It likely will become tighter and harder, tighter, and lumpier over the next 2-6 weeks. ago I was diagnosed with infiltrating ductal carcinoma with 3 positive nodes and had a lumpectomy (left breast) followed by chemo & radiation. Importance Surgery after initial lumpectomy to obtain more widely clear margins is common and may lead to mastectomy. I am now taking Anastrazole. SwellingOther symptoms may include: pain. Side effects: Common side effects after a lumpectomy may include: Pain, tenderness, or swelling of the breast. . Objective To describe surgeons’ approach to surgical margins for invasive breast cancer, and changes in postlumpectomy surgery rates, and final surgical treatment following a 2014 consensus statement endorsing a margin of. This article will focus on ICBN damage after axillary lymph node surgery. After the lumpectomy I had a spot near the incision site that was numb, which I understand can be normal. I was on Tamoxifen for 5 years. Telling someone on your care team if you’re in pain. org. The amount of muscle, tissue and lymphatic system removal may have an impact on how much pain is felt. Doctors commonly use a lumpectomy to treat small, early-stage breast cancer tumors in females. I had a lumpectomy October 31, 2011 and a revision to the surgery in mid-December. This helped me for sure. You will have some pain after breast surgery (lumpectomy, mastectomy or breast reconstruction). I went through chemo from January through April and finished radiation in mid June. I did have terrible terrible pain after my lumpectomy. This may be permanent. In 20% of these cases on average, a second procedure will be needed to remove lingering cancer. It also sometimes feels as if I am burnt inside this area. 1136/eb-2013-101418. Like the ants, it comes and go. The prevalence of PMPS has been shown to be higher after lumpectomy than after mastectomy (Tasmuth et al, 1996, 1997). Has anyone else experienced this?Almost a year ago I had a lumpectomy in my right breast followed by radiotherapy and I now take tamoxifen. Treatment for breast pain after surgery depends on the type and severity of pain you're experiencing. This pain, which can occur in the breast and/or upper extremity, affects 25% to 60% of patients. I had to get a LOT of lidocaine shots. the shooting pain in my breast finally went away 2 weeks ago and now after just one treatment of radiation I can feel the pain coming bacj and a tearing feeling under my arm. This type of breast pain is more common in women between 30 and 50 years of age. Anyone else who had a lumpectomy, is your breast still very tender. Research shows that about half of women who have breast cancer surgery have continuing pain problems a year or more after surgery. It may help to take pain relief in liquid form, particularly before eating, until the discomfort improves. Commonly, there's a nerve called the Intercostal. I had a TAH in 2000. Postbiopsy mammograms are used to determine the adequacy of clip placement and the location of the clip. 5 years (SD, ± 7. I know there were 6 or more metal staples put in my left breast to secure blood vessels. , exact pathogenesis of PMPS remain unclear; Affects 25%-60% of patients Prevalence is higher after lumpectomy than after mastectomyA lumpectomy (also called a partial mastectomy) is a breast cancer surgery that removes a tumor plus a normal margin of surrounding healthy breast tissue. Scar tissue can cause its own side effects: nerve pain or numbness if scar tissue forms around nerves. Your healthcare provider will also discuss. Laura Esserman, the director of the Carol Franc Buck Breast Care Center in San Francisco, said she was shocked to learn of the prevalence of the problem when one of the speakers at a 2011 symposium she led on the management of breast cancer symptoms said that 20 to 40 percent of women complained of persistent pain after breast surgery. The goal of this. After radiation treatment, the breast can remain swollen for months or even years — this is known as edema. Many women describe it as feeling like the vibration of a muted cell phone. This means that about 66% of the women had mild to severe pain 1 year after breast cancer surgery. What is seroma? After breast cancer surgery, fluid may collect where tissue was removed. Do not lift anything heavy. This is called a breast seroma. While phantom breast syndrome is. In the last few days I have had small twisting twitches of pain that stop when I grab my breast (very hard to manage that in public), and I have sharp shooting pains that don't last long but enough to make my nerves jump up and notice!spontaneously, after any breast procedure such as lumpectomy, or even af-ter percutaneous needle biopsy [3–7]. Not constant and periodically which I believe involved the implant shifting to my left side (think laying on back sleeping). December 2016 edited December 2016. 