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Lump found after Bilateral Mastectomy

daisyann
daisyann Member Posts: 10
edited February 2021 in Not Diagnosed But Worried

Five minutes ago I discovered a small lump not far from my original cancer (outer edge of breast).  Does the PS anchor silicone implants in any way?  Could this be a calcification of some kind?  I do some muscle strengthening with weight machines. I am on vacation, away from home, and shaking like a leaf.

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Comments

  • Angelfalls
    Angelfalls Member Posts: 83
    edited February 2012

    I'm sorry I can't help you with your concerns, DaisyAnn. Just bumping in the hope that someone will be along soon who can help. Hang in there, Angelfalls xx

  • beacon800
    beacon800 Member Posts: 47
    edited February 2012

    I don't have personal experience but have heard from many women who find lumps after surgery, sometimes a long time after surgery,  that turn out to be nothing.  All kinds of different stuff, fat necrosis, scar tissue, etc.  Does not mean you found cancer.  Hang in there til you can see your doc.

  • GreenMonkey
    GreenMonkey Member Posts: 291
    edited February 2012

    I know nothing, I am at the very beginning of all this.  scheduled for surgery on 3/1. But I wanted you offer you a hug and say that I understand the panic that sets in and takes over. it sucks that you are on vacation. or maybe its good that you are on vacation....  

  • daisyann
    daisyann Member Posts: 10
    edited February 2012

    Thank you all for your thoughtful replies.  I have been able to schedule an appointment Tuesday with the breast surgeon who did my initial surgery.  It usually takes weeks to get an appointment.

  • Karen3
    Karen3 Member Posts: 37
    edited February 2012

    Hi DaisyAnn

    I had bilat mast in December and I have lumps where the drains were (outer edge). I also have masses of scar tissue on one side where I had radiotherapy less than two years ago. Try not to get too stressed about your situation - I am not sure how long ago you had your op but if it was recently, your tissue needs to settle down. I know from experience how easy it is to think the worst! Still, you have done the right thing in having it checked out. I see my surgeon next month and I am sure everything will be fine.

    Try to relax and have a good vacation! You deserve it after everything you have been through.

  • mammalou
    mammalou Member Posts: 293
    edited February 2012

    I have a small lump too!  Man, we are lumpy.  I'm going to see the BS on Monday because this lump seems to be changing.  I finished rads July 28th, and I also have a spot on my breast that seems to be getting pinker.  That just doesn't seem right to me after all this time.  The worries never stop.

  • crystalphm
    crystalphm Member Posts: 277
    edited February 2012

    I am 20 months from a mastectomy and I have severla lumps where the lymph nodes were removed. I am often upset over this, thinking "now what?" but several doctors feel is is scar tissue, even the breast surgeon felt it and dismissed it.

    The physical therapist who was a would care specialist told me things do indeed change in scars, even over years, adhesions form and break, same with scar tissue.

    I am trying to find peace with it all, so please keep us posted what is going on with you.

  • ca66
    ca66 Member Posts: 3
    edited February 2012

    I also found a pea sized lump a few weeks ago. Well scary to say the least. Not again. I go to BS tomorrow morning. I keep telling myself it's probably nothing but just like you samdave7 what a shame our life is always thinking the worst. I am keeping positive. But we just have to also go on the side of caution. Get it checked. Keep you posted. :)

  • daisyann
    daisyann Member Posts: 10
    edited February 2012

    Hello All,

    I saw the BS today.  He gave me a sonogram.  BS seemed to be less concerned before he realized the nodule is near the site of the original cancer.  "It" is subcutaneous yet there is something on the skin. I was told this is not considered breast tissue; and falls outside the breast area. The BS will excise the nodule with a lumpectomy on Friday.  After having a bilateral mastectomy who would ever think they could have a lumpectomy?  After he knows what "it" is he will discuss plans.  He told me it may take until Wednesday/Thursday to get results.  I suppose because this procedure is being done in a ambulatory surgery center it will take longer to get results.

    Thank you all once again.  My prayers are with all of you.

  • ca66
    ca66 Member Posts: 3
    edited February 2012

    Well DaisyAnn sounds like we are in the same boat. Went for ultrasound yesterday the radiologist recommended a biopsy but breast surgeon is going to want to take it out. I'm with him. Who would of thought. He to doesn't seem to think that it's anything but with my luck it probably is. Having a lot of swelling and pain in my arm with the lymphodema and the shoulder , anyone have any suggestions for this. Good luck to all.

