About Breast Cancer & Leg Pain
Breast cancer refers to cancers that originate in the tissue (sarcomas) or glands/ducts (adenocarcinomas) of the breast. Although breast cancer is most commonly diagnosed in females, it can affect males as well. Breast cancer is usually characterized by a lump in the breast, although inflammatory breast cancer can appear as a breast infection with reddened skin and no lump, and some early stage breast cancers are asymptomatic. Leg pain is generally not a symptom of breast cancer, unless the cancer has metastasized (spread) to the bone. However, leg pain is a common result of breast cancer treatment.
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Symptoms
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The symptoms of breast cancer are different for each person, and many patients have no symptoms at all. When symptoms do exist, a woman typically finds a lump in her breast, although the skin may also appear swollen or otherwise changed. Again, leg pain is not a symptom or common result of Stage I, II, or III breast cancer. Leg pain experienced prior to treatment may be a sign of bone metastasizes, or may be unrelated to the breast cancer.
Leg Pain
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Medications used to fight primary breast cancer often cause leg pain. However, leg pain can also be a sign that the cancer has metastasized to the bones of the legs. Metastasizes occurs only in Stave IV breast cancer, and once metastasizes has occurred, the cancer is no longer curable although the metastasizes and the resulting pain are treatable. It is important to discuss any leg pain with your doctor, because although it is a common and normal result of breast cancer treatment, metastasizes should still be ruled out.
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Non-metastatic Bone Pain
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Chemotherapy used in the treatment of breast cancer can impact nerves, ligaments, joints or muscles. This impact can cause pain in the arms, as well as in the hips and the legs. Typically, the pain begins during a chemotherapy session and gets progressively worse with each treatment. This leg or hip pain may last for one year or longer after treatment ceases. NSAIDS (pain relief medications such as Tylenol and other over-the-counter non-steroid medications) may ease the pain, or your doctor may prescribe a stronger anti-pain medication, including various opiates or tricyclic antidepressant. This pain will eventually go away on its own, but it takes time.
Tamoxifen, one drug used to fight primary breast cancer, is specifically identified as causing pain in the hips and legs. Pain caused by tamoxifen can resemble the stiffness and aches caused by arthritis.
Treatment
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In addition to painkillers, certain other treatments are recommended to help with leg pain caused by breast cancer treatment. Physical therapy is often recommended; swimming and yoga especially may help build strength and reduce pain.
Metastatic Bone Pain
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Pain in the bones of the leg may indicate that the cancer has metastasized to the bone. The bone is a common site for breast cancer metastases. Certain treatments, including laser beam radiation therapy and tamoxifen, are used to treat bone metastases. Although metastatic breast cancer is not curable, new drugs including bisphosphonates such as Zometa and Aredia, have greatly improved survival time for patients diagnosed with metastases in the bone. These bisphosphonates help to slow the growth of the cancer, reduce bone destruction, and keep blood calcium levels normal.
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