1 Chronic postsurgical pain. Believe it was a fairly large lumpectomy because it was coded partial mastectomy -- definitely within 3 weeks I had no pain, but the scar line/node area still causes discomfort from time to time and that's been 3 months. The pain can last for some time. Had to have more revision surgeries (hisense). Another common aftereffect of surgery — be it a lumpectomy or mastectomy —; is back pain. I had my chemo before surgery and have just finished rads. I have read estimates that up to 60% of women with breast cancer experience some degree of shoulder discomfort. Some women have reported. Another type of swelling called lymphedema is more common, and is a result of either lymph node removal surgery (which has nothing to do with radiation), or radiation that has damaged nearby lymph nodes. A number of lymph nodes may also be removed to test them for cancerous cells ( sentinel lymph. Knobf T. This pain and sensory dysfunction may also contribute to secondary complications such as reduced range of motion in the arm. Sensations or Pain After Breast Cancer Surgery. Peripheral neve surgery may be an option for patients experiencing chronic post-mastectomy pain. He said it sounded like I was experiencing fibromyalgia. To learn more about this program and other helpful resources, call the Komen Breast Care Helpline at 1-877 GO KOMEN (1-877-465-6636) or email helpline@komen. Just wondering if this is normal and if anyone else has notice the swollen and tenderness still especially since its been a year. Breast-conserving surgery (lumpectomy) also known as breast preservation,. Damage to the ICBN can also happen during other surgeries and radiation therapy in the axillary area. It ended up being an intraductal papilloma, with a few abnormal features. Lumpectomy is also. Usually, some surrounding healthy tissue and lymph nodes also are removed. Ongoing pain or discomfort can happen after any type of breast surgery, including a lumpectomy (wide local excision), a mastectomy, lymph node removal and breast reconstruction. Bruises are generally flat and tender to the touch, whereas hematomas can be raised, hard, and painful. I also recovered really well. The stinging and shooting pains from my lumpectomy went on for months. During this time, it’s very common for people with breast cancer to report concerns with swelling, pain, and asymmetry, which complicate bra shopping. Cover it with a towel. It may: Make the breast smaller or larger. Changes to the skin of your breast. 21 References; 818 Citing Articles; Related Articles; Abstract Background. I’m grumpy. I have had some painful spots since the 1st surgery, and then in general a larger tender spot under excision. Some common causes of sharp pain in breast. I think it's been about 2 weeks since the surgery. Breast pain can range from mild to severe. I've had problems with that because the ridge pushes on nerves which can cause numbness. pain/cording after lumpectomy and SNB. I was 58 then. 41; Lymphedema Monitoring. So today, Sunday, I have had a lot of pain around about, but deeper inside where my tumour was. An herbal oil helped relieve the sting better than anything I tried. I think this is probably right but it is so hard not to be worried. These symptoms are usually temporary and start to get better over a matter of months, but they can be permanent. Some people feel very tired and exhausted most, or all of the time. Donate. tightness. Radiation therapy stops fast dividing cells from dividing thereby halting the growth of any cancer cells. Taking care of this incision is imperative for both healing and avoiding infection . I have only slight pain here—perhaps because I assiduously did exercises from Thriving After Breast Cancer by Sherry Lebed Davis. Change the texture of the breast. Radiation therapy (usually given after a lumpectomy) can also affect the look of the breast. Damage to the nerve can cause pain or numbness in the surgical site area. There are no major systemic symptoms or laboratory findings; mild symptoms, if present, most. I expected the mammogram to be uncomfortable but did not expect to feel. Kanchwala says usually takes about a year and will vary from patient to patient. Arm pain after breast surgery can be due to lymphedema. , 1994) but have been found to be associated with other types of pain after lumpectomy or mastectomy in some studies (Tasmuth et al. Chemotherapy and radiation therapy seem not to increase the risk of phantom breast pain (Krøner et al. But for between 20 and 30 percent of those patients, the pain never goes away. We are given exercises, remember the. Scaring from radiotherapy may cause nerve damage in the arm on the treated side. The treatment of this condition depends on its staging, and surgical resection constituting an important step in an attempt to cure the disease. will have had a diagnosis of invasive breast cancer in their lifetime. Posted by adreb2 @adreb2, Jun 19, 2022. What does ongoing pain feel like? The pain may be in your scar, breast, armpit, arm or shoulder. DBC is defined as a clinical condition comprising diffuse breast erythema, edema, tenderness, and mild warmth, occurring at least 3 months following breast-conserving surgery