Fat Necrosis after DIEP

LAstar

Interesting. I recently had a C-reactive protein test come back high, and I wondered if the necrosis was causing the inflammation. Thanks!

dlcw

I had my DIEP in May 2013 and just today my oncologist found a lump at my regular 6-month visit with her.  I'm trying not to panic and reading this thread has helped.  Can I ask how you got confirmation that it was definitely necrosis?  I am having an ultrasound this afternoon but am wondering of that will be definitive?  Did any of you have a biopsy to confirm?

Thanks,

D

LAstar

I had an MRI but you will want to be sure that a doctor who understands DIEP interprets any imaging you have.  My local radiologist thought the lumps were problematic and interpreted the skin thickening as a sign of IBC (it was really just excess skin on a breast shrinking from the necrosis).  My onc was ready to line me up for biopsies, but my flap surgeon clarified that it was just an oil cysts.  The cysts still freak me out a bit (one is noticeable at my shirt neckline), but I read that they are normal for anyone who has suffered any trauma to the breast.  They can be aspirated if they get too large and uncomfortable.  Best wishes to get good news and have this behind you.  

besa

I felt a small lump  in my flap reconstruction- prophylactic side (about a year after a revision) which seems to be an oil cyst.  I am being followed with mammograms and sonograms until it calcifies.  I saw a radiologist who has lots of experience looking at flap reconstruction and he was pretty sure what it was.  They didn't want to biopsy it but followed it with imaging- 3 months then 6 months --etc.  I could tell it was getting smaller.  I was told that on an MRI it would "light up" - they did not want it followed with MRIs.

Katarina

I'm a year and half out from my TRAM flap. My Onc is very concerned with the mass growing above the recon breast and has been watching it grow faster recently. 18 months is a long time from surgery for continued growth.  It's about the size of a golf ball now.

Have an MRI next week. 

Has anyone suffered health symptoms or seen changes on blood tests?  Even if it is fat necrosis, can it cause side effects?

Thank you,

Kat

dixie60

the hard lumps and areas are scary for me as well—I am glad to hear most resolve on their own, with time.

I would be interested to hear what your MRI results are, Kat—my fingers are crossed!

Katarina

Hi Dixie,

MRI radiologist report said hematoma but surgeon said fat necrosis. I'm having it removed soon so I really will put my bet behind the pathology report. I'll report back.

Hugs

Katarina

dixie60

thanks for checking in, Kat--keep me posted !