Possible long term problems

This page tells you about possible long term complications after an operation. There is information about

Possible problems
Pain
Lymphoedema

Long term problems do not happen to everyone and will not necessarily happen to you. Before your operation your surgeon will explain any possible problems, both short and longer term. They will also explain the benefits of having the surgery. This will help you and your surgeon work out whether the benefits outweigh the possible risks.

The possible problems depend on the type of operation. You can find more information about possible problems of surgery for your particular cancer in the section about your cancer type.

Pain usually goes a few weeks after surgery, but some people need to carry on taking painkillers for longer. Some people have long term pain for some months after operations. This most often happens with chest surgery (thoracotomy) or removal of a breast (mastectomy). Continuing pain after surgery is called post operative pain syndrome.

Some people have pain when they have had a limb removed. Although the limb has gone the person still feels pain in the area where the limb was. This is called phantom pain.

If you have pain for longer than expected after an operation or if the pain is severe, you can ask your doctor or nurse to refer you to a pain specialist. If pain is not well controlled soon after the operation it may become more difficult to control it in the future. There is detailed information about cancer and pain control in the section about coping physically with cancer.

Lymphoedema is swelling caused by a build up of fluid in part of the body. It usually occurs in an arm or leg, but can happen in other areas, such as the chest or head and neck. It affects areas where lymph nodes have been damaged or removed. Most people will not get lymphoedema. But if you notice swelling in your hands or feet after surgery to the armpit or groin, you should tell your doctor.

Once lymphoedema has happened, it cannot be got rid of completely. But if caught early it can be treated and controlled very well. We have a section about lymphoedema and its treatment.

You can find more information about the problems associated with particular operations in the surgery section of your cancer type.