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What Causes Discomfort In Right Arm Of A Breast Cancer Patient?
Question: Request an oncologist .Breat cancer patient. Ten years ago I had one positive node under right arm ( mastectomy was 4 yrs prior). Had chemo and have been on Arimidex. Having discomfort under same arm...in trying to locate source of pain I did not feel anything unusual. But a more aggressive search with soapy fingers found a spongy area that seemed to be attached to something like a cord about 4 inches below original incision. PC didn't have any concerns but when I made her feel this area more thoroughly ( using lotion) she did say there was some tissue but unlikely a node.
CT ordered supposedly for my piece of mind..She said possible scar tissue and/ or caused by surgical clips left in axilla. Discomfort and pain diminishing but could be muscle pull. Ten years out with only one encapsulated ER+ node...what's the likelihood I'm in trouble again ?
CT ordered supposedly for my piece of mind..She said possible scar tissue and/ or caused by surgical clips left in axilla. Discomfort and pain diminishing but could be muscle pull. Ten years out with only one encapsulated ER+ node...what's the likelihood I'm in trouble again ?
Brief Answer:
unlikely to be cancer recurrence
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thanks for your query.
This is unlikely to be recurrent cancer. After 10 years recurrence is not impossible but very rare. The symptoms you are describing are not very suggestive also. There is no definite lump and the feel you have described fits with scar tissue indeed.
These recurrences are usually painless lumps to start with, so starting with pain and discomfort doesn't suggest cancer recurrence.
Probably it was some muscle pull only. CT can give you full reassurance.
Hope this helps.
Regards
unlikely to be cancer recurrence
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thanks for your query.
This is unlikely to be recurrent cancer. After 10 years recurrence is not impossible but very rare. The symptoms you are describing are not very suggestive also. There is no definite lump and the feel you have described fits with scar tissue indeed.
These recurrences are usually painless lumps to start with, so starting with pain and discomfort doesn't suggest cancer recurrence.
Probably it was some muscle pull only. CT can give you full reassurance.
Hope this helps.
Regards
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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