Swelling by clavicle - Surgery on Friday

SDWoman

I am scheduled for BMX with reconstruction on Friday after DCIS was found in a biopsy a few weeks ago and now discovered swelling by my clavicle on the right side, which is the same side with the DCIS.

The swelling is significant enough to be seen without having to feel for it. It does not feel hard, but more fluid filled. I feel otherwise healthy, with no cold or other illness occuring.

This can't possibly be cancer in my lymphnodes can it? What can it be otherwise?

dtad

Hi there.So sorry you have to be here but welcome. What did the docs say about the swelling above your clavicle? They should be able to palpate it and pretty much know if it feels like a lymph node. It would be unusual with DCIS. May I ask why you are having a BMX for DCIS? Are you trying to avoid the anti hormones? There definitely can be other explanations for the swelling besides cancer. Good luck and keep us posted.

SDWoman

dtad. When paplating I don't feel anything but swelling. Doc said not to worry about it before surgery tomorrow. I'm hoping it's just stress.

I decided on bilateral mastectomy primarily because of my age and family history.

Being 48 I have alot of years for it to surface again. In addition, I have lost a sister, 2 cousins, 1 aunt to breast cancer, and another aunt to ovarian cancer. I also have another aunt and cousin that are survivors. Being the 8th in my family to battle this I just want to reduce my risk as much as possible. I also don't want to face years of callbacks for something suspicious, biopsies, etc.

Lastly, with a lumpectomy I was facing several radiation treatments and 5 plus years of hormone therapy. With a mastectomy, provided there are no surprises in the final pathology I may bypass alot of that. Fingers crossed.