I have burning pain after a mastectomy. What are the causes?

Question

Hello doctor,

I am a 50-year-old who underwent a left breast mastectomy about two months ago and have been experiencing frequent burning and aching pain in the surgical area. The pain is not constant but occurs daily and can be pretty uncomfortable. I have not had any laboratory tests specifically for this pain.

During surgery, five lymph nodes were removed, and all were positive for cancer. The surgeons informed me that they were unable to remove all of the cancer during the procedure. As a result, they are now planning systemic treatment to address cancer throughout my body.

Could you explain what might be causing this pain?

Kindly help.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I understand your concern. I am really sorry you are going through this. After a mastectomy, it is common to experience burning, stabbing, or aching pain in the chest wall, armpit, or along the surgical scar, often due to nerve injury or irritation during surgery, sometimes called post-mastectomy pain syndrome (PMPS).

The removal of lymph nodes can add to discomfort because nerves in that area are more easily affected. While this pain can be normal, especially in the first few months, it should not be ignored, particularly since you are preparing for systemic cancer treatment.

Several options can help manage post-mastectomy pain, including:

Medications for nerve-related pain, such as Gabapentin, Pregabalin, or certain antidepressants.
Gentle physiotherapy and stretching exercises.
Topical treatments, such as Lidocaine patches.

Heat packs or cold compresses may also provide relief.

It is essential to inform your oncology team so they can assess the pain and rule out other causes.

I hope this information helps you.

Thank you.