Surgeon and Oncologist not agreeing

2lkh538

I found a "lump" near the scar line a few months ago. The oncologist sent me back to the surgeon in October because she was concerned and thought it should come out. She said she was pretty sure it was benign but wanted it removed to be safe. I met with the surgeon who said he was 99.9% sure it was scar tissue and I should wait to see if it grows. I felt pretty good with that so I did as he said.

Well, I had my oncology follow-up last week and she hit the roof (well, as much as she ever does). The lump is about the same size but is "more pronounced". She was livid that it hadn't been removed and is "highly concerned" about it. I am scheduled for DIEP reconstruction in April and asked if it could wait until then and she emphatically said NO. She is a pretty calm person so it kinda scared me a little.

I go back to my surgeon tomorrow but am pretty sure he is going to say the same thing, scar tissue, which is what I want it to be, but... EEERRRGGGGG!!! I don't want to be cut on again so soon to recon date but I also don't want to ignore what could be a recurrence. If I insist, he will do the surgery...

Anyone else had a similar experience? I could sure use some stories, good or bad, right now.

Thanks

Beesie

Is a needle biopsy an option?

dlb823

Two questions... Are your oncologist & surgeon in the same medical facility?  And is your surgeon a breast surgeon or a general surgeon?  I'm kind of surprised at the difference of opinion, and also surprised that it doesn't sound like they're talking to each other and have put you in the middle.  It seems like getting it out and getting a pathology on it -- or at least a biopsy, as Beesie suggested -- would be the prudent thing to do -- at least to me.    Deanna 

LizM

I am also surprised that your oncologist and breast surgeon are not communicating. If they are both part of your medical team I would think that your oncologist would call your breast surgeon and as said above, not put you in the middle. However, if it were me I would have it checked out. If it is a recurrence, which it looks like it is not, you don't want to wait and if it is not a recurrence, which looks to be the case, you have peace of mind.

nancyh

I agree with the idea of asking for a biopsy.  Seems like the obvious next step.  Hope it is nothing, good luck!

2lkh538

Biopsy hasn't been mentioned, only surgery. I will ask today. For some reason I didn't even think of that.

 They work in the same facility but  don't seem to be communicating like they did in the past. He is general surgeon, not a breast surgeon.

I really just want to go back to worry about insignificant stuff, like what's for dinner. Since all this started and I got past the initial blur of making decisions, I am having a hard time choosing a blouse to wear in the morning... So this just has really thrown me into a tail spin. I am two years out and all I "want" to focus on is rebuilding... but then I guess we just don't get to make that choice, huh?

Sorry for the mini-rant and thanks for the responses and for listening.

lago

Maybe it's time to find a breast surgeon if this is the type of follow up your general surgeon is going to give you for the rest of your live. Could your onc recommend a breast surgeon?

I totally agree with the others. These two should be communicating.

dlb823

Let us know what happens. Having personally started out with a medical team that had similar communication issues (which my DH quickly i.d.'d as ego problems that were impacting my care), and then finding that problem to be non-existent at the NCI-designated cancer center I went to for a 2nd opinion, where docs immediately pick up the phone and confer with each other, I'm afraid I'm reading similar ego issues into your situation.  Hopefully, that's not the case, and they will get things on-track.  But, as you pointed out, concerns like these absolutely impact our emotional health, and for whatever reason, these 2 doctors don't seem to be putting your needs first.

As far as going back to worrying about insignificant things, I've found that just when you think it will never happen, it does.  Of course, we all need on-going checkups, and the what-if's that go along with those will probably never go away.  But I think it continues to get easier, especially if any possible concerns get checked out in a quick & matter-of-fact manner.    Deanna

    

2lkh538

Hi All,

My appointment with the surgeon was yesterday. I asked him if we could just do a biopsy and he checked the lump. He decided it probably needed to come out too. He took it out in the office with a local. It was larger than we thought and had grown through some of the muscle but he thought it looked benign. I should get the pathology report next Thursday.

I am glad it is gone. Either way I will know and I dont' have to worry about the what-if's for this anyway.

Thanks for all the information. I really appreciate it.

lago

I'm so glad you got this out. Hope it's benign but either way it's now gone.

2lkh538

It was BENIGN!!!! I am so relieved to have it gone and to know that for sure... Thanks for all the words of wisdom.

lago

Happy Dance!!!! Go out and celebrate. It's the weekend.

Ellie1959

Thank God - I did have a similar experience with a lump in scar tissue that was a fatty necrosis and benign - so glad everything is o.k.

Smile_On

Great news.  Glad you trusted your instincts and pushed your general surgeon a bit.  It is a reminder to me that sometimes we know our bodies better than our doctors.  That something that is hard for me.  I've always been the authority pleaser type and rarely ever argue, but I'll try to remember to not yield if I feel uncomfortable with a physician's choice.  Have a great weekend--maybe a dinner out to celebrate!

BrandyB

I've been down this very same road... Ultimately the surgeon aspirated the cyst-like growth but didn't get any cells. The path report said acellular(no cells...) so he removed it. The entire removal took place in under 5 minutes. He numbed the area with a shot which didnt hurt because I don't really have sensation in my scar. He cut it out, sewed me up and I basically forgot about the stitches until they came out a week later. The cyst turned out to be just fat necrosis and not cancer. Was the excision totally warranted? I have no idea, but I feel better knowing it's not cancer and the procedure was a cake walk.



Hope that helped some.



Brandy