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Swelling At SLNB Site Almost 3 Years Post-Surgery
Hello, Everyone! I have some noticeable swelling just above the scar from my sentinel lymph node biopsy. It is not at all painful or tender. I asked my oncologist’s NP about it; she definitely agrees there is swelling. She said it could just be fluid, and ordered an ultrasound, which I’ll have along with my next scheduled mammogram on Aug 1. All I can find on the subject leads me to believe it really is just fluid (lymphedema), but the fear that it’s cancer again is ever-present. I was stage 2A, HR+, HER2-, grade 3, Oncotype score 20. Cancer was found in one of the four lymph nodes removed at the time of my lumpectomy. I had chemo, radiation, and have been on exemestane and Verzenio for about two years. I availed myself of every treatment because my oncologist, though confident we removed the cancer, also stressed that I’m at high risk of recurrence. Has anyone else experienced anything like this? I’m not freaking out, but I’m definitely worried.
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@sarahmh, it's only natural that any symptom gets your mind racing and worried about the return of cancer. I'm glad that you are getting follow-up to investigate the swelling. I agree with you that the higher likelihood is that the swelling in lymph fluid related.
Is the swelling new? Lymphedema can occur months or years after treatment. Have you experienced lymphedema before?
It is new. I developed mild breast lymphedema shortly after my lumpectomy/SLNB almost three years ago, but this underarm swelling has appeared in the last two months. My breast lymphedema is easily managed with a Swell Spot and a tight bra. I had been participating in a lymphedema exercise class, but I haven't been going at all lately...So the underarm swelling really is almost certainly lymph fluid. I just wondered if anyone else had experienced anything similar! I'll be very glad to get my mammogram and ultrasound!
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1 ReactionHi Sarah, I had a sentinel node removed 12 years ago, together with a lumpectomy. Just a year ago I started to get little itchy lumps in the lumpectomy scar. Over the last year these spread a little up my arm and down the skin on my chest wall. Ultrasound didn't show any abnormality but biopsies showed there were "little nests of breast cancer cells". I have now had radiation treatment for it and awaiting results of a CT scan. However, most of the lumpyness has disappeared but I still have that itchyness in the affected areas. Wishing you all the best.
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2 ReactionsOh wow, this is great info. In the past week or so I have developed what looks and feels like pimples in both my armpits! They're not itchy like yours. I have no explanation for why they have appeared (no change in deodorant, detergent, etc.) All the best to you, too!