“Has anyone else felt pain in their rib cage after a lumpectomy?” one MyBCTeam member asked.

If you’ve had breast cancer surgery, such as a lumpectomy, mastectomy, or lymph node removal, you’re likely no stranger to pain. Some people may have pain around their ribs after surgery. Pain may improve as they recover.

However, studies say that 20 percent to 60 percent of people have chronic (ongoing) pain. How long pain lasts can depend on many factors, including the type of surgery a person had.

In this article, we’ll explore the connection between breast cancer rib pain. We’ll also share tips for managing pain and explain when to call your doctor.

When Does Rib Cage Pain Start, and How Does It Feel?

As part of breast cancer treatment, many people have surgery to remove tumors, breast tissue, or lymph nodes in the chest and the armpit. Lingering pain after this type of surgery is common.

One study found that 50 percent of people still had mild pain a year after breast cancer surgery. Another 16 percent had moderate to severe pain.

MyBCTeam members have discussed their experiences with pain after surgery. For some, rib cage pain begins months later. “I had a lumpectomy in July,” one member said. “In September, I noticed a pain in my rib when I stretched out my left arm.”

Another member shared their experience with long-lasting pain after breast reconstruction surgery: “I had bilateral mastectomies a year ago, and I still have a lot of issues with rib pain.”

“The pain isn’t constant,” a third member said about pain after a lumpectomy. “It’s just occasional sharp jabbing pain, like a knife under that breast and sometimes under my arm on that side.”

For other people, the pain is achy, dull, or tender. It’s important to describe your pain as clearly as you can. These details help your doctor identify the cause and recommend the best treatment.

What Causes Rib Pain After Breast Cancer Surgery?

Only your doctor can determine what’s causing your pain. Here are some common reasons you may have rib cage pain after breast cancer surgery.

Postmastectomy Pain Syndrome

Postmastectomy pain syndrome (PMPS) is long-lasting pain after breast cancer surgery. Despite its name, PMPS can develop after more than just a mastectomy. It can also occur after procedures such as a lumpectomy.

Common PMPS symptoms include:

• Tingling or numbness in the chest, arm, or armpit
• Pain in the chest wall or shoulder
• Itching that doesn’t go away
• Shooting pain

PMPS is sometimes called iron bra syndrome because it can cause feelings of restriction and tightness.

One member who had breast-conserving surgery said, “I asked my surgeon about it, and she said she’s not surprised at my pain because she really had to work to free the tumor from my pectoral muscle.”

Nerve Pain

Numbness, tingling, or shooting pain can also be signs of neuropathy (nerve damage). Studies suggest that 14 percent to 56 percent of people have nerve pain after breast-conserving surgery. After a mastectomy, nerve pain affects 24 percent to 36 percent of people.

Nerve pain may begin soon after surgery and go away on its own within weeks or months. However, for some people, it lasts longer and requires treatment.

Blood Clots

A painful, swollen, discolored leg that’s warm to the touch may be a symptom of deep vein thrombosis — a blood clot in a deep vein, usually in the leg. Blood clots can be a life-threatening complication of surgery.

If you have symptoms like shortness of breath or chest pain, the clot may have traveled to your lungs. This medical emergency is called a pulmonary embolism and requires immediate medical attention.

Infection at the Surgical Site

Surgery always carries a risk of infection. Recognizing the signs early can help you get treatment before the infection spreads or worsens. Along with pain, watch out for:

• Edema (swelling)
• Discolored skin
• Warmth near the surgical site
• Fever
• Fluid drainage from the wound, possibly with an odor

Seek medical attention right away if you think an infection could be causing your pain.

Cancer Recurrence or Spread

People who have bone pain after cancer treatment may worry about recurrence (the cancer has returned) or metastasis (cancer cells have spread to another part of the body).

“They conducted a bone scan to ensure the rib pain wasn’t cancer,” one member shared. “Thankfully, it was clean.”

For some people, radiation therapy after surgery can help lower the risk of the cancer coming back.

Your risk of recurrence depends on many factors, including:

• Breast cancer type
• Molecular subtype
• Cancer stage
• Genetics
• Treatment

If you’re concerned that your cancer has come back, speak with your oncologist. They may order imaging or other tests to check for signs of cancer.

Common Causes of Rib Pain Unrelated to Breast Cancer

Rib pain isn’t always related to breast cancer or its treatment. Other common causes include:

• A pulled muscle from a sports injury or frequent coughing
• Neuritis (an inflamed nerve in the ribs)
• Costochondritis (inflamed cartilage between the ribs and breastbone)
• A broken rib caused by an injury, such as a fall or car accident
• Acid reflux (heartburn)
• Muscle spasms

If your pain doesn’t improve, keeps coming back, is severe, or negatively affects your quality of life, contact your doctor.

Treatment for Rib Cage Pain

For some, lifestyle changes aren’t enough to relieve rib cage pain. If that’s the case, talk with your surgeon about treatment options. Pain medications may include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen, and medicines that help treat nerve pain, such as amitriptyline and gabapentin.

For people with severe, chronic nerve pain that doesn’t improve with other treatments, nerve surgery or implanted devices may be options. However, less intensive treatments, including physical therapy and medication, are usually tried first. Talk with your oncologist, breast surgeon, or primary care doctor about which treatment options may be right for you.

Join the Conversation

On MyBCTeam, people share their experiences with breast cancer, get advice, and find support from others who understand.

Have you experienced rib pain after breast cancer surgery? Let others know in the comments below.