what do skin mets look like?

txstardust

I did a search on bco about this and followed a link that shows a youtube video of different presentations of skin mets. Of course, Dr. Google doesn't know all, but the very last type that was discussed in the video saying it was the most common presentation is skin-colored nodules. Today, I happened to catch a glimpse of 3 nodules - 2 are VERY small (about the size of the tip of a crayon) and one is a little bigger - about the size of a pencil eraser. They are the same color as my skin. I have never seen them before today. They don't hurt or itch. They are on my reconstructed breast (skin-sparing DIEP) on the same side as the original cancer. However, they are not on my scar line - they are several inches away. What is the most common presentation of skin mets? How quickly do they appear and how fast do they grow? Just hoping for some insight while I wait until tomorrow to call the doctor. (Why do these things always come up on a Sunday?)

TarheelMichelle

Hey txstardust, my skin mets were tiny bumps I could feel under my skin. They were not discolored or red-purple open sores like some ladies have. I could see them and feel them. Mine seemed to come up fast, from barely noticeable to noticeable in a couple of months. According to my oncologist, the pathology shows them as slow-growing. They are on my right side, which is where most of my mets are. My initial breast lump was on my left side, but my right lung and ribs have the most cancer, and the skin mets were under my right arm, and on the far side of my right breast near the underarm. Also have one below my collarbone, dead center. I felt weirder about the skin mets I think because they are so visible. An advantage is that the skin mets were relatively easy to biopsy. So you and your doctor won't have to play guessing games as much as if you had some internal pain. I hope you will post in the skin mets discussion I started, once you know what's going on. I'd appreciate hearing the outcome. I didn't find much on skin mets before mine was diagnosed a couple of months ago, and I hope it helps all of us to share our experiences. Best wishes to you.