The hand and or arm may swell at any time after the surgery. There are exercises to help control this. It is recommended that arm not be used for injections or taking blood pressure. If you plan long-distance air travel you may need to have a special stocking made to prevent lymphoedema occuring. There is no cure for established lymphoedema.
Radiation treatment is usually very well tolerated but there are some side effects.
The more common side effects are, tiredness, skin reddening and irritation. These usually resolve about two weeks after completing treatment. Breast tenderness and tightness can take longer to improve. The information guide Radiotherapy for early breast cancer discusses the side effects in more detail. Ask the clinic for this guide.