cysts after bilateral mastectomy???

vegas

I had a bilateral mastectomy in December 2006 followed by chemo. Last Tuesday I found a lump on the side that was done prophylactically. Oncologist has called for biopsy, ultrasound and MRI as soon as possible. Is it possible that this could be a cyst? Or is it cancer again? I am so scared!!!

Alyson

Hi Dian, have you see my posts on our February list. I am having a CAT scan in about an hour. Found lump about 10 days ago. Will PM you.

Alyson

hollyann

Yes it could be a cyst...Hopefully the biosy will show this and you won't need the other tests......My breast surgeon did a biopsy first and it was a B9 cyst just like she thought it was......It was actually the same size as my tumor and in the exact same spot, so I was terrified too......

Alyson, good luck with your CT scan......Please keep us posted..........

vegas

Hollyann, did you have a mastectomy and then get the cyst? That is what is worrying me. How could I still get even a cyst????

Alyson, my chemo sister, I can't believe that almost to the day we have both found lumps. This is so surreal and much harder than the original diagnosis in many ways. Perhaps because we both know what could lie ahead. I am thinking of you and praying for us both, my dear.

hollyann

Vegas yes.... I had a bilat mast with TRAM recons Feb 2, 2007.....I got the cyst just this past January and had a biopsy done....My breast specialist said it was very common to get cysts and that they are B9........

Alyson, how did your CAT scan go?.........

hollyann

Athena, I felt it.....It grew rather quickly too...I thought for sure I had a recurrence going on and that it was aggressive!....What relief I felt when it came back B9!.....I watched it disappear on the US screen as my BS did the core needle biopsy......Did you have reconstruction?......I had bilat mast and I had my first post surgical mammo in January........I didn't think they did mammos on TRAM breasts but apparently they do..Turns out I have calcs in my breast from fat necrosis....When I read on my report that I had the calcs I freaked cause I thought for sure it was back, but silly me didn't know you can get calcs from fat cells dying!....I would think you can feel them with impants...My cyst was just under the skin so very easy to feel especially since I knew what to feel for........Good luck, athena............

vegas

My reconstruction was with implants and I would not have thought there was enough tissue left to get cysts in? That is why I am freaking out on this!!!   

dlb823

Hi, Diann ~  I, too, discovered a distinct, roundish lump in my reconstructed (Diep flap) breast shortly after my 1-year mammogram, which had been totally clear.  It appeared and grew large enough within maybe 4 to 6 weeks for my rad onc to immediately order an u/s when I showed it to her.  At first, I thought it was delayed RT damage, which is why I showed it to my rad onc.  Anyway, I had a very thorough u/s, and the rad doc assured me it's just a cyst.   I also had 5 or 6 smaller cysts in the same breast, all visible on u/s, although I couldn't feel any of them.  The rad doc told me that cysts are common in women who have had axillary dissection, as we both have.  So, hopefully, that's what yours is, too, but I know the fear you have until you know for sure.  So sorry you're going through that now, but I'l bet it's a B9 cyst.    (((Hugs)))   Deanna   

tinainthepink

Wow, I can't believe I came across this post!  I just found a small lump in my left breast too! I found it on Friday morning.  I have a doc appt on Tues Aug 18th to get it checked out.  I had my bilat mast in March 2007.  I am convinced it is a cyst too, and I am sooooo glad to see you ladies here with some good news.  Thanks!  Sending hugs to you all....

Alyson

I do hope mine is a cyst as well. It is really worrying. Mine is on the 'bad' side.

Best of luck as well Tina . I see the onc on Tueday for a routine visit so will see what he says.

Alyson

JMJ532

Wow--I am glad I found this post too!  I too, found a lump on good breast-had MRI, ultra, and mammo--doctor feels I can wait 6 months for follow up MRI; said probably dense tissue.  As well, have lump on side with reconstruction-fat necrosis.  I think every lump and bump will be a worry for us for the rest of our lives!!

JMJ

Hockeymom1

I also just found a round hard lump on my left breast - non cancer side but reconstructed.  I am dealing with an incision that won't heal on that side and I also had an infection recently.  I'm not sure if this is related??  I was JUST at the breast surgeons office two weeks ago and this wasn't there and all of a sudden it is there the size of a pea???  Should I go back to the BS or just wait???  I'm pretty convinced it is nothing.  Just not sure what to do?

killertatas

I'm 36 and am 1 year out from having bilateral mastectomy. I had tissue expander reconstruction with silicone implants. I do check my breasts quite often and 5 weeks ago found a lump on my sternum. Went to my breast oncologist, had a ultrasound, and was told to wait a few months and see if it grew! 

Needless to say I got a 2nd opinion. New doctor says that waiting would be ludicrous. He did an ultrasound and asked how long it was there. Told him 5 weeks. He says it is very hard (exactly like my cancer felt) and he can see calcification deposits in it. He's sending me for an MRI in 2 days at Northside Hospital in Atlanta. I'm hoping it is scar tissue.

I was in 5% of women that got breast cancer pre menopausally, so I'm already a bit nervous that I will could be in the small percentage that has a recurrence.

I will pray and hope yours is benign. Keep the faith. God is good:)