and more than 3 weeks after completion of radiotherapy . Most pain stems from damage to the intercostal brachial nerve, which runs under the arm and rib cage. I had a lumpectomy for primary breast cancer in March 2013 followed by chemo, rads and Herceptin. You may have swelling in your arm closest to the lumpectomy or where lymph nodes were removed. Aches . The scar will need to remain covered for 7–10 days. 5 years after Mammogram Mammography tech's do not believe some women have intense pain during mammogaphy information of breast cancer Pain after mammogram Breast Pain After Mammogram burning and peeling skin on face after mammogram Pain after mammogram, It's been 8 days now and I'm wondering if. Just tell your doctor and see what he says before too much freaking. Now having pain and my nipple is sinking in. If you are experiencing rib pain after a mastectomy, it’s essential to talk with your doctor about pain management. Lymph nodes in the armpit (axilla) may also be removed. A separate drainage tube is often placed if you have a lymph node dissection. 7% of the women said they had severe pain. Reduces Bruising and Swelling. Persistent, unexplained breast pain. These hormones cause your breasts to swell and can lead to tenderness. You will go home with a breast binder. There was no lymph node involvement. For 1 or 2 days after the surgery, you will probably feel tired and have some pain. Removing the entire lump is known as an excisional biopsy. I had both breasts lifted and augmented (saline) in 1994. I am 49. The researchers found that certain factors were linked to continuing pain after surgery: preoperative pain problems. When I had my lumpectomy on Nov. Charlotteanne over 2 years ago. I don't think the burning is normal. I had a lumpectomy and lymph node biopsy 13 days ago as they had found cancer in my breast. Your doctor may call it breast-conserving surgery, partial mastectomy, or excisional. A bruise on the breast can be caused by localized bleeding from small blood vessels, such as capillaries. Some people may experience pain in the chest area, armpit, or arm after lumpectomy surgery. Breast pain, also known as mastalgia, can be associated with many conditions, including: Hormonal changes during menstrual cycle. Breast lump removal is done as an outpatient surgery most of the time. Laura Esserman, the director of the Carol Franc Buck Breast Care Center in San Francisco, said she was shocked to learn of the prevalence of the problem when one of the speakers at a 2011 symposium she led on the management of breast cancer symptoms said that 20 to 40 percent of women complained of persistent pain after. Slowly let your elbows fall gently out to the side. Many patients with breast cancer are candidates for breast conservation therapy. pain in the surgical scar. These cancers are described in more detail below. Rare long-term side effects. Some people experience burning or shooting pain in their chest wall that may not go away over time. 30 views 0 replies Started 34 minutes ago by Jax007. Together we will beat cancer. Although the diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer often negatively affect mental health and physical health, most people have a good quality of life after completing breast cancer treatment. Phantom sensations after mastectomy might not involve pain, but there are reports of 17 per cent of women up to. As the nerves regrow and heal,the breast is very sensitive to the. It seriously affects quality of life. No bc in muscle and clear margins. Some very common reasons for sharp shooting pain in breast include the following: 1. I had breast implants 17 years ago. Breast pain almost 2 years after lumpectomy. numbness, tingling. 1 reply trixie1313 | @trixie1313 | Jan 3, 2021 @katrina123 Katrina, this could be from radiation after effects where the radiation can cause a "ridge" in the breast tissue. Once treatment is complete, it should be followed with chemotherapy or light. I have recently felt a little tightness and some very minor pain but in my scar since I've been diagnosed metastatic to the bone and was very ill. Has anyone else experienced this?This surgery might also be called a lumpectomy, quadrantectomy,. It seems I'm a patient now! 2099218 views 10311 replies Latest: 45 minutes ago by moomy. Breast-conserving surgery (BCS) removes the cancer while leaving as much normal breast as possible. Risk factors for recurrence included higher tumor grade, being younger than 50 years old, having cancer in lymph nodes in the armpit region, and having a hormone receptor–negative breast cancer. They have increased with the radiation treatments. Often, breast pain is caused due to hormonal changes but may also arise due to an infection, noncancerous blockages or tissue growths, and injuries to the chest or breast. What are the causes and different types of pains found after breast surgery? Pain may persist after surgery due to numerous reasons such as surgical injury- nerve or. Patients with chronic post-mastectomy pain can also experience significant