  • daisyann
    daisyann Member Posts: 10
    edited February 2012

    My thoughts and prayers are with you, ca66.  I know it is difficult but keep good thoughts, always.

  • binney4
    binney4 Member Posts: 1,466
    edited February 2012

    ca66, welcome to bc.org!Smile Really sorry for the reason you're here, but glad you found us.

    Do you already have a well-trained lymphedema therapist? If not, any doctor on your team can give you a referral for an evaluation and treatment. Treating it promptly relieves both the swelling and the pain, lowers your chance of getting a serious sytemic infection, and teaches you how to manage it yourself on-going. Here's how to find a well-qualified lymphedema therapist near you:
    http://www.stepup-speakout.org/Finding_a_Qualified_Lymphedema_Therapist.htm

    All best wishes for B9 results for both you and Daisy Ann!
    Gentle hugs,
    Binney

  • daisyann
    daisyann Member Posts: 10
    edited March 2012

    Hello All,  The pathology from Friday's lumpectomy indicates recurrence.  I need to see all the usual docs and get a PET scan.  When I returned home after the surgery I Googled, breast cancer in skin because I was "it" was in the skin.  I only read one item.  This is seen rarely, but indicates metastasis.  God Bless all of you.

  • 1openheart
    1openheart Member Posts: 250
    edited March 2012

    Oh Daisy....so sorry to hear this.  Good luck as you move forward.  Sending hope for a clean PET scan.  Sending hugs and positive energy.

  • dechi
    dechi Member Posts: 110
    edited March 2012

    Hi DaisyAnn,

    I'm so sorry to hear this.   I'm going through the same thing right now.  I had a recurrence almost 9 years after my initial BC on the side I had a mastectomy.  I had a lumpectomy and axillary node dissection and have gone through AC x 4 and now Taxol/Herceptin X12, Hercpetin x 1 year and will go through rads.  I wish I had rads the 1st time around but it wasn't indicated.  You will get through this!  I'll be praying for you if that's okay.   

  • daisyann
    daisyann Member Posts: 10
    edited March 2012

    Dear dechi,

    Your prayers are most welcome.  You will also be on my prayer list.  The nurse practitioner spoke with me earlier in the day and later I spoke with the bs.  He explained that I would need to see both the medical oncologist and the radiation specialist.  It sounds as though, I too should have had rads, although it was not indicated at the time.

    ~Daisy

  • ca66
    ca66 Member Posts: 3
    edited March 2012

    Hi DaisyAnn,

    I am so sorry to hear this. I am praying for you ! I go in for surgery next Friday to see what my new lump is. Positive thoughts for all of us.



    Also thank you Binney for welcoming me and for the information. Mush appreciated .



    Carolyn

  • binney4
    binney4 Member Posts: 1,466
    edited March 2012
    DaisyAnn, we've got your back. Hugs and prayers,
    Binney
  • Zinnia
    Zinnia Member Posts: 1
    edited March 2012

    Hi Daisy,

    Sending you my support and prayers. I was in your shoes this same time last year. I too had a recurrence at the outer border of my mastectomy scar 7 plus years out.  Radiation was not indicated following my mastectomy as my tumor was very low grade...just Tamoxifen. Last spring had three surgeries to get clean margins and chemo followed by radiation. Now on Arimidex.  I call myself the "outlier gal" because if there is a small percentage chance of something (recurrence, complication, etc) I usually seem to nail it! Hope it turns in my favor someday!

     Hope you do well with treatment and I will be thinking of you, dechi and Carolyn.

    Zinnia

  • daisyann
    daisyann Member Posts: 10
    edited March 2012

    ca66, My thoughts and prayers are with you. 

    dechi, You are in my thoughts and prayers each day.

    All, I had a PET/ct scan on Wednesday.  Yesterday, my PCP told me the scan looks pretty clean.  Thank the Lord!  I do need to get a sono of left ovary and the latest surgery site needs to be looked at but that is small stuff.  What a relief!  On to the oncologists. 

    I am very grateful to all of you. 

