Nipple issues after radiotherapy

Hi , and if you’re new here then a very warm welcome, don’t remember seeing your name before. I don’t know how common nipple issues are after rads but I have had them too. My nipple was sore after the blue injection for sentinel node sampling, then all during rads got progressively sorer/ more sensitive, as well as going very dark. About 10 weeks after rads finished, while moisturising it all one morning, a huge ‘scab’ fell off (sorry if TMI!!!), almost like it was the end of the nipple coming off. Since then it’s remained swollen and partially inverted. It’s been seen by BC nurse and breast surgeon, apparently rads can make bits of tissue contract, hence the pulled in effect. I have also had the snake effect (assume you mean scales shedding?) on both the nipple and an area of skin around it. For a while these created a sort of mottled effect, not unlike the patterns on a giraffe! Only a couple of small scales left now, nearly a year after rads. Nipple still very different from the other but not sore, just more sensitive and still swollen. 

But do keep asking, particularly at the breast clinic. GP won’t necessarily know or have seen anything like it before. And of course you’ll worry that it could be a recurrence so you need it checked. I recently had a skin infection on bad boob and was convinced it was inflammatory breast cancer, nearly sick with worry, but a course of antibiotics cleared it up. Think ongoing worries about recurrence are part of this package sadly.

Hope you get the reassurance you need at the clinic on Wednesday. Do keep posting and let us know. Gentle hugs, HFxx

Hi Audobods

Radiotherapy, the gift that keeps on giving. I've had BC twice 13years apart. Lumpectomy then Rads. 

Nipple 1 was very sore and looked like an unripe BlackBerry. I thought it would drop off, but it didn't. Eventually it healed. However it is very reluctant to get excited, even with encouragement. It is also about half the size in depth than it was.

Nipple two got very sore, eventually crusting over. The shell fell off and its healed. But again it just sits there unresponsive. I've just found out I've got lymphedema in the breast. So the whole boob is hard and lumpy. I call it the boulder. The nipple therefore looks sort of set in. It feels rather numb and lacking in colour. It is still surrounded by a patch of pale turquoise skin, this apparently can stay for a while. To quote The consultant when asked when it would go " How long is a piece of string"

There are times when I feel low about it, then sort of give myself a shake. After all I've still got two boobs and two nipples even if a bit battered. 

The timing of your Rads and mine are the same so I would have expected the nipple to be healed, however under my breast still breaks down if I wear the wrong bra and it rubs sore. I use Canestan that has anti fungal, anti bacterial and a small amount of steroid if this happens.

Definitely ask about it and show them see what they recommend. Fresh air is a great healer so air dry when possible. Watch for redness and heat.

Good luck.

Greetings Audobods71 ( forum or my laptop is having an antitagging day sorry).

I had next to no probs after radiotherapy apart from - you guessed it, a flaky sensitive nipple. It's still a bit red (finished early December) and breast is a different hue.  Also after 2 lumpectomies nipple points in a different direction so guess it is time to embrace asymmetry!

Understand the panic about inflammatory breast disease as I was the same just as I started rads but it was a n infection that had been hanging about since surgery apparently and all good now

Hi Bagrat

I got infection 2 days into Rads and it came back again last week. This time because lymphedema. But I think it's been hanging round a while. I certainly have the odd day when I feel rough. Mainly put it down to Rads in September and getting old. Hangover at Christmas!!!!

13 years ago one nipple pointed forward the other off to the right. Then one pointed to the floor and the other off to the right. Definitely asymmetrical. But then one boon is coming up as an e cup thanks to lymphedema. The other struggling to get to be a c. So that's the look.

But both still hanging in there.Well drooping in there now.lol

Thanks Bagrat - glad I am not alone. Met with GP this morning who assures me it is radiation infection but has referred me to onocology for a quick confirmation, as my next appointment was not until June!  It is just all very worrying when your treatment finishes and that is you until then.  GP is a star though!  Glad your boobs are still hanging in there - age and bc is a wonderful thing lol 

Thank you so much.  This as put my mind at ease.  Saw the GP this morning who thinks it is an infection but they have also referred me to the breast clinic.