discomfort from even minor sources like clothing, seat belts, or coughing. Your tendency after surgery is to slump. Had lumpectomy about exactly same time. While phantom breast syndrome is common, it is less talked. This is known as cyclic breast pain. Often, the entire lesion is removed and clips are used to localize the biopsy site. sharp shooting pains, hardness in breast Hi, I have just completed 6 weeks of rads, post lumpectomy. Signs and symptoms of local recurrence on the chest wall after a mastectomy may include: One or more painless nodules on or under the skin of your chest wall. Lumpectomy is a surgical procedure that carries a risk of side effects, including: Bleeding; Infection; Pain; Temporary swelling; Tenderness; Formation of hard scar tissue at the. Pain from surgery (breast, lymph node or reconstruction), radiation, rotator cuff tendonitis, nerve damage, cording, or other side effects of breast cancer treatment including lymphedema can lead to shoulder underuse, either consciously or subconsciously. Most of the time this occurs because of injury to a nerve. BACKGROUND. IBC: IBC is a. Summary Post mastectomy pain syndrome (PMPS) is persistent nerve pain that people may experience after having a mastectomy or some types of breast-conserving surgery. This swelling is called lymphedema. It feels muscular and is worse when I take a deep breath. Unfortunately, however, when nipple inversion is present, it is often because the removal of the diseased tissue created a void behind the nipple, and this is. , 1995, Tasmuth et al. It will subside but people do say that it's not unusual to experience some aches and stabbing pains for up. Severe or ongoing headaches. The following tips may help you manage your pain and improve your quality of life. I went to oncologist yesterday and told her. “The pain isn’t constant,” a third member shared in regard to post-lumpectomy pain. It is also known by other names: lumpectomy, partial mastectomy, segmental mastectomy or quadrantectomy. The Breast Blog. 53On the other hand, exterior scar tissue can be painful. I still have shooting pains in breast and under arm. trouble using hands to pick up objects or fasten clothing. Water retention, which may also occur during menstruation. Breast-conserving surgery is sometimes called lumpectomy, quadrantectomy, partial mastectomy, or segmental mastectomy depending on how much tissue is removed. I am 4. Almost a year ago I had a lumpectomy in my right breast followed by radiotherapy and I now take tamoxifen. Quality of Life After Breast Cancer Treatment . +65 8111 7777 (Orchard) or +65 8111 5777 (Novena) Lumpectomy, or breast lump removal, is an early-stage breast cancer treatment to remove cancerous or abnormal breast tissue. As of 2018, 1 in 8 women in the U. It may help to take pain relief in liquid form, particularly before eating, until the discomfort improves. Breast conserving surgery is also called a wide local excision or lumpectomy. Severe or ongoing headaches. PBTPS can be defined as persistent neuropathic pain, and is often associated with symptoms of numbness, dysesthesia, edema, and allodynia located in the chest wall, axilla, arm, or shoulder of the surgical side. When pathology came back my diagnosis was changed to Invasive Ductal Carcinoma and I was told I'd need to have a second lumpectomy, which they scheduled for later that week to get bigger margins or whatever it's called. Treatment for breast pain after surgery depends on the type and severity of pain you're experiencing. Even in skilled surgical hands, about 30% of patients develop lymphedema after lymph node dissection, in which 5-30 lymph nodes. Feeling much more tired than usual. Pain in breast years After lumpectomy. Discussion. It was horrible. I remember the doctor saying that I could shower the next day. Typical warning signs of breast cancer include: a lump with a different appearance or. In one study, just over 40% of participants reported symptoms of neuropathy 2 years after taxane-based chemotherapy to treat breast cancer. The mainstay of treatment involves exercises and massage techniques to stretch and soften the cord. Commonly, there's a nerve called the. Signs and symptoms of local recurrence on the chest wall after a mastectomy may include: One or more painless nodules on or under the skin of your chest wall. The majority of women diagnosed with breast cancer will undergo either breast conserving surgery or mastectomy. Just a reminder, like we need one. , 1999. It's sometimes referred to as breast conservation surgery or a partial mastectomy. 