Has anyone had or heard of anyone getting a new cancer in a reconstructed breast?
On my "good" side I had a prophylactic, skinsparing mastectomy with LD flap reconstruction. There was no sign of disease in the tissue removed. Now I have a small spot (2mm) in that breast that while it looks benign in images, the surgeon wants to biopsy but its not visible under ultrasound. I now have to wait 6 months.
Has anyone else been in a similar position?
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Marilyn543 Joined: Apr 2008 Posts: 1 |
Apr 23, 2008 03:07 pm
Marilyn543 wrote:
This Post has been removed by the Community.
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Nichola Joined: Nov 2007 Posts: 141 |
Apr 23, 2008 04:32 pm
Nichola wrote:
Hi Tinajak I had a recurrence (satellite nodules) in the skin of my reconstructed breast. (I had a skin sparing mascectomy with LD recon). I was grade 1, stage 1 and my onco surgeon said it was very rare. Did you have a skin sparing masc? I have never heard of a new primary in a reconstruction and I cannot understand for the life of me why they have to wait 6 months? Can you not get a second opinion? Sending you my prayers and hugs... Dx 11/28/2007, 1cm, Stage IIIb, Grade 1, 0/10 nodes, ER+/PR+, HER2- |
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Beesie Joined: Jan 2006 Posts: 3107 |
Apr 23, 2008 05:21 pm
Beesie wrote:
I do recall that there was someone on this board about a year who had a recurrence in their reconstruction breast - she'd had a TRAM, I believe, and the recurrence was found with an MRI. That's the only situation that I can recall. BTW, please DO NOT CLICK ON THE LINK IN THE POST FROM MARILYN543. THIS IS SPAM. Please instead click on "Report this Comment" and hopefully soon that post will be deleted. Dx 9/15/2005, DCIS 6cm+ Grade 3 w/ IDC microinvasion, Stage I, 0/3 nodes, ER+/PR-
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tiinajk Joined: May 2003 Posts: 312 |
Apr 23, 2008 05:47 pm
tiinajk wrote:
Thanks for the replys. Nichola, yes I has skin-sparing mast with immediate LD flap reconstruction but not nipple-sparing. I realise that this means there is still a minimal amount of breast tissue left under the skin but can I be so unlucky as to get it again. Next month will be 5 years from my diagnosis with no sign of disease till now. The small lump was found by a breast MRI but you need to be able to see it with ultrasound to be able to take a biopsy. They tried to find it and even though they knew where to look, the lump was too small to see under ultrasound. At this stage, they don't think it's anything, (something about not reacting to the contrast during MRI) so the six months is to see if there is any change. Only problem is that it will cost me another $400 to get a new MRI then as it is not covered. Oh well... as a school teacher I have sooooo much expendable income. <smile> T |
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Nichola Joined: Nov 2007 Posts: 141 |
Apr 25, 2008 07:02 am
Nichola wrote:
I researched this subject big time...: Iwould like to mention that recurrences in reconstructions usually appear in the original cancer site/ biopsy sit and /or scars. (Mine were in all these places) The fact they have noticed any abnormality so early has to be applauded and I'm sure won't require anything drastic! Can I just vent...It makes me so mad that you lovely ladies even have to THINK about ANY costs. Its SO wrong!!! Dx 11/28/2007, 1cm, Stage IIIb, Grade 1, 0/10 nodes, ER+/PR+, HER2- |
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lastminuteD… Joined: Jul 2006 Posts: 333 |
Apr 25, 2008 12:03 pm
lastminuteD wrote:
tinajk - I had a local recurrence in my reconstructed breast (silicone implant) 15 months from original diagnosis. I was finishing up tattoo color touch up - felt a place that just didn't feel like the other scar tissue area - saw my surgeon two days later and he did a biopsy in his office - he felt it was scar tissue but for my peace of mind did the biopsy - unfortunately it was IDC again - had a re-excision to remove it. backup a bit - had a mast for multi-focal DCIS, discovered .2cm IDC, had axillary node dissection 0/5 nodes, put on tamoxifen - no chemo or rads recommended because IDC so small and negative nodes. Recurrence was 3.5cm - received a/c & t/h (till 8/1!! - almost done!) and radiation. My suggestion would be to call your surgeon and discuss if a breast mri or other test might show it better and a biopsy again instead of waiting which sounds too stressful to me. if he declines - a second opinion just to ease your mind that you are doing everything you can. Dawn Dx 12/1/2005, IDC stage I, Grade 3, 0/5 nodes, ER+/PR+/HER2+
Dx 3/28/2007, IDC, 3cm, Grade 3, ER-/PR-, HER2+ |
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tiinajk Joined: May 2003 Posts: 312 |
Apr 27, 2008 06:36 am
tiinajk wrote:
Already had a breast MRI, that's what found this lump. The problem is that you can't biopsy under MRI and it's too small to find under ultrasound to get a biopsy that way. This new lump is in the "good" breast that has never had any sign of disease but was taken off preventatively so if it is cancer, it would be a new primary. I'm already at my second opinion in a way as I was originally going through public health getting nowhere so have now been seeing a private specialist and she is known as the best available. So pretty much out of options for the time being.... I just hate haveing to wait... T |
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MAMHOP Joined: Aug 2007 Posts: 596 |
Apr 30, 2008 02:08 pm
MAMHOP wrote:
