Surgical cord? After masectomey

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Cookies Member Posts: 41

hi everyone.  I am recently diagnosed metaplastic BC patient.   I am a 41 year old, otherwise healthy female.  My core biopsy was originally misdiagnosed as malignant phyllodes - and he BS here at home had no sense of urgency to remove it,  have the slides removed, or present me to tumor board. I flew to John Hopkins the day after seeing her.  I took my core biopsy slides and found that I was misdiagnosed and I didn't have phyllodes but metaplastic spindel cell - which change my treatment algorythm. My tumor had doubled in size in 10 days do the Hopkins BS agreed to do a mastectomey the next day.  He had to take a lot of skin as it was in the inner upper quadrant and I am super small breasted.  My incision is from the back of the armpit across the sternum.   He told me to have my primary pull the drain and didn't  think I needed to fly to see him post op.   I have developed this hard, cylindrical non red, mild painful, line like mass.  It is in an arc shape from the top of the breast bone going up and put toward the armpit.   Is this a cord?  What is a cord? 

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  • inks
    inks Member Posts: 746
    edited November 2014

    When you say "cord" are you referring to cording also known as axillary web syndrome? From your description it sounds that you are referring to the actual drain lines. They are usually above the breast and below the breast and exit under the armpit. Are your drains still in? Cording aka axillary web syndrome is scar tissue in the arm and armpit. It seems too early for you to be able to develop cording.

  • Cookies
    Cookies Member Posts: 41
    edited November 2014

    yes I only had one drain and it is still in.  Could it be that long and that high? It is just 2 inches below the clavicle - 

  • inks
    inks Member Posts: 746
    edited November 2014

    Yep, they are freakishly long. I had two drains and mine circled the breast above and below on the ribcage. So it's most likely the drain. But I have no idea why you are having the redness and pain. Could it be that you are super thin and have no "padding" and that's why the drain is super uncomfortable? I hope you get the drain out soon so you will feel better and everything resolves.

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