1 – 4 This chronic pain is believed to be related to injury of the sensory nerves to the breast, chest, and upper arm/axilla. The management of breast cancer is in constant evolution. After a lumpectomy, there will be an incision from the breast tissue removal that must heal. This is known as fatigue. Breast-conserving surgery (lumpectomy) removes the cancer and just enough tissue to get all the cancer. Check Cups Support you Correctly. One of the oddest sensations women feel in their breast is an elusive vibrating or tingling. The exercises can be painful, requiring perseverance and working gradually through the pain, until arm movement improves and the pain subsides. Most problems are minor but some can be serious. Upper arm and scapular numbness that results from nerve damage in the axillary region may be more uncomfortable than surgical pain. Nerves will usually repair themselves, but it can take weeks or months. INTRODUCTION. This is not an uncommon problem. The past 2 weeks have been very painful. Swelling can also affect the breast, chest, shoulder or the area on the back behind the armpit. I just had my first radiation treatment yesterday. Scars or dimples. Breast-conserving surgery (lumpectomy) removes the cancer and just enough tissue to get all the cancer. It can take six months to two years for all of the healing changes to completely resolve. Lauder Breast Center in Manhattan. This is called post-mastectomy pain syndrome (PMPS) because it was first noticed in women who had mastectomies, but it can also happen after other types of breast-conserving surgery (such as a lumpectomy). itchiness. Visit the peripheral nerve surgery page or contact our clinic at 734-998-6022 to learn more about. A part of the breast. If you had breast surgery for breast cancer, such as a lumpectomy, mastectomy, or lymph node removal, and are still experiencing pain, you’re not alone. The occurrence of persistent pain following breast cancer surgery is a well-documented pain condition. It should ease and become less frequent. Offline Lindylum over 5 years ago. I'm only about a month out from the Savi radiation treatment after my lumpectomy. Posted by beckyf @beckyf, Oct 14 1:26am. With a prevalence of 31%, the risk factors for PMPS include younger age, psychosocial factors, radiotherapy. Researchers have reported that physical function and the ability to deal with daily tasks greatly. Sometimes skin is extra sensitive after radiation so I would apply the cream to a tiny place and wait a day to see if it irritates her skin. “The pain isn’t constant,” a third member shared in regard to post-lumpectomy pain. A number of treatment options are available for treating rib pain that continues after breast cancer surgery. 5C or below 36C red or swollen breast your breast feels warm a painful breast fluid seeping from the wound (discharge). @katrina123. • Lymphedema, or pain in the armpit. After a lumpectomy, there will be an incision from the breast tissue removal that must heal. The skin in my armpit felt like it was burning for several weeks. It may go away over time, or it may persist — a condition known as post-mastectomy pain syndrome, which can also happen after lumpectomy surgery. These cancers are described in more detail below. If you are experiencing rib pain after a mastectomy, it’s essential to talk with your doctor about pain management. It could well be for you and me that it is the nerve endings regenerating themselves. Lumpectomy is also called breast-conserving surgery or wide local excision because only a portion of the breast is removed. I have been really well throughout and feel fortunate that I’ve healed well and my treatment has been straight forward. I'm sure it's just healing but I take norco for back pain and it worries me that. After surgery, as your nerves regrow and heal, you might notice your breast is more sensitive. Believe it was a fairly large lumpectomy because it was coded partial mastectomy -- definitely within 3 weeks I had no pain, but the scar line/node area still causes discomfort from time to time and that's been 3 months. Eric. Chest pain, ice pic like shooting pains from cut nerves, etc. Hi I had a lumpectomy in march. Fatigue usually gets better a few weeks after treatment finishes. It may: Make the breast smaller or larger. The outside part of the chest wall. Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women worldwide. Hi, I had lumpectomy and lymph node dissection 2 weeks ago. For the last few days the pain in my breast is awful, but is also radiating down my right side through my ribs, they feel really bruised. Causes. Nerve pain 17 years after breast implants. The goal of managing your acute pain after surgery is to minimize your pain enough to feel comfortable getting up, taking deep. The condition is typically permanent. Adhesions. Lymphedema therapy. It usually occurs after trauma, irradiation, or surgical intervention and can be commonly seen in mastectomy patients after revisions, breast reconstruction, implant removal, or infection . I had 25 nodes removed and 14 of them had cancer. chest pressure uncomfortable squeezing or fullness in the center of the chest that lasts for more than a couple of moments, or that goes away but then comes back trouble. The researchers found that. This year in the U. My cancer was quite deep in the breast as it was hidden under a fibroid and was not picked up by the mammo or other tests, hence the 2 surgeries being done a month apart. There were 43 patients (11. You won’t