Thickening/lump over breast implant after mastectomy

Maitri

Hi folks,

I had a right mastectomy a year ago, and finally had reconstruction with silicone implant in July 2018. A couple of weeks ago I noticed that there is a thickened area over part of the reconstructed breast. Kind of like a smooth lump with thickened skin. I had a mammogram today of my left intact breast (yay, no cancer) but the radiologist did an ultrasound of the right thickened area. They "think" it is probably benign (my oncologist also saw me last week and checked out the area -- she seemed pretty confident it wasn't anything to worry about, but ordered the ultrasound just in case), and offered to either "wait and see" or for a biopsy. I opted for the biopsy (technically an FNA). I'm anxious because you never know, right? And of course, all of talk of "it is most likely nothing" also happened when two lumps (determined to be stage 2A, ER+/PR+, HER-) were discovered last year. I didn't have any lymph node involvement and am currently on Arimidex (I had a hysterectomy in April). Anyhow who had a mastectomy experience something similar?

Thanks in advance! I'm worried but not worried, but worried -- ugh, y'all know how it is!

Maitri

KBeee

I have had multiple lumps biopsied after my first diagnosis. My body likes to make scar tissue, but unfortunately, it likes to make cancer too. My lumps which were scar tissue felt more like thickened areas, and my cancer recurrence felt like a frozen pea. Everyone is different though and the only way to know is biopsy, so I think you are very wise. Hoping it is benign. Keep us posted.

buttonsmachine

I had something similar, and it did turn out to be my cancer. I certainly hope that's not the case for you! Still, better safe than sorry - when I had my recurrence it spread to two lymph nodes while we "watched it" for a while. The punch biopsy later revealed recurrent cancer. Ugh :-(

Anyway, I think your impulse to biopsy is a good one. If it's not cancer you'll have peace of mind, and if it is cancer you'll find it that much sooner. Best wishes to you in the meantime - I know the not knowing can be hard. Hugs.

KBeee

When did they think they'd have the results? Glad you got it biopsied; I am not a fan of the wait and see approach. I've seen too many cases, like buttonsmachine, where they are wrong. You either have piece of mind if it is negative, or make a plan to address it early if it is positive, both of which are better than "what if.....".

HealthIsWealth

Hi Maitri,

I can relate to your question as I had a mastectomy last year too and had implant only reconstruction in late September 2018. About two weeks after surgery, I found two lumps close by each other and they were almost directly under two previous biopsy scars. One feels like a hard frozen pea and the other is similar but smaller. When I met my breast surgeon and had an ultrasound, they found an enlarged lymph node too but think this is because of recent surgery etc and so they're taking the 'wait and see' approach for 3 months. I didn't have lymph node involvement on my original diagnosis either.

I was ok with the wait and see approach at the time, and talks of 'it's most likely fat necrosis/scar tissue' etc. But as the time goes on I find myself thinking about it more and more!! I think you made the right call on having the biopsy straight away, the waiting eats away at you! I have fingers crossed for a clear biopsy result for you

Anonymous

Hi all, I’m 8 years out and had finally put BC to the back of my mind ... until I found a lump this morning. It feels like a movable pee sized lump. It’s in the opposite breast from my original cancer. I did have a double mastectomy and was early stage so doc had recommended only physical breast checks (which I do have from my physician) and no mammograms.

I’m trying not to freak out and came here to see what I should insist on because I’m not sure I’ll be okay if they recommend wait and see. So biopsy is really the only way to know for sure right?

I hope your biopsy comes back negative!

KBeee

Susansgarden, they may recommend an MRI. Biopsy is hte only 100% sure way, but MRI can give a pretty good idea. Hoping it is benign.

kbram

SusansGarden, I had the same thing happen to me. My breast surgeon did an US and determined it was my implant with a bubble or ripple in it. No cancer! But do get it checked out to make sure.

Kathy

Denise-G

SusansGarden - I am over 7 years out and my scar on my removed breast did have scar tissue, but suddenly it did grow. It felt like a row of peas. Today was check it out day. I had recently had an MRI which showed it was okay, however, my MO wanted it checked by ultrasound as well. They did tons of pics of the area, then the radiologist wanted imagery via mammogram as well. That wasn't easy as I am almost flat on that side. They called their best mammogram tech to do mine. She was able to do miracles and they could definitely see it was fat necrosis.

My tech said fat necrosis can grow years later...it was yet another relief to have it checked. Sending my best wishes to you!