Local reoccurrence after mastectomy?

fifi67

Looking for some advice please? I was diagnosed with ER/PR + HER2 neg IDC in March 2019. I had 2 unsuccessful lumpectomies (didn't get clear margins) followed by a mastectomy with immediate implant reconstruction in July last year. Lymph nodes were clear. I had a few post operative complications with cellulitis and skin allergies but by Sep last year all had resolved. I didn't have Chemo (oncotype score was 13) or radiotherapy but have been on tamoxifen since August. Just before Christmas I noticed a pale pink, round patch of skin under my mastectomy scar close to the cleavage area. This patch of skin became increasingly redder, inflamed and puffy and my initial worry was that it could be cellulitis again. There is also some 'peau d'orange' surrounding it. I saw my breast cancer surgeon in late and she prescribed antibiotics which I took for approx 5 weeks but there has been no real improvement. I have been seeing her regularly since Christmas but to date she has been unable to tell me what's causing it. I also saw a dermatologist who gave me betnovate cream to use but it didn't do anything either. Anyway at my last consultation my BC surgeon decided to ultrasound my breast which showed inflammation under the area in question however the radiographer also noticed that I had an enlarged lymph node on my BC side and decided to biopsy it. I am due to get the results this Friday and am in a panic that this red patch of skin could be a local reoccurrence in the skin. I am experiencing occasional darting pains in my breast but they come and go. I also have some breast lymphodema so I'm not sure if this could be contributing to the redness? I am wearing a compression bra during the day and notice that the redness seems to get worse at the end of the day.

I'm wondering if anyone has had a local reoccurrence that started like this?

buttonsmachine

I'm sorry you're going through this. Can you ask your surgeon for a punch biopsy of the skin? It is an easy biopsy, and then you'll have some definitive answers, and hopefully some peace of mind.

My local recurrence in the skin was different from how yours sounds, but it's always good to be cautious when it comes to breast cancer.

Lisey

Also, consider looking up Breast Implant Illness. It is a real thing and some have symptoms just like yours.

fifi67

Thank you. I think a skin biopsy is the next step. At this stage whether it’s good or bad news I just want answers!

fifi67

Yes, thanks Lisey. I’ll do that.

KBeee

Hoping you are able to get a punch biopsy. Keep us posted.