Shoulder and Back Pain After Lumpectomy and Radiation: Is It Related?

I do not believe that the radiation caused the shoulder pain.

Thank you

Being in the position for radiation is not easy. I would see a physical therapist right away. It won't hurt and might help. Try to find an oncology physical therapist

Thank you

Hello I had a lumpectomy 2 doses of Chemo and became very ill.I had 2 biopsies.Had a Mastectomy on my left breast last Monday. I had Radiation after the Chemotherapy. I found out that I am not a candidate for Reconstructive Surgery because my tissue was damaged from to much radiation. I wish you all the best I am Paulette Schiffman from Florida

I would ask about oncology rehab did that throughout my 30 radiation treatments! Try to as much as you can to move and exercise. It’s probably how they position you, it hurts you have to stay still but try to use a foam roller on your back that really helps!

Thank you and I wish you all the best as well, Paulette!

Amber, yes, I’ve found that positioning- and staying still- is quite uncomfortable. Exercising and applying alternating cold and warm compress to my arms and shoulders afterwards seems to help a bit. Thank you.

I just finished 33 rounds of radiation, and I had pain in both shoulders and an excruciating pain from my inner thigh down. It is the radiation that is causing this pain. And just because some people don't feel the same symptoms, it doesn't mean that it's not happening to them. I also got open sores while going through chemo.

You are indeed correct, Joseph. Not everyone experiences the same. I wish for your healing.

I had extreme pain in my left shoulder after 30 days of radiation to my left breast. Went to physical therapy for two months and it helped a lot.

I had a lumpectomy. The surgeon got everything Why do I need chemo and radiation?

@yvonne: “Putting it very simply, statistically, we find that when we give patients radiation therapy after lumpectomy, the incidence of local recurrence is lower than when given a lumpectomy alone. the idea essentially being that even though the margins were clear on surgery and the surgeon is confident they removed the tumor, somewhere, there is microscopic disease and that is what radiation is attempting to treat.”- A Forster, rad therapist

@yvonne: “The chemotherapy circulates throughout your body. It kills off any cancer cells that have broken away from the main tumour before your operation.”

@linda: Thank you, Linda! The pain is more bearable after some exercises. Continued healing to you!

I had a Mastectomy at University of Miami Hospital. My surgeon is not a pain management doctor however she did a Nerve block during surgery. Also I was admitted to the hospital and stayed for three days.During my stay I was given pain medication and muscle relaxers.

I haven’t started on any treatment yet, waiting for an oncotype. But, my son just had covid last week and had severe back and leg pain with it. We’ve all had covid a few times and haven’t seen this symptom before. With it, as soon as his fever broke the pain was relieved. I found that I have a ton of trust in in my cancer team. I hope you have that too!

Emotional and mental challenges

Your scenario sounds similar to mine. I'm two weeks out from my last radiation treatment and my shoulder aches. I did have physical therapy after surgery and before radiation started. It helped and the exercises are easy and helpful. You should ask your radiation oncologist for a referral! Don't hesitate, PT told me if you wait too long it's sometimes irreversible. Make sure your staying hydrated and getting enough protein and sleep!

Make sure that they do not give you too much Radiation

Radiation if too much can destroy your tissue

It's completely understandable to wonder about new symptoms during radiation treatment, especially when dealing with multiple health challenges at once. Both radiation therapy and recent illness can affect how the body feels, and positioning during treatment sessions can sometimes contribute to muscle tension or discomfort in the shoulder and back area. Your radiation oncologist is the best person to help determine what might be causing these symptoms and whether any adjustments to your treatment positioning or additional supportive care might help with comfort during this phase of your treatment.