I think I have a problem

Do you really think so, so soon?  How about scar tissue?

Oh, Annie, that really sucks.  Not that it is a recurrence, but just that you have a hard, round mass that is tender.  Who can look at it for you?  Have you started rads yet?  Medical oncologist, radiation oncologist?  (I know your particular surgeon tends to be Dr. Buzzkill in the best of times, so I know he's probably your last choice, but he may be more familiar with the feel of things...)

I know that in July of 2007, 3 months after my mastectomy, I was back at work under a great deal of stress, and I felt all puffy and felt what seemed to me like an enlarged node above my left collarbone -- well, I googled "left supraclavicular" and found it was called "Virchow's node" and was a prime site for metastasis -- of course, I totally flipped.  Saw 3 doctors in the next 2 weeks (surgeon's partner because "real" surgeon was away, med oncologist, then "real" surgeon) -- the first one was concerned but the next two weren't -- swelling, puffiness, pain and tenderness continued for months and months -- felt kind of hard to the touch to me, too -- but finally in March of 2008, my surgeon convinced me that it was a vein and not a node...

All I'm saying is I understand how terrible it feels to have suspicions, and I urge you to ask your doctors about this, while at the same time saying there are a lot of things that can swell and be painful.

So sorry -- it really sucks to have to recapitulate this dread -- I'm sure it can be many things other than a recurrence, but you can tell my vote is to ask a bunch of doctors too.

Love,

Ann

It is probable nothing.(just like Lynnincalif noted-  a lot of us had these issues pop up) ...but I would check it out.  All of my tumors hurt, don't ever let a doctor tell cancer does not hurt.  Many of us had pain in tumor areas.  But I also have had pain in lymph system when they are in high use moving stuff out of the body. Maybe you have had some old dead cells in the body and your body is having problems flushing them out of this area?

Praying it is nothing more than old scar tissue or a good flush happening.

Flalady

Annie,

I had surgery in August, including an AD and have had two hard lumps under my arm close to where they removed a walnut size limp node with ILC and extension. Luckily I saw my PT the next day and she pointed out that both lumps ran along a "cord" I had developed from surgery.  This is part of an ancillary web syndrome I am dealing with. The lumps were "congested" areas of fluid and other accumulated debries from surgery. They seemed to be aggrevated when I started chemo (E5103 Trial/AC/T avistan)  They are slightly responding to lymph drainage massage and increased physical therapy.  Just wanted to pass on another possibility and let you know I shared a similar fear last week... so sorry you have to go through this.

sounds like a seroma to me too! of course you will feel alot better when a doctor tells you that  dont panic  we all tend to - myself included - but i can think of a few times i was certain it was back when it wasnt   good luck BIG HUG 

julia

11/1 will be one year since I had my lumpectomy and I have a lumpy area around my incision.  I had an ultrasound and then a mammogram .... all said that they could not be sure if this could be a mass or just scar tissue ... I went with my onc, onc radiologist, and surgeon's opinion -- scar tissue (a cyst was found -- probably fluid that has not absorbed).  Today, about 4 - 5 inches above my wrist on the same side of my bc, I found a painful lump, it seems to be round ... and a heavy car door sprang back and hit my boob in the incision area.  Some days I think that I should just stay in bed ... Ha!  Anyway, it is probably nothing but I totally agree that you should have your area checked out.  It is always best to be assertive when it comes to your health.  Please let us know what you find out!

Blessings,

Kay

Annie,

 I am so sorry to hear that you are suffering so.  Oh, how I know how that feels.  Hang on to hope that this is something that can easily be taken care of.  I wish I could hug you .... since I can't ... feel my hug coming your way!

 Blessings,

Kay

Just saw your post Annie.

 Suture granuloma, infected seromatous fluid, neuroma all come to mind, and all benign.

 Wishing you some sleep tonight. We'll all be thinking of you. Wishes for the best.

Tender 

Annie I hope you'll be able to sleep now...........I'll be thinking of you tomorrow..............here's a hug and a prayer that your onc will give you good news!

Annie, Annie, Annie...

This whole lifestyle really sux, doesn't it?  Worrying about every lump and bump, trembling at the thought of our next onco exam...

I vote with Tender.  Your surgery was just 6 weeks ago, and you haven't had your drains out all that long.  I had a seroma the size of a shooter marble under my arm, and it traded fluid with a tract along my mast incision for quite awhile after my drains were pulled.  The shooter marble was not "hard" because it was open to the tract under the mast scar.  If not for that, it would have been "hard", especially when it was resolving.  I also have a "knot" under my arm at the end of the mast/SNB incision, and there is a strong likelihood it really is a knot--or at least, scar tissue.  I've had my onco and my surgeon feel there (a lot), and they're not impressed.

Keep in mind that, even though you had an ALND (right?) and your nodes should be gone, that lymphatic fluid from your arm and breast and chest wall has to go somewhere.  As it is roaming around in your armpit, searching fruitlessly for a lymph node, it can accumulate into a seroma.  Also, it wouldn't be unusual for you to develop some "cording" (axillary web syndrome--Google it) right about now.  Cording will feel "hard" and sometimes lumpy.  The lumps are apparently fibrosis (fibrous connective tissue) that develops along the defunct lymphatic vessels.

[I'm putting the word "hard" in quotation marks because my psyche is still wounded from an encounter I had 27 years ago, when a surgeon/faculty member scolded me for using the word "hard" to describe fibrotic tissue.  After basically calling me "stupid" in front of 5 of my classmates and 3 other surgeons, she pointed out, "A rock is 'hard'.  Tissue is 'firm'.  I hated her, and I celebrated quietly when she was denied tenure.] 

OK, so today is Monday and you'll be finding out what that lump is in a couple of hours.   Maybe your surgeon will "stick a needle in it" to find out.

Big hugs from rural Alabama...

otter 

P.S.:  I really like your avatar pic.  Is it a recent photo?  You don't actually have that much hair already, do you (otter asks with thinly veiled envy)? 

Me three, I'm with Tender and Jane/OneBadBoob -- try to see your oncologist now, and your breast surgeon when he returns.

Limbo land is the worse stress for me.  I also would try to get someone to see the lump asap to preserve the quality of your next few days.  It sure can't hurt anything!!

I also cast a vote for the oncologist.  Mine found a lump a few months back and sent me directly for an U/S guided biopsy.  Found out the next day.

I also agree with many above who've described many OTHER things your lump could be.  Best of luck, Annie.  Hope your lump question gets resolved soon and turns out B9 as well.

Jeanne