Lump found one year after prophylactic double mastectomy

mydogjaxon11

One year ago completed prophylactic mastectomy with no reconstruction. Found a lump directly above my scar. Saw my primary care and she is baffled. Had ultrasound today and radiologist ruled out lipoma. Said it was both fluid and solid mass. What does that mean? He recommended MRI with contrast. Why such a costly procedure if he couldn't tell what it was with ultrasound? Why not just biopsy it? How concerned should I be?

buttonsmachine

An MRI is usually the best way to see what is going on after a mastectomy. They can see the lump, as well as the chest wall and lymph nodes. It's good that they are recommending an MRI, because that means they are doing a thorough evaluation of you, and gathering valuable information. It's always good to have a baseline too. That being said, I don't think you should worry yet. Best wishes to you.

mydogjaxon11

Thank you for responding and reaching out. Radiologist reported a complex cystic mass in the fatty tissue not in or on the muscle. My Primary care not wanting additional unnecessary radiation and sending me to new surgeon to decide if she wants to leave it alone, needle biopsy or removal. I guess it wouldn't be considered a lumpectomy as there's no breast tissue. Obviously very rare to see this on someone with mastectomy completed by choice due to high risk. It's not just preventative...it's time and stress I wanted to remove from my life and increasing chances of better outcomes. So fingers crossed I'm not one in a million! But I'm prepared either way, always have been. Cheers to all the fighters who do fight the fight...

buttonsmachine

Just fyi, the good thing about an MRI is that is doesn't expose you to any radiation. :-) So if you do need an MRI sometime, don't worry about that. Unfortunately we always have a little breast tissue left over after a mastectomy, so it's good you're following up. A biopsy is the surest way to know what's going on. Keep us posted.

mydogjaxon11

Update.

Not happy with my surgeon who performed my bilateral prophylactic mastectomy (they are always kind prior to surgery, then treat you like time suckers post operatively). I had my right chest wall drained like 15 times for 3 months post op. Saw a new surgeon and she didn't like the physical exam of the lump on left chest wall. It's both solid and liquid and hopes it's a trapped seroma...but after a year? And why would it show up so suddenly? One of my fears is overall costs. Insurance deductible is outrageous so why spend time doing an MRI, needle biopsy etc. which may not give the results they need to make a good decision. She feels it needs to come out either way. I'm scheduled for surgery (was hoping for local or IV but damn I have to go under again). And I have to have another drain. One year ago next week I was aggressive, not impulsive. I knew I wanted to lessen my risks. I'm a touch upset that I have to go through this all over again. I've searched the internet and have not found anything related to complex masses on the chest wall one year post op from mastectomy...52 card pickup! Keep ya posted. Thanks again for your replies. It's nice to just write down these things when there's no one to really share with...

Pengwin

Mine was done March 6 and so far has been nothing but frustrating, painful and depressing. Hard lumps that never went away, right side took forever to close in 2 spots, drains in over a month and still weren’t down to preferred output before they were removed. Now I have had 3 diagnoses (lymphedema, seroma, hematoma) depending on which medical pro I talk to. 2 ultrasounds in the last few days with 80ccs pulled out initially and 50ccs subsequently. I’m at my wit’s end! Doc kept saying I was fine but obviously I am not

Pengwin

I am so sorry you are having this issue so long after your surg. I would like to talk more with you about your specific symptoms if you are open to that