Fat necrosis, Bi-Rad 2

rrobin0200
rrobin0200 Posts: 101
in Not Diagnosed With a Recurrence or Metastases but Concerned

hi all,
DMX 9 years ago for DCIS. (2017)

Been followed since then for ultrasounds every 6 months as precaution.

recently felt a small, firm pea sized lump in non cancerous side. Both ultrasound and mammogram came back as Fat Necrosis. Had the breast surgeon and two radiologists look at the imaging.

My question.. why NINE years later? Will this go away?

Comments

  • moderators
    moderators Posts: 10,640

    @rrobin0200, fat necrosis can show up months or even years after surgery, radiation, or trauma. It usually develops when fatty tissue in the breast is damaged and forms a small, firm lump. As you can read on our main site: "Sometimes smaller areas of fat necrosis shrink or go away on their own." You can read the whole article it HERE.

    It's reassuring that you’ve had both your breast surgeon and radiologists review it. Other members may also share their experiences, which can be helpful and reassuring as you keep an eye on it.

    Best,

    The Mods

  • rrobin0200
    rrobin0200 Posts: 101

    thank you, mods. I appreciate the comment. Hoping others will chime in too about their experiences with fat necrosis .

  • irishgirl711
    irishgirl711 Posts: 89

    I had breast surgery twice, in 2017 and 2018. I had DCIS that was treated in 2017 with a lumpectomy and SAVI device. However, at my mammo the next year, they discovered another DCIS in the same breast, which was treated with a larger lumpectomy (partial mastectomy) and radiation. I developed a hard lump at 12:00 point almost immediately thereafter and had been dealing with it ever since. A biopsy in 2020 indicated it was fat necrosis and calcification and sometimes it seemed to be swollen more than others.
    this past Summer, the radiology oncologist was concerned that the stiffness could result in loss of range of motion and I was referred to a medical equipment specialist who provided a lymphedema pump and compression garments, since the swelling appeared related to lymphedema near where lymph nodes were removed and the lump was.
    After using the garments and pump for a few weeks, the breast tissue became softer.
    then, I began to leak fluid from my nipple and the lump disappeared. It looked like I was lactating. I saw the Breast surgeon who confirmed that the fat necrosis had resolved (thank goodness I no longer had the golf ball sized lump!)

    Unfortunately, it will not heal on its own, per the breast surgeon (and does still get damp). So, I am scheduled for surgery this week. I am not happy that they have to cut me again after eight years, but I am glad it will finally be resolved. They are going to go in and clean out the cavity and close up the duct and biopsy the nipple, just to be sure I don’t have nipple cancer.
    I have been offered surgery to remove the lump in the past, but decided against it. I was afraid of more scar tissue.
    As I understand it, fat necrosis does happen sometimes, but it is not cancer. Perhaps you can speak with your breast cancer surgeon and discuss options.

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