Lump over Implant

chicago-37

I walked into the bathroom this morning and noticed there seemed to be a raised lump over my right implant (only had idc in right but went through with bilateral mx).  I was stage 1, grade 2 with low oncotype score.  No rad/chemo.  Almost 2 years out, and I am again worrying...I recently had a scare with my neck but luckily (or unluckily) was a badly herniated disc which needed to be removed.  I can feel the lump, my husband who is being supportive says it might be a cyst, suture from prior surgeries, or just scar tissue.  I am worried because I started having pains in my breast again (the only symptom from my original dx that prompted me to force doctors to give me a mammo at 37).  If i push hard, or he pushes the wrong way, trying to find the lump it causes pain....

I sent an email to my onco this morning (they won't be in until tomorrow), but I am worried...I have a feeling being almost 2 years out that it's about time for something bad to happen and think it's back....

I guess my question is, besides going through and reading all the threads (which I've been doing all day), has anybody experienced a local recurrence at only 1.8 years after original mx?  Also, was pain involved?  I'm surprised that nobody caught this as I at my onco because of my neck just last Oct and she felt the area and nothing struck her as odd then.... Hope I'm just over reacting.... but I have a feeling I'm not...

nancyh

Hey there Chicago,

I had a local recurrence after 4 years.  I didn't have pain and could not feel a lump - I was taken completely by surprise.  Obviously, you'll want to check things out and I'm wishing you peace during the awful time it takes to figure out what the heck is going on, but also wanted to say that if your lump is in the scar tissue from your mastectomy and is tender, it might very well be lingering tenderness from the scar.  Fingers crossed that will be the answer.  Keep us posted and best of luck to you. 

chicago-37

Nancyh,

  Thank you for the information.  I have an appointment schedule for Wed morning, I am guessing that it will be my Onco feeling it then scheduling more tests.  Waiting to see what happens..and waiting is the hardest part.

chicago-37

Just got a call..cancellation for today.  I'll see my Onco at 1pm.

Gitane

Hi Chicago,  I hope you get the  information you need today, or at least very soon.  Hugs, G.

scrapmom40

Hi Chicago - I just wanted to wish you well and hope it's nothing!  Wishing you get good news!

Karen

chicago-37

Getting ready to head in...not sure who is more nervous, my husband or me.  I'll post when I get back.

chicago-37

Well... I guess good news, but not complete news.  After a Dr, a Fellow and a nurse (who went through all of these with us) felt me several times, they all think it's just the implant and not something 'bad.'  Though, my original bc was not palpable so I'm still a little worried just not as bad as before.  They all said a recurrence would be something harder and more of a nodule or pea.  So, just to be safe, I'll go in for an ultrasound on Wed.

Aside from that, they all were asking if I think the implants moved...I have no feeling there...how can I tell?  The difference in lighting in the bathroom is what prompted me to feel and then notice the lump....maybe it's possible.  Will let you all know what the Ultrasound shows (hopefully nothing).

chicago-37

Getting anxious about tomorrow....I'm afraid the doctors are missing something just like my first diagnosis.  I won't be happy unless this is proven to be nothing.  ~

JennyB100104

Good luck, Chicago. Definitely make them prove it to you!

chicago-37

A couple things are making me nervous:

1) While the Onco/Fellow/Nurse said it's nothing to worry about, the Onco ordered the ultrasound and asked me to follow-up with my BS.  It's been 2 years since I've seen the BS and I guess I should, but in the back of my mind I'm going "my god, she thinks I need another surgery."

2)  I read a thread on here where you can take a flashlight and in a dark room put it under the implant to illuminate it (like a flashlight in your mouth), it works...and i see a dark shadow right around the lump area.  The shadow looks huge, which may be good (scar tissue / something else) ... or bad....

Waiting and worrying is the hardest part. 

chicago-37

Still worried.  The ultrasound tech can't see anything.  She recommends if the doctor wants to follow up is to do an MRI.  I'm going to my doctor to request one.  The final assessment says that it is negative, but the tech said there was nothing visible.  The tech said from her point of view, it's nothing bad but doesn't know if the lump is scar tissue, the implant or what.  She can tell there is a bump but doesn't know what it's from.  ugh.

chicago-37

Going for MRI tomorrow.  ... trying not to think too much.

Gitane

Hi chicago-37,  Will be thinking of you tomorrow.  Hoping for good news.  G.

chicago-37

1.5 hours and then almost 1 hour waiting for a copy of the cd...done.  Now the harder part...waiting for results.

VickiSam

MRI is the way to go ... if insurance permitting.  Waiting for the results as stated above, is terrible.  Chicago, you have been thru so much ..

Peace,  Strength and Courage,

Vicki Sam

chicago-37

So, during the MRI I moved a ton because of the uncomfortable position.  The prone position and arms extended over your head made my arms go numb at times and I had to shift.... but there is good news.... I grabbed my reports this morning:

---- 

Pre- and post- infusion breast MRI is also limited due to significant breathing motion. However, within these limitations, there is no sign of focal enhancing lesion to suggest malignancy.  Specifically, there is no evidence of abnormality underlying the markers placed on palpable findings in the upper inner quadrants of both breasts.

IMPRESSION 

1. NO MRI EVIDENCE FOR MALIGNANCY ON THIS SOMEWHAT LIMITED EXAM, AS DESCRIBED ABOVE.

2. NO MRI EVIDENCE FOR IMPLANT RUPTURE ON THIS SOMEWHAT LIMITED EXAM, AS DESCRIBED ABOVE.

FINAL ASSESSMENT CATEGORY: 1 - NEGATIVE.

----

 I have a follow-up with my BS next week, and my PS in 2 weeks.  I guess this bump, is just some bump.  As long it's not the other type of bump.

Gitane

Good news!  G.

lastminuteD

Good news chicago-37!  I had a local recurrence 13 months after my mastectomy.  Let us know what your BS and PS say.

gobuster

Hi,

I had a similar scare this past Oct exactly one year from my double mx. w. implants.  I had an MRI and second opinion.  The fact that I could easily move my skin back and forth over the "b b sized lumps (it wasn't adhered to the skin) was a strong indication that it was benign.  There are stitches in places I didn't expect stitches.  You can also see you're plastic surgeon.  He/She know exactly where the stitching is.  I hope that helps a bit!

sue50

Hi Chicago,

 Are they going to also check you with a biopsy? Or is the MRI enough? 

Just a thought

 Sue 

poodleluvbug

I am going through something similar right now. It has only been 4 weeks since my exchange surgery, from the tissue expanders to an implant, and now I feel a small "grain of rice" like spot under the skin and above the implant. It is not on the scar tissue but below it by a few inches. I am seeing the PS this week to show him the spot and see if it is stitches or something. I get scared easily now...I had a red spot on my eyeball and thought I had cancer there for a few days...lol...(it went away). I showed the spot to my Onc and of course she couldn't find it and either could I while I was in the office. I found it again as soon as I got home...just like my car when it only makes a funny noise for me and not my husband! Anyway...I am worried!

annie06

Same...had it removed...waiting for path now....update?

annie06

Mine came back IDC.