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Worried about upcoming reduction (had lumpectomy 3 weeks ago)
Breast Cancer | Last Active: Mar 19, 2024 | Replies (37)Comment receiving replies
I think the biggest concern for breast shrinkage after radiation is when they do whole breast radiation. I had partial breast radiation - and my breast is actually larger. I don’t have an accurate answer for why - I thought that there was still a possibility that there might be shrinkage at my 1 year check. They are also watching an enlarged axillary lymph node on the same side, so I thought there might still be upcoming surgery.
I’m coming up to my 18 month check, and I plan to get specific answers as to what the expectation is now.
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!
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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!