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Breast Cancer/severe pain in arm/shoulder 8 years after surgery
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Question
I am a 53year old who had breast cancer almost 9 years ago(medulary)with treatment of lumpectomy,chemo and radiotherapy.Lymph glands were also removed.I appeared to recover well but in the last few months have got really bad pain in my arm/shoulder area and movement is now becoming very limited also.At my yearly checkup when I mentioned this to the doctor she very nonchalantly said -oh it's just nerve pain-nothing to worry about.However it is beconming worse and limiting what I can do-difficult even getting dressed in the morning.Should I be worried-is this connected to my breast cancer?What can I do about it?By the way I live in the UK and was treated on the NHS.
Yes this IS a matter of concern! It is either a LATE unfortunate side effect of your surgery (maybe in combination with the radiation therapy) or a symptom of your cancer making a relapse, a third possibility is some orthopedic condition in your shoulder area. The British NHS system never fails to bewilder me! I suppose you have to go to your GP first? If so do that and ask to be refered to some experts that really can take care of you. Even if it is "just" a late side effect of your surgery I can unfortunately not promise any recovery. Please do keep me posted!
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| Rating(1-10) | Knowledgeability = 10 | Clarity of Response = 10 | Politeness = 10 |
| Comment | Thanks for your prompt reply-I will go back to my GP as you suggest and take it from there. | ||
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Answers by Expert:
Claes-Gustaf Nordquist, M.D.
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I`m a doctor of medicine and a specialist in radiation therapy and medical oncology. I have long experience in diagnostics and treatment of breast tumours.
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I'm a Doctor of Medicine and specialist in Medical Oncology and Radiation Therapy educated & trained in Sweden. Now retired. Background in Radiation Therapy, Medical Oncology, Radiation Protection, Nuclear Medicine, Diagnostic Radiology, Gynecological Oncology, Clinical Pathology, Clinical Cytology,Hematology and Internal Medicine. M.D. from the faculty of medicine, Royal Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden. Have also been an exchange student at the Hebrew University, Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem Israel. Former medical consultant, Swedish National Board of Radiation Protection. Former Police Surgeon and Medical Examiner, Stockholm Police Department. Former Chief Medical Officer, The Royal Guards, The Royal Horse Guards and the Royal Household Brigade, Royal Swedish Army Medical Corps.You can also reach me on: http://www.lifestylerescue.com/expert/health-fitness-advice/dr-claes-gustaf/128 I have no restrictions on the number of questions there.
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