lose the hair on your head. I keep feeling pain from the scar under my arm pit, every time I touched it it feels very tender and swollen (the arm pit scar). My lumpectomy healed faster than the wound from the node removal. Without it, post-op swelling can linger much longer than. Breast-conserving surgery (lumpectomy) removes the cancer and just enough tissue to get all the cancer. Hi everyone, I’m here tonight cos I’ve been looking for support and reassurance. You may feel minor aches, twinges or shooting pain in the breast area during or after treatment. So very similar to you. Lumpectomy is a surgical procedure that involves removing a suspected malignant (cancerous) tumor or other abnormal tissue and a small portion of the surrounding breast tissue. sensitivity (to the touch) reduced. With a skin-sparing partial mastectomy, surgeons use implants or tissue from. In women 70 years of age or older who have early breast cancer, it is unclear whether lumpectomy plus tamoxifen is as. You can carry doing these. Mine is, especially around the areola which is where the tumor was removed from. Wide under breast panel to provide softness, comfort and support – good design for a surgical bra. Arm morbidity is very common in women undergoing treatments for breast cancer. Introduction: Breast surgery is one of the most commonly performed surgical procedures. m. Sharp shooting pain. 9D. 3% in women who skipped radiation after lumpectomy and took endocrine blockers instead — the same rate expected with radiation use, which was impressive, Dr. Peripheral neve surgery may be an option for patients experiencing chronic post-mastectomy pain. Some women say they have trouble taking a deep breath, comparing the sensation to wearing an “iron bra,” Dr. I had a lumpectomy (Invasive Ductal with Lobular Features) with 4 nodes removed (1 lymph node involved), and I had 33 days of radiation. . Caring for myself after Breast Biopsy/Lumpectomy What are my general guidelines? 1. Background Rates of nipple-sparing mastectomies have increased over the past decade. The incidence varies in different studies, ranging from approximately 30% to as high as 80% of patients after mastectomy. Recent studies indicate between 25-60% of women have some degree of pain or uncomfortable sensations in their breast even years after breast cancer operations. Developing lymphedema – painful swelling in the arm, underarm, hand, chest, abdomen, or back – after breast cancer has traditionally been viewed as a risk worth taking to undergo breast cancer surgery. Had the lumpectomy Nov. DCIS does not cause symptoms and 80% of the time is found only by mammography. Try to repeat this exercise 3 to 5 times a day. It is important that the cups properly support your boobs, if there is gaping in the cup, then try going down a size to get a better fit. Most women can return to normal activities within a few weeks of surgery. Some people may experience pain in the chest area, armpit, or arm after lumpectomy surgery. Chest tightness after a mastectomy is normal. Longer than 10 minutes can cause nerve and skin damage. Symptoms include tingling, numbness, pain, and weakness. Ice helps prevent tissue damage and decreases swelling and pain. I have had CHRONIC PAIN since lumpectomy! Used Duragesic pain patch for 1 yr. Six factors in particular emerged as the most significant indicators, with risk for invasive breast cancer after DCIS diagnosis ranging from 36% to 84%. Yes, I still get shooting pains that I and my surgeon call phantom pain. This means that about 66% of the women had mild to severe pain 1 year after breast cancer surgery. Trusted Source. The tube was pulled early due to a nurses incompetence as I was admitted to the hospital with a serious infection. At first I had pain along my arm but now it has moved to my breast. Posted by adreb2 @adreb2, Jun 19, 2022. As I described my pain, the doctor listened carefully. Shooting pains like I was getting before it was removed but worse. My whole breast aches and the pain goes through to my back. After the Procedure. December 2016 edited December 2016. The stabbing pain your are feeling might be due to the nerves trying to repair themselves. If you have radiotherapy to the area around your collarbone or near your breastbone, you may develop a sore throat or discomfort when swallowing. The International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP) defines it as persistent pain soon after mastectomy or lumpectomy affecting the anterior thorax, axilla and/or upper arm . April 2010 edited April 2010. Check in with your breast surgeon or the RO, whoever you're meeting with next. Cording can also be felt on the trunk as well, typically lower than the mastectomy scar or breast, or under the chest pectoral. Signs of a breast infection, including local redness, pus, or fever. During a lumpectomy, your surgeon will only remove the cancerous tumor and surrounding margin of healthy tissue. I was on Tamoxifen for 5 years. I did chemo, rads and had a mastectomy a year ago with diep reconstruction. 6.