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Is it normal to have pain months after a lumpectomy?

Author

Matthew Martinez

Updated on February 23, 2026

Is it normal to have pain months after a lumpectomy?

Some people have pain in their breast, chest, arm or armpit for months or even years after they had surgery. It can happen after any type of breast surgery, including a lumpectomy (wide local excision), mastectomy, lymph node removal and breast reconstruction.

Then, how long does pain last after lumpectomy?

For 1 or 2 days after the surgery, you will probably feel tired and have some pain. The skin around the cut (incision) may feel firm, swollen, and tender, and be bruised. Tenderness should go away in about 2 or 3 days, and the bruising within 2 weeks. Firmness and swelling may last for 3 to 6 months.

Likewise, what are the side effects of a lumpectomy? 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 surgical site.
  • Change in the shape and appearance of the breast, particularly if a large portion is removed.

Also to know is, how long does it take for nerves to heal after breast surgery?

In some cases, it can take two to three years for complete recovery.

What does scar tissue feel like after lumpectomy?

Scar tissue can cause its own side effects: nerve pain or numbness if scar tissue forms around nerves. A lump of scar tissue forms in the hole left after breast tissue is removed. If scar tissue forms around a stitch from surgery it's called a suture granuloma and also feels like a lump.

How long do you wear a sports bra after lumpectomy?

If you had a lumpectomy, we recommend that you wear a wireless bra 24 hours a day for the first week or two. If you had a mastectomy, it is up to you if you'd like to wear a bra or camisole unless otherwise told by your surgical team. Some bras are more comfortable than others to wear during this time.

Do I need a special bra after a lumpectomy?

In the first year after breast surgery (such as a mastectomy or lumpectomy), it's best to wear a bra that has: soft seams. a wide underband (the band that goes under the cups and round your back) cup separation (the centre of the bra between the cups should sit flat on your chest)

How long does nerve pain last after lumpectomy?

This condition can develop up to several months after surgery and can persist for three to six or more years. Direct injury to the intercostobrachial nerve and other sensory nerves in the underarm (axilla) and breast areas during surgery causes PMPS.

How long does a lumpectomy scar take to heal?

The scar will need to remain covered for 7–10 days. Wounds can weep a little and the dressing may need to be changed. If this is the case, or if you have any other wound problems, the ward staff, your local dressing clinic, or your breast care nurse will be able to advise you on how to manage this.

How long does breast tissue take to heal after lumpectomy?

Recovery from a lumpectomy is different for every woman. Healing time after surgery can range anywhere from a few days to a week. After a lumpectomy without a lymph node biopsy, you're likely to feel well enough to return to work after two or three days.

How long do you have to wear a bra after a lumpectomy?

Bras after surgery

If you have had a wide local excision (lumpectomy), we recommend that you wear a non-wired supportive bra day and night for two weeks after surgery. After that you should wear it during the day for further four weeks. It is important that your breast is supported until the swelling has settled.

What does breast look like after lumpectomy?

With lumpectomy, the breast looks as close as possible to how it did before surgery. Most often, the general shape of the breast and the nipple area are preserved.

What should I wear after lumpectomy surgery?

What to bring. A button-down or loose fitting shirt. A supportive bra, such as a sports bra, to wear after your surgery.

Is tingling a sign of nerve healing?

It is important to differentiate this tingling from the pain sometimes produced by pressure on an injured nerve. The pain is a sign of irritation of the nerve; tingling is a sign of regeneration; or more precisely, tingling indicates the presence of young axons, in the process of growing.

What promotes nerve healing?

Typically, damaged nerve fibres of the central nervous system (CNS) in the brain, the optic nerve and spinal cord don't have the ability to regenerate.

What does it feel like when nerve damage is healing?

With a pain solver, however, our nerves become unblocked and begin to receive impulses again. This re-awakening of our healing nerves is felt through slight tingling sensations often described as a "pins and needles" effect. This is a normal reaction of the nerves as they work overtime to regain normal function.

Is it normal to have pain in breast after lumpectomy?

It can happen after any type of breast surgery, including a lumpectomy (wide local excision), mastectomy, lymph node removal and breast reconstruction. The pain is usually caused by bruising, stretching or damage to nerves during surgery or when scar tissue forms.

Does massage help nerve regeneration?

With regular, hourlong therapy sessions conducted by a professional massage therapist, neuropathy patients may see improvements in areas once affected by nerve damage. They may also experience gradual relief from sensations caused by nerve damage.

Is heat good for nerve pain?

The combination of hot and cold increases the circulation of fresh blood to the area, which may help relieve pain. Hold an ice pack over the affected area for about 15 minutes at a time, three times a day to help reduce inflammation. Heat pads can be applied for a longer period, up to 1 hour, three times a day.

What does nerve pain feel like?

Nerve pain often feels like a shooting, stabbing or burning sensation. Sometimes it can be as sharp and sudden as an electric shock. People with neuropathic pain are often very sensitive to touch or cold and can experience pain as a result of stimuli that would not normally be painful, such as brushing the skin.

How long does pain last after sentinel node biopsy?

