks after radiation. I did have lymph edema as part of the swelling. I saw a breast cancer physical therapist who was awesome for an intense course of therapy for 3 months and then on and off for two years. I would really recommend physical therapy. In fact, I now tell all of my friends diagnosed with breast cancer to see a physical therapist before surgery/radiation so that they can measure your arms and evaluate function and give you exercises to help reduce pain and improve recovery. Physical therapy should see you back 6-8 weeks after radiation for re-evaluation and treatment plan if needed. My swelling improved significantly and is mostly gone now three years later. The skin is stiff and tough. I developed significant fibrosis of my pectoralis muscles and of my right chest wall. This was confirmed by a chest MRI. My shoulder on the involved side is much more anterior than the other which has resulted in shoulder pain and I still have chest pain. I also developed gastrointestinal reflux after radiation. It was my understanding that radiation side effects can occur up to five years after radiation. Most of the education given regarding radiation revolves around the acute changes of the skin and fatigue. There was little discussion about long term side effects. This site has been so helpful to know that your not alone!!! Wishing everyone the best on this journey!!

No. My underarm and below looks charred and is painful. My nipple feels raw too. I wish I had a pillow for my bra, for that area. It has gotten worse (8 days after my last radiation treatment). I sure hope I won't have to deal with this for 2 years!!!!

@cedar75
Hello. Sorry to hear about all of your struggles after radiation.
I have been done with radiation for a little over 2 months and I am having a strange “side effect” and wanted to know if you experienced anything like this…?
Last week I had a dull pain in the right side of my back near my ribs (my BC was in my right breast) and now it seems to feel more like a pressure/pulling when I take a deep breath. It’s worse when I am lying down (sometimes it’s hard to take in a deep breath)
That area is also a bit sore to the touch. I don’t have a cough or any illness going on.
Ever experience anything like this?
Thank you!

I have not. If you press on my right chest or right ribs they hurt. I have this dull ache that is there all the time. It would bother me if I was having issues of breathing when lying down. I would seek medical help. I did develop cording and webbing of the axilla ( arm pit) that has not resolved. I have three cords, but those have not interfered with my breathing. I would talk to my medical team. Please do that. I say that as a mother, grandmother, sister, and fellow breast cancer traveler

It was about this time after my radiation that I stopped wearing a bra for a while. If I was going somewhere where it make me uncomfortable, I had a large back brace I would hook around me instead. I know it sound weird but they did not move or rub and it had a soft material inside.
Oh and I think I used a gallon of 100% aloe (no alcohol) I kept it in the fridge and put it on whenever I got uncomfortable. This period blessedly did not last terribly long. My heart goes out to you right now, I can remember the misery of it, all these years later.
Is it cool enough where you live to put on an oversized soft cotton and just go braless? Have you talked to your doctor about that new gel patch that is supposed to help the burn?

Thank you for the confirmation and I will call doc. I think I need to invent a bra pillow! I too am using ton of aloe gel!!! Going braless when possible and that helps some.

I finished 22 radiation treatments (15 & 7 boosts to the tumor bed) Mar 1, 2023, so one year out. I had some swelling and a large knot under the skin of my surgical breast and used massage, a swell spot (advised by my lymphedema PT specialist), and regular (1/week) lymphatic massage during my showers. These symptoms resolved. Than a couple months ago I started having pain, skin thickening and a small lump develop on my radiated breast. After a mammo, US, & MRI the lump was diagnosed as a fat necrosis (post surgical/radiation dead breast tissue), the thickened skin & breast pain was from my contracting pec muscle in my chest.

Keep using lotion and massage on your radiated breast daily and keep up your stretching!!!