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DiscussionWorried about upcoming reduction (had lumpectomy 3 weeks ago)
Breast Cancer | Last Active: Mar 19 11:48pm | Replies (37)Comment receiving replies
Replies to "I think the biggest concern for breast shrinkage after radiation is when they do whole breast..."
Your breast may be larger due to breast lymphedema. After my lumpectomy and sentinel lymph node biopsy, my affected breast was noticeably smaller. Pretty soon, however, I noticed it became bigger, even larger than my other breast. I was seeing a physical therapist to monitor for lymphedema, and she immediately identified breast lymphedema. My breast had a slight orange peel texture that is also a sign of lymphedema. I did have chemo and 33 radiation treatments (28 to the whole breast) but never saw shrinking. With a few, very easy things, I keep the breast lymphedema in check, but my PT has seen women with affected breasts that become gigantic. I’d ask about the possibility of breast lymphedema!
Hi @triciaot, Thanks for your response. I will be having whole breast radiation, so maybe I should expect some shrinkage. But I guess like many things related to treatment there are a lot of unknowns.
Fingers crossed that your enlarged axillary lymph node is benign and that the doctors can do something to ease any discomfort it may cause. Good luck!