After your biopsy, you may have some stiffness or pain, in your arm or leg on your affected side (the side where your lymph nodes were removed). If you still have stiffness or pain 6 weeks after your procedure, call your doctor.

What happens after lumpectomy and lymph nodes removed?

Allow yourself to get enough rest so that you can return to your normal routine in a few days. There are a number of ways to manage fatigue. Take pain medication as needed. You might feel a mixture of numbness and pain around the surgery area in the breast (and the armpit incision, if you had lymph nodes removed).

Can I skip radiation after lumpectomy?

CHICAGO (January 27, 2016): Nearly two thirds of U.S. women age 70 or older with stage I breast cancer1 who undergo lumpectomy and are eligible to safely omit subsequent radiation therapy (RT) according to national cancer guidelines still receive this treatment, according to new study results.

What is the success rate of a lumpectomy?

Ten years after diagnosis, disease-specific survival rates were: 94% for women who got lumpectomy plus radiation. 90% for women who got mastectomy alone. 83% for women who got mastectomy plus radiation.

Is lumpectomy a major surgery?

A lumpectomy is a common but major surgery with significant risks and potential complications. You may have more effective treatment options for your type and stage of breast cancer. You may also have less invasive treatment options for noncancerous tumors.

Are lymph nodes removed during lumpectomy?

If you have invasive breast cancer, your surgeon will probably remove some of the lymph nodes under your arm during your lumpectomy or mastectomy. Examining your lymph nodes helps your doctors figure out the extent of cancer involvement.

What are the long term side effects of tamoxifen?

Side effects of tamoxifen
  • abnormal vaginal bleeding or discharge.
  • pain or pressure in the pelvis.
  • leg swelling or tenderness.
  • chest pain.
  • shortness of breath.
  • weakness, tingling, or numbness in your face, arm, or leg.
  • difficulty speaking or understanding.
  • vision problems.

What are the long term effects of breast radiation?

Long-term side effects can last beyond a year after treatment. They may include a slight darkening of your skin, enlarged pores on your breast, more or less sensitive skin, thickening of breast tissue or skin, and a change in the size of the breast.

How serious is invasive ductal carcinoma?

Over time, invasive ductal carcinoma can spread to the lymph nodes and possibly to other areas of the body. According to the American Cancer Society, more than 180,000 women in the United States find out they have invasive breast cancer each year.

Can breast tissue grow back after lumpectomy?

In most instances, all of your breast tissue is removed during a mastectomy. As a result, it is extremely unlikely that your breast tissue will grow back after the procedure. Fortunately, you can undergo breast reconstruction to restore a natural breast appearance.

When can you lift after lumpectomy?

You should not lift your arm above shoulder level until cleared by your plastic surgeon. You may return to low-impact exercises four weeks after surgery.

Does a lumpectomy leave scar tissue?

Tenderness. Hard scar tissue (keloid) where the surgery took place. Changes in the shape and appearance of your breast, particularly if a large portion was removed. Numbness and swelling in your arm (called lymphedema) if you had lymph nodes removed.

What does pain from scar tissue feel like?

Patients with scar tissue pain typically complain of neuropathic pain, during which continuous pain is present, alternating with spontaneous attacks of stabbing pain in the scar area. This pain can sometimes occur after a complaint-free period lasting some months postoperatively.

What does internal scar tissue feel like?

Scar tissue forms after an injury, and it can develop on the skin's surface or inside the body. For some people, scar tissue may cause pain, tightness, itching, or difficulty moving. Due to the way that scar tissue matures over time, these symptoms may occur years after an injury.

Why is my scar lumpy?

When the skin is wounded, the tissues break, which causes a protein called collagen to be released. Collagen builds up where the tissue is damaged, helping to heal and strengthen the wound. New collagen continues forming for several months and the blood supply increases, causing the scar to become raised and lumpy.

Can scar tissue grow years after surgery?

Adhesions typically begin to form within the first few days after surgery, but they may not produce symptoms for months or even years. As scar tissue begins to restrict motion of the small intestines, passing food through the digestive system becomes progressively more difficult.

Can scar tissue hurt years after surgery?

Pain that comes on years later

In some cases, pain from scar tissue is noticeable right away. In others, the pain may come on years later. Sometimes this has to do with nerves that develop after the injury itself heals.

Can massaging a scar make it worse?

As the scar matures you can increase the pressure of the massage to help soften scars. Your therapist will guide you in this process as massaging too firmly initially can make scarring worse. As discussed previously the new skin which has formed following the injury lacks the moisture needed.

How do you massage a scar tissue to break it down?

Here's how we recommend you massage your scar tissue at home:
  1. In early healing phases, try and massage your scar for 10-15 minutes a day (2-3 times a day for 5 mins).
  2. Apply a non-perfumed Vitamin E lotion or oil to your scar area.
  3. Using the pad of your thumb or finger, firmly massage in a circular motion.

How long does it take for scar tissue to soften?

Scars continue to grow and change throughout the recovery process which may take from twelve to eighteen months. Scar massage is an effective way to decrease scar tissue build up and help make scars less noticeable. Massage will not help soften a scar more than two years old.

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