New lump in reconstructed breast one month after PET scan -?!

SSInUK

I've been silent on the boards during months and months of pet scans scares when hotspots showed in my pelvis and I've been going through endless tests and repeat scans, I FINALLY got a 'reassuring' normal MRI this week - but the very day before I saw the oncologist for this good news I was gobsmacked to feel a very hard lump in my Diep flap breast. About the size of a walnut, way more distinct than my 5cm primary ever was, a big hard goddamn lump, almost distorting the breast. It's slightly tender and I think the skin over it is a little pink - hard to tell as I still have patchy discolouration from rt. I don't even know where to start. The oncologist couldnt believe it and went a bit quiet. But nothing was seen in this area on a pet scan a month ago?! If it's a recurrence it's growing like NUTS and didn't show on PET four weeks ago? But what else could it be? It's within a Diep not even breast tissue. But it I s next to the scar. I had mastectomy radiation chemo... can it really be back? But how can it be something ejse? Going for urgent US and biopsy friday

TectonicShift

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sbelizabeth

Oh, SS, I'm sorry you're dealing with this crapalactic stuff. We're all sending good vibes your way.

lkc

Hi SS,

Sorry you are having to go through this.

Fairly recently I found a significant very hard lump in my reconstructed breast. I immediately saw my surgeon who excised it. Turned out: Scar tissue totally benign!! Apparently not that unusual...

Hold on.... it may be nothing. Hoping you get good news soon.

SSInUK

thank you. I needed to hear that. It’s the rapid appearance/growth that’s freaking me. Was yours tender at all?

lkc

MIne seemed to pop up very quickly, not tender but uncomfortable.

NancyHB

I’m so sorry you’re going through this. This sounds so similar to what I’ve experienced in my DIEP recon. I have a large area of distortion in the lower/inner part of my breast with a large lump behind it, that seemed to appear overnight as the swelling reduced and my rear became a little softer and more natural.My PS believes it’s fat necrosis. I’m making plans to have it excised later this summer. I wanted you give you hope that it’s could be something other than a recurrence.

Denise-G

My sisters Diep Flap breasts suddenly became full of fat necrosis. It doesn't feel good, but that is all it is.

Good luck!

SSInUK

Thank you all SO much for chiming in with these stories they have got me through the week to my appointment in a much calmer state. The one and only good thing cancer did for me was bring me into the community of lovely brave funny kind and generally awesome fellow sufferers. You rock, ladies. Biopsy tomorrow.

SSInUK

Scan and biopsy today. Good news is there was infection so the lump wasn’t solid all through. Only concern is they don’t know why you’d get abscess there, so still checking for tumour cells. Praying it’s a weird random who-knows-why abscess. Never heard of it in a Diep years after surgery. Blimey. Friday night wine re

beeline

SSinUK, just thinking of you as a fellow 3C’er and hoping along with you that it is a who-knows-why abscess. I’m glad the initial indications point that way! Enjoy the wine and hope you get good news soon!

SSInUK

Pathology of biopsy came back - a weird bacterial infection that has my oncologist puzzled. The 3cm lump has greatly reduced with drainage and a/bs thank heavens. They’ll follow up with another US scan in 6 weeks. There could be a nasty root cause but could just be random. Fingers crossed. I wanted to post so others freaking out may know that the weirdest things are possible. My onc says he’s never seen it before. He sent me home with a humorous ticking off for having too many stressful complications!!! Thanks for your kindness everyone. Pray this one can get signed off.

Trishyla

Yay, SS. Here's to weird complications. 🍾🍾🍾

Take care.

Trish

wintersocks

SSinUK

Wonderful news that you are an enigma! - prayers that's all you are and it is.

Gudrun

So very happy for you.

sbelizabeth

SSinUK I've been worried sick about you. I'm thrilled you have a weird infected lump. How often do you get to say that to someone?

When I first read your post I thought "infected epidermal inclusion cyst." Sometimes this kind of cyst develops very close to a scar. I have no idea if this is your issue, of course, but that's what popped into my head!

I'm ginormously relieved. Take care. SB

SSInUK

A follow up ultra sound six weeks later showed nothing abnormal. One more to go in another two months. Thanks for your kindness

beep7bop

OK ladies I have a knot. Ultrasound in the morning. Doesn't hurt about the size of a pea. inner side left breast implant.

SSInUK

Hang in there. Since I first posted this thread I had yet another similar incident. This time it was scar tissue. That's 4 such scares in 5 years. A hell of a lot of fear and angst - but no cancer. This last time I found I had finally got into my head the old cliche - 'don't borrow trouble'. Time enough to panic ifthere is something wrong. But there really most likely isn't. We've had surgeries - bits go lumpy after. It’s crazy common. Let us know how the IS goes