Side effects after breast cancer surgery vary depending on whether you have a lumpectomy, mastectomy, lymph-node surgery or breast reconstruction. Common early effects include:
- Pain or tenderness
- Bruising and swelling
- Numbness or altered sensation
- Shoulder or arm stiffness
- Fatigue
Most improve gradually as the body heals. However, some patients develop problems such as a seroma, wound infection, cording, persistent nerve pain or lymphoedema that may need additional treatment.
For an overview of the different operations used to treat breast cancer, see our main guide to Breast Cancer Surgery.
Common Side Effects After Breast Cancer Surgery
| Side Effect | What You May Notice |
|---|---|
| Pain and tenderness | Soreness around the breast, chest or armpit |
| Swelling and bruising | Puffiness, heaviness or skin colour changes near the operation site |
| Seroma | A soft collection of fluid under the breast, chest wall or armpit |
| Numbness or tingling | Reduced sensation, pins and needles, burning or shooting feelings |
| Shoulder stiffness | Difficulty raising or moving the arm comfortably |
| Cording | A tight cord-like structure extending from the armpit toward the arm |
| Lymphoedema | Persistent swelling or heaviness of the arm, hand, breast or chest |
1. Pain and Discomfort
Some pain is expected after breast surgery. It may feel like:
- Aching
- Tightness
- Tenderness
- Burning
- Shooting or stabbing sensations
Early surgical pain usually improves as healing progresses and can generally be controlled with prescribed pain medicine. However, some people develop longer-lasting nerve-related pain in the breast, chest, armpit or arm. After mastectomy, this is sometimes called post-mastectomy pain syndrome.
*AI-generated image - for illustration only. Clinical accuracy is not guaranteed.
2. Swelling and Bruising
Temporary swelling and bruising around the breast or chest are common after surgery. Swelling may also involve the:
- Armpit
- Shoulder
- Upper arm
3. Seroma
A seroma is a collection of clear fluid that develops in the space left after breast tissue or lymph nodes are removed. It commonly appears:
- Under the arm
- Within the breast
- Across the chest wall
4. Haematoma
A haematoma happens when blood collects around the surgical area. It may cause:
- Swelling
- Bruising
- Firmness
- Discomfort
Small haematomas may gradually be absorbed by the body. A large or rapidly expanding haematoma may require drainage or, occasionally, another procedure.
5. Numbness, Tingling or Burning Sensations
Nerves can be stretched, cut or irritated during breast and lymph-node surgery. As a result, some people experience:
- Numbness
- Pins and needles
- Burning
- Shooting sensations
- Increased sensitivity
These sensations may affect the breast, chest, upper arm or armpit. They often improve over weeks or months as nerves recover, although some areas of permanent numbness can remain after mastectomy or more extensive lymph-node surgery.
6. Shoulder and Arm Stiffness
Reduced shoulder movement is common after breast surgery, particularly when lymph nodes have been removed. Patients may initially avoid moving the arm because of pain or fear of damaging the wound, but prolonged immobility can make stiffness worse. Gentle postoperative exercises are commonly recommended to restore:
*AI-generated image - for illustration only. Clinical accuracy is not guaranteed.
- Shoulder movement
- Arm flexibility
- Strength
7. Cording After Breast Surgery
Some people develop axillary web syndrome, commonly called cording. A tight cord-like structure may be felt beneath the skin, usually beginning in the armpit and sometimes extending down toward the elbow or wrist. It can cause:
- Pain
- Tightness
- Difficulty raising the arm
8. Lymphoedema
Lymphoedema is persistent swelling caused by reduced drainage of lymph fluid. It can develop after surgery or radiotherapy involving lymph nodes under the arm. Swelling may affect the:
- Arm
- Hand or fingers
- Breast
- Chest wall
- Shoulder area
The risk is lower after a sentinel lymph-node biopsy and higher after a more extensive axillary lymph-node dissection. Unlike ordinary postoperative swelling, lymphoedema may appear months or even years after treatment.
Early Signs of Lymphoedema
Contact your healthcare team if you notice:
*AI-generated image - for illustration only. Clinical accuracy is not guaranteed.
- Persistent swelling
- Heaviness or tightness in the arm
- Rings or sleeves becoming unusually tight
- Aching or discomfort
- Reduced arm movement
Early treatment can help control swelling and prevent it from becoming more difficult to manage.
9. Wound Infection
Any surgical wound can become infected. Possible signs include:
- Increasing redness
- Warmth around the wound
- Increasing tenderness or swelling
- Pus or unusual discharge
- Fever
- Feeling generally unwell
Does Breast Reconstruction Have Additional Side Effects?
Reconstruction can involve additional risks depending on whether implants or the patient's own tissue are used. Possible problems include:
- Delayed wound healing
- Infection
- Fluid collection
- Changes in breast sensation
- Problems involving an implant
- Problems with blood flow to reconstructed tissue
Which Side Effects Are Usually Temporary?
Many early effects improve naturally during recovery. These commonly include:
- Bruising
- Mild swelling
- Early surgical pain
- Fatigue
- Temporary shoulder stiffness
Numbness and altered sensation can take much longer to improve. Lymphoedema and some forms of persistent nerve pain can become long-term conditions and may require ongoing management.
The Bottom Line
Most side effects after breast cancer surgery are manageable and improve as healing progresses. Pain, bruising, temporary swelling, numbness and shoulder stiffness are common during early recovery.
Some patients develop seroma, cording or a haematoma, while wound infection requires prompt medical attention. Lymph-node surgery can increase the risk of shoulder problems and lymphoedema, which may develop months or even years later.
The important distinction is whether symptoms are gradually improving or becoming worse. Increasing pain, redness, fever, unusual wound discharge or persistent arm swelling should always be reported to the treatment team.
