With both mastectomy and lumpectomy, there is some soreness in the chest, underarm and shoulder. If lymph nodes in the underarm area (axillary lymph nodes) are removed during surgery, there may be some numbness and a burning feeling under and behind the arm.

After mastectomy, there will be numbness across your chest (from the collarbone to the top of the rib cage). Unfortunately, this numbness usually doesn’t go away.

After lumpectomy, there’s likely to be numbness along the surgical scar.

Lymphedema, a swelling in the arm and hand, may develop on the side affected by surgery if axillary lymph nodes were removed or treated with radiation. When axillary lymph nodes are removed or affected by treatment, some of the vessels that carry lymph fluid can become blocked. This may prevent lymph fluid from leaving the area. Lymphedema can occur shortly after surgery or years later. Signs of lymphedema, such as swelling or a feeling of tightness in the arm or hand, should be reported to a health care provider. Special care should be taken to protect the arm from injury and infection to try to prevent lymphedema.

For more information on lymphedema, view Physical Changes in the section on Survivorship and Recurrence in this tool.