Mastectomy and lymph node removal can cause nerve pain in the arm or armpit, and mastectomy can cause nerve pain in the chest. This may be pins and needles, tingling or stabbing pain. It usually settles in a few weeks. Talk to your doctor if it’s ongoing.
Some chemotherapy drugs can damage nerves in the hands and feet. This is called peripheral neuropathy. It can cause weakness, numbness, pins and needles, and burning or shooting pain. Symptoms usually improve over a few months, but they can be permanent.
Tell your healthcare team if you have any symptoms. Your doctor will help you manage pain and a physiotherapist and occupational therapist can give you exercises.
Learn more about peripheral neuropathy and cancer and listen to the podcast below.
Podcast: Managing Cancer Pain
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A/Prof Cindy Mak, Breast Surgeon and Director of Breast Services, Chris O’Brien Lifehouse, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, NSW; A/Prof Nick Murray, Consultant Medical Oncologist, Royal Adelaide Hospital and GenesisCare Adelaide, SA; Caroline Bennett, Consumer; Tamara Casey, Clinical Nurse Consultant, Breast Assessment Unit, Fiona Stanley Hospital, WA; A/Prof Joe Dusseldorp, Reconstructive Plastic Surgeon, Chris O’Brien Lifehouse, NSW; Lauren Lores, Consumer; Dr Linda Madigan, Breast Physician, Royal Adelaide Hospital, SA; Catherine Meredith, Consumer; Ash Mondolo, Breast Cancer Clinical Nurse Consultant, Mater Private Hospital, QLD; Chris Rivett, 13 11 20 Consultant, Cancer Council SA; Catrina Ross, McGrath Breast Care Nurse, Northern Sydney Local Health District, NSW; Prof Christobel Saunders AO, James Stewart Chair of Surgery and Director of Research, Melbourne Medical School, The University of Melbourne, VIC; Dr Janice Yeh, Radiation Oncologist, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, VIC; A/Prof Yvonne Zissiadis, Radiation Oncologist, Medical Director, GenesisCare WA and Adjunct A/Prof, Curtin University, WA.
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