Post-mastectomy chronic pain

Breast surgery can entail two types of sequelar pains: post-mastectomy pain syndrome (PMPS or post-axillary dissection pain syndrome) and phantom breast pain. Slowly evolving and difficult to resolve, these neuropathic pain syndromes require particular attention in women who have to deal with a carcinological context. Between 16,000 and 25,000 patients are affected, each year, by these sequelar pains syndromes in France. Treatment should start as early as possible and, most of the time, requires multidisciplinary collaboration combining medicinal, physical, social and psychological therapies. Prevention remains difficult and early screening should obviate medical nomadism and ensure an earlier start to treatment.