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My 3rd & last time with cancer it appeared in my sternum. Had to have part of my left chest wall removed, which included a couple of ribs as well as piece of collarbone & sternum. Pectoral muscle was stretched & skin graft done. My question is can this affect my posture on left side, my left hip hurts horrible & I have degenerative arthritis in spine.

August 20, 2020
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A MyBCTeam Member

Do sorry you are going thru this. And yes these would affect your posture. So many nerves irritated. Duevto my back issues I see a chiropractor once a month. He always checks to see if my legs are the same length since my hip muscles tighten and pull my left leg up a bit so it is shorter. So he adjusts my spine until again at 3 weeks later. Also when I have had surgery I ask them to be careful of my back and not flip me around on the gurney like I'm a tuna they just dumped out of a wheelbarrow.

July 30, 2024
MyBCTeam

It's understandable to experience some discomfort after a lumpectomy with lymph node removal. Here are some key points from your knowledge base:

Common Experiences Post-Surgery
- Aching and Pain: It's common to feel some pain or aching in the breast and underarm area after surgery.
- Lymphedema: Swelling in the breast, Show Full Answer

It's understandable to experience some discomfort after a lumpectomy with lymph node removal. Here are some key points from your knowledge base:

Common Experiences Post-Surgery:
- Aching and Pain: It's common to feel some pain or aching in the breast and underarm area after surgery.
- Lymphedema: Swelling in the breast, arm, chest, or abdomen due to fluid build-up can occur, especially if multiple lymph nodes were removed.
- Long-Term Side Effects: Lymphedema is a notable long-term side effect, particularly if you had an axillary lymph node dissection (ALND).

Risk Factors for Lymphedema:
- ALND: More extensive lymph node removal increases the risk.
- Radiation Therapy: Treatment to the lymph nodes can contribute.
- Smoking and Diabetes: Both are additional risk factors.

Management Tips:
- Monitor Symptoms: Keep an eye on any swelling or changes in the affected area.
- Consult Your Doctor: Discuss any persistent pain or new symptoms with your healthcare provider.

For more detailed information, you can refer to the articles on lymph node removal and lymphedema from MyBCTeam.

July 30, 2024
A MyBCTeam Member

Thanks Theresa for your honest answer. I would imagine that a bone biopsy would be incredibly painful. Sending hugs right back at ya! 💗

August 20, 2020
A MyBCTeam Member

Tracy I was actually having pain & my family dr sent me to get a ct scan. We were both stunned when the test came back as suspicious for cancer. My onco then ordered a biopsy & not trying to scare you but ask if they can put you to sleep for it. I have had a lot of biopsies but I have never felt such pain, you cannot numb the bone. Mine was from breast cancer, they tried a metal plate but it would not heal due to previous radiation. Good luck hon & lots of hugs

August 20, 2020
A MyBCTeam Member

Wow you have been through the wringer my friend. I would think that anything effecting your posture would certainly make your hips hurt. But also are you on medications? Those too could be causing joint pain. I am curious about the sternum, as I had an MRI done in December that showed a lesion on my sternum. They sent me for a CT and it did not show up, so that was the end of that and then Covid struck. But I have my oncologist appt on Tuesday and I plan on asking her if we can follow up with another MRI because I am bothered by this. Also I read that MRI is superior to CT and PET for finding sternal lesions. I also read that ILC is more commonly the cancer that can go to the sternum, which is what I had. Can I ask how they found your sternal lesion? Thanks, Tracy

August 20, 2020

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