    Thank you, once again,

    Daisy

  • 1openheart
    1openheart Member Posts: 250
    edited March 2012

    Great news, Daisy!  

  • dechi
    dechi Member Posts: 110
    edited March 2012

    Great news Daisy!  You're in my thoughts and prayers too.  Keep us posted!

  • KorynH
    KorynH Member Posts: 84
    edited May 2012

    I google this topic because I found a lump 6 months ago and after two breast surgeons, an ultrasound, breast MRI and oncologist visit, (andoh yeah, the hectic holidays got thrown in there as well and i was trying not to panic so put it off a few weeks) I am having an excisional biopsy in the O.R. of it the day after tomorrow. My mastectomy was 3 1/2 years ago and I am completely numb on that side except for this little pea sized lump that appeared under the skin which feels tender and on ultrasound appears separate from all other scar tissue along that incision site. Otherwise I probably never would have noticed it. How often is it actually something to worry about? I was her2+.

  • KorynH
    KorynH Member Posts: 84
    edited May 2012

    I google this topic because I found a lump 6 months ago and after two breast surgeons, an ultrasound, breast MRI and oncologist visit, (andoh yeah, the hectic holidays got thrown in there as well and i was trying not to panic so put it off a few weeks) I am having an excisional biopsy in the O.R. of it the day after tomorrow. My mastectomy was 3 1/2 years ago and I am completely numb on that side except for this little pea sized lump that appeared under the skin which feels tender and on ultrasound appears separate from all other scar tissue along that incision site. Otherwise I probably never would have noticed it. How often is it actually something to worry about? I was her2+.

  • KorynH
    KorynH Member Posts: 84
    edited May 2012

    I google this topic because I found a lump 6 months ago and after two breast surgeons, an ultrasound, breast MRI and oncologist visit, (and oh yeah, the hectic holidays got thrown in there as well and i was trying not to panic so put it off a few weeks) I am having an excisional biopsy in the O.R. of it the day after tomorrow. My mastectomy was 3 1/2 years ago and I am completely numb on that side except for this little pea sized lump that appeared under the skin which feels tender and on ultrasound appears separate from all other scar tissue along that incision site. Otherwise I probably never would have noticed it. How often is it actually something to worry about? I was her2+.

  • paula1231
    paula1231 Member Posts: 41
    edited May 2012

    I too found a hard lump near the MX scar.  I had ultrasound yesterday, and it is suspicious.  I will have core biopsy on the 18th and I have a surgical consult ahead.  So scared. 

  • lexie5
    lexie5 Member Posts: 7
    edited May 2012

    I found a pea size lump a few days ago and just saw my oncologist today.  I have an ultra sound scheduled for next week.  Hope it's nothing. 

  • KorynH
    KorynH Member Posts: 84
    edited May 2012

    I had my excisional biopsy yesterday of lump near my Mx scar. He made a 2 inch incision right along the Mx scar line. The surgeon is pretty confident that the muscle had sort of fused to the scar tissue and bulged upward causing the appearance of a lump. He released it. He did biopsy some of the tissue just to be cautious but I fully expect a benign report in the next few days. I have thought for 3 years that if cancer came back it surely wouldn't be that side! I could be wrong but it does happen to some women. I found out that residual tissue was left in my mastectomy site. The doctor told me that it is like trying to hollow out a cantelops rind. You simply cannot get every single speck. Hence, his very conservative approach by doing the surgery. Paula & Lexi I hope and pray yours will be nothing as well!! I will keep you posted once I know something. In th meantime try to stay busy. That is what helped me during the wait.

  • Sparkysbrat
    Sparkysbrat Member Posts: 4
    edited May 2012

    B9 prayers for you !

  • KorynH
    KorynH Member Posts: 84
    edited May 2012

    I got my pathology report this afternoon. I could not believe my eyes! "Specimen did not survive processing. Inconclusive result". WTF??? Pardon my French but that is something I had never even considered happening! Have you? It said it was in formalin for 37 hours. Is that a long time? It also said my surgeon was notified via phone today so maybe he will be calling me. My follow up is in a week. I am feeling lost. I fully expected that word "benign" and now without it I am left to wonder and hope. I am certainly not going through it again. My guess is that they will monitor using ultrasound and MRIs? In a few months?

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