TNBC: Pain in armpit, how do I ensure it's not cancer coming back?

I was lucky in that the cancer was caught early as a stage 1A, 8 mm tumor (including clean margins)qp. I had a lumpectomy and sentinel lymph node biopsy that was negative for cancer cells.

The OncotypeDX yielded a very low risk of recurrence so no chemo was recommended by my oncologists. I declined site-only radiation. Tried aromatase inhibitors but had side effects and other concerns about them so discontinued them. I'm older so that made quality of life more important than my 5.5% risk of recurrence within 9 years.

It was a judgment call that the OncotypeDX helped me make. Absent the clean sentinel lymph node and OncotypeDX low-recurrence risk result, I wouldn't have had the data to help me decide. Knowledge is power, good data is one source of it.

Hi, sounds like you experienced my story. Now I’m facing treatment after lumpectomy. Radiation, or AI? What treatment did you choose? Any or none?
Tnx, Elliej

I had a lumpectomy with sentinel node removal, radiation & chemo and have had major armpit pain/ burning/hypersensitivity for years - 6 years later the armpit is still sensitive. It’s not a lymph node issue - nerves get cut and/or stretched during surgery and doctors don’t like to talk about nerve pain, which for me was very frustrating. I tried physical therapy, massage, acupuncture, meds (gabapentin), desensitization, meditation and topicals. PT is helpful but does not fix nerve pain. Gabapentin did nothing for it. Found a topical with CBD and one with arnica that provided some temporary relief. Started wearing looser tops to keep friction out of armpit. Keep telling your doctors about it. I didn’t expect the armpit pain either and hope it will keep slowly getting duller until it’s gone. Good luck.

I had that...scar tissue from surgery! This is reply to woman worried about armpit pain

Talking about COVID vaccine and lymph inflammation , my surgeon have confirmed the possibilities.
But what about possible early breast cancer stage after Covid vaccination??
One month after first vaccine I have discover small lump in my right breast . The mammogram have shown the cancer in SITU.
When I have double checked, ithe mammogram has shown also incapsulated cancerous cells in the left breast.
Was it coincident at age 81, or one of the vaccine potential side effects.??
Have bilateral lumpectomy done.
Refused any chemo, or radiation.
Neither Oncotype DX, nor any
tumour markers tests have been recommended and/or refused by surgeon and by 2 oncologist.
Now on Tamoxifen hormone therapy ( better for the post- menopause cancer reoccurrence )
So far, year after, the mammogram tests are negative!
Is anybody have experienced similar consequences after vaccination ??
Interesting to know. Thank you 😊

I was scheduled for a routine mammogram until I mentioned a small lump in armpit. My PCP automatically changed the prescription to diagnostic mammogram plus ultrasound. The underarm lump was nothing but the two tests confirmed a small tumor in left breast. I had lumpectomy and clear sentinel node biopsies. My follow-up instructions from oncologist for the next five years include physical exam and blood work, including tumor markers, every six months and yearly mammogram plus ultrasound.

Maybe you can lobby for the ultrasound or get a second opinion. Maybe change doctors. I'd want every reasonable test that can be done especially if it's non-invasive and pretty risk-free.

@maryk65 May I suggest, when the new oncologist gets there, if prior to your September appointment, you call for a phone consultation or better yet a telehealth to discuss your upcoming appointment. This way she will be familiar with your case and recognize your face. It will give her a heads up about you and maybe she will actually look into the situation prior to your appointment. We have to advocate for ourselves and be proactive. Good luck. My tumor was found by a MRI , not by the Mammo. Blessings to you. Please come back and let us know how you’re doing. Hang tough. 💪🏼

I am in NJ and I was under the impression that dense breasts= mammogram + ultrasound because a law was passed in 2014. I thought it was every state. If it weren’t for the ultrasound, they would not have found the cancer in the second breast which was invasive. My gyno would always write the script. My insurance covered it. Now I alternate ultrasound and MRI, but if I have discomfort, they will seek approval for MRI. It’s my surgeon’s decision and not the oncologist or the hospital where he is. My sister, who sees a PCP, has to argue every year and it’s written “if needed.” I always tell her that they can’t always tell when it’s needed. The second cancer didn’t show up on the mammogram. Mammogram detected one breast, ultrasound, the other.
I think there’s a difference between detection and survival.

I would second getting a different team if you can. I too have dense breasts and TNBC, and my standard monitoring after my expander came out was a MRI and Mamagram every year staggered so I get one every 6 months.

Well, my first MRI found something against my ribcage on my side where no breast tissue should be, so we had to follow with a Mammogram and Ultrasound, then a biopsy and clip. It's benign, but that now has escalated all three screenings to be done every six months.

That is my breast surgeon’s recommendation. My oncologist left and I see new one in September. I’m going to ask her what she thinks when I see her.