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What is axillary web syndrome?

Page last modified on: August 20, 2008

Question from Patti: Can you provide information on axillary web syndrome (AWS)? I had an occurrence almost 3 years after surgery -- a lumpectomy with removal of 3 or 4 sentinel nodes and follow-up radiation. There is very little information on the subject, and my doctor said it is not very common. Thank you.: Answer —Linda Miller, P.T.: It's not unusual to have axillary web syndrome, or post-operative cording months or even years post-operative. Often times it's precipitated by a sudden increase in activity, especially if you haven't been doing regular stretching, which a lot of women kind of stop doing as time goes on. The best way to treat it is to restart your general stretching, lifting the arm up over your head while keeping your elbow straight.

On Wednesday, May 21, 2008, our Ask-the-Expert Online Conference was called After Surgery: Short-term and Long-term Effects. Kristin Brill, M.D., F.A.C.S. and Linda Miller, P.T. answered your questions about short-term and long-term side effects of breast surgery, and what you can do about them.

The materials presented in these conferences do not necessarily reflect the views of breastcancer.org. A qualified healthcare professional should be consulted before using any therapeutic product or regimen discussed. All readers should verify all information and data before employing any therapies described here.

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Meet the Experts

Kristin Brill, M.D., F.A.C.S. is a breast surgeon and clinical instructor at the Thomas Jefferson University Department of Surgery in Philadelphia, PA. She also maintains a practice in Cherry Hill, N.J. Dr. Brill is a fellow of the American College of Surgeons. In addition, she has published breast cancer research in medical journals such as Annals of Plastic Surgery and Cancer, and she has presented research at the American Society of Clinical Oncology.

Linda Miller, P.T. is the clinical director of the Breast Cancer Physical Therapy Center, LTD, a private practice serving the Philadelphia, PA and southern New Jersey areas. Linda specializes in treating post-operative complications of breast cancer surgery, including lymphedema.