How will we know

JanDun1

Hi,

I was diagnosed 6-10-08 with ILC in left breast. Had adjuvant chemo 4ac, 4 taxol, bi-lateral mast and 6 weeks of radiation. Am now on Tamoxifen. My question is: Since ILC grows in sheets rather than lumps, and since I no longer have breasts, how can a recurrence ever be detected?

hlya

I have the same question as you and tried hard to find a certain answer,  but nothing sure yet. My surgeon just said I should feel a lump around the area by my finger.

Would MRI help? I think so....

LoriL

Great question- I've been wondering the same! My Onc. said that usually if there is a local recurrence after mast, it typically shows up as a skin lesion near the incision. 

Survivor07

My doctor told me that recurrence would look like a bug bite that never goes away or an irritation on the skin (a rash thing) that doesn't get any better.

Sue-61

They nurse practitioner from the BS office said to check along the incision line. If you feel a lump, let us know. As far a looking for mets..............she had little advice.  I had bilateral mastectomies and a seroma, so the area on one side looks pretty weird anyway. I guess it will be hit or miss if I find something.........

JanDun1

Thanks ladies. Your info has been helpful. My Onc doc told me he wouldn't tell me what to look for. He feels if he gives people symptoms to look for, we'll freak ourselves into thinking we have those symptoms when there is really a simple explanation for a pain here or a twinge there.