After a routine mammagram a lump was found which turned out to be a cyst. this was 2yr ago. In Aug 2008 I had an abcess under my arm which burst inside into my blood stream. I was admitted to hospital for emergency surgery. This was not the side where I had the cyst . Since March/April this year , my right arm has been painful , i cannot lift it high or around my back.The muscle aches and the arm feels weak. sometimes my shoulder aches , but mainly the arm.My right breast has also become much larger than my other one. Its not painful , but feels really heavy and uncomfortable. I have noticed itching around the nipple on occasions. This is the breast that had the cyst. I did have a mammagram after surgery last year to see if there were any links to the abcess, and I never got the results, just a verbal telephone conversation where they said it was ok. I have seen my GP , who examined the breast but couldnt find anything, and just told me to take anti immflammatory pills. I am still concerned though as when i had the cyst before , it couldnt be detected through examination. I also know my own body. I am 56, and have been through the menopause without problems.
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Q: My right breast has become much larger than the left. Also my right arm is aching and feels weak .
Catrina, I don't know if your current problem is related to the cyst or the abscess. It does sound like it needs more follow-up than a suggestion to take an anti-inflammatory medication. If a few days of the medication doesn't make a difference, go back to the doctor and ask for more testing starting with a new mammogram. Breast swelling is one symptom of a relatively rare form of breast cancer called inflammatory breast cancer (IBC). Although IBC usually presents with swelling, pain, redness, and skin dimpling, the symptoms do vary from person to person. It's important that you find out what is causing the breast swelling and arm pain. Cancer is not the most likely diagnosis, but it's important that it be ruled out.
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