Why can't they biopsy via MRI? I just had an MRI guided biopsy about 6 months ago -- was no different than the stereotactic one I had -- they just used MRI to locate abnormality rather than mammogram -- M. |
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azsunshop Joined: Apr 2008 Posts: 7 |
May 1, 2008 12:56 pm
azsunshop wrote:
My bc came back in 2006 at the original site. I decided to take them both off and had recon. surgery at the same time. It took a year to have the full recon. surger with the saline implants. THis Feb. I noticed small rash like bumps under both breasts. Guess what it turned out to be! ? Unbelivable! A third time! Just finished radiation and am on Arimidex. I did not think it could come back if there were no breasts, but it is bc! azsunshop |
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Sociologist… Joined: Aug 2007 Posts: 148 |
May 22, 2008 05:01 pm
Sociologist wrote:
Hi Ladies, I'm going through the same thing. I had a skin sparring mast in July 2007 and the implant put in Dec 18th 0f '07. Just went for my 1 yr. check up and the dr. found a lump on the mast side (I was going for the exam and to ask him to remove the implant...I hate it because it hurts all the time!). Went for the ultrasound today and now need a biopsy. This is crazy!!! But...I've lived through this once I can do it again. Hoping for the best but planning for the alternative. Margaret Dx 6/14/2007, DCIS, Stage 0, Grade 2, ER+/PR+, mastectomy 07/12/07;silicone implant 12/18/07
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AnnNYC Joined: Aug 2007 Posts: 1480 |
May 22, 2008 08:23 pm
AnnNYC wrote:
Margaret!!! I was just wondering where you've been!!! Just three days ago I was looking you up to see when your last post was! I'm sorry you're going through this worry -- my fingers are crossed for biopsy to prove benign, Best, Ann Dx 3/9/2007, IDC, <1cm, Stage I, Grade 2, 0/5 nodes, ER+/PR+, HER2- |
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AnnNYC Joined: Aug 2007 Posts: 1480 |
May 22, 2008 08:23 pm, edited May 22, 2008 08:24 PM
by AnnNYC
AnnNYC wrote:
Oops == double post, sorry... ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
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ali_lpn Joined: May 2008 Posts: 6 |
May 30, 2008 07:58 am
ali_lpn wrote:
My recurrence is in the reconstructed side...it isn't a new primary though. I had skin sparring TRAM flap with silicone implant. I noticed a few small lumps and within a month the implant was rock hard and had NUMEROUS lumps and an ulcer. I honestly thought my implant had burst (deep down maybe I knew). When I finally got in to see my plastic surgeon and she saw my breast, the look on her face was priceless. At that moment, I knew I was in trouble. I was back in chemo in less than a month. I have mets in both femurs, spine up to T10, sacrum, groin, left axilla (lymph involvement on the opposite side from the first), and both hips...I think that is it :) I am so sorry you have to wait 6 months tiinajk. I cannot imagine how stressful that is and how long 6 months must feel. It sounds like you have a doc who is the best so hopefully she is doing the right thing for you. Maybe you could go back and see her and she could help ease your mind a little by giving you some more information. You are in my thoughts. Ali |
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Sociologist… Joined: Aug 2007 Posts: 148 |
Jun 10, 2008 06:23 am
Sociologist wrote:
Good Morning Ladies, My lump is benign! I'm extremely relieved. The docs said it was just scar tissue from the mast. Just wanted to let you know. Margaret Dx 6/14/2007, DCIS, Stage 0, Grade 2, ER+/PR+, mastectomy 07/12/07;silicone implant 12/18/07
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TenderIsOur… Joined: May 2007 Posts: 2919 |
Jun 10, 2008 09:41 am
TenderIsOurMight wrote:
It cannot be emphasized too strongly that treatment of each patient is a highly individualized matter. (FDA-approved labeling for warfarin (Coumadin) NDA 9-218/5-105)
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ozzie2 Joined: Jan 2007 Posts: 921 |
Jun 12, 2008 08:38 am
ozzie2 wrote:
I have had a local recurrence in my recon structed breast which was made with breast tissue from my other breast , this has shocked all.. it also has come back in the same place as the original BC but then they found it has spread to many bones now and nodes.. so yes it does come back in the rec breast it can also change hormone status..mine didnt lucky me..! and most times if Bc is to come back it comes back in the scar area.. mine is also there.. good luck and I hope the results are B9 hugs oz DCIS and IDC 96. ER/PR + HER2- bone skin mets06 ,Lung mets May08
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Peggins Joined: Feb 2005 Posts: 53 |
Jun 14, 2008 07:47 am
Peggins wrote:
Sociologist, so glad that your lump is benign! You commented that you wanted to have your implant removed because it hurt all the time. Have you considered that you might have truncal lymphedema? I have a silicone implant and also was in pain until I was referred to a lymphedema therapist who dx and treated me. My arm had never swollen so I thought I was fine, I never knew you could get it only in the trunk, and neither did my 4 doctors whom I complained to for a year! Find a certified lymphedema therapist in your area and go for an opinion. If it is LE and you remove the implant you will still have LE and still be swollen and in pain. The LE section of these boards has many knowledgeable sisters on it. Peggy |
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