skin problems after radiation - fear of recurrence

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kim_the_nut
kim_the_nut Member Posts: 24
edited June 2014 in IBC (Inflammatory Breast Cancer)

My BC was mixed, including inflammatory, with noticeable skin changes.  It came on very quickly.

I had very successful chemo followed by double mastectomy (BC was just on left).  I just finished rads in late October.  I did have a very bad burn, but it has more or less completely healed.  I have now developed a couple red areas with a small lump under them.  If they were on my face i'd probably call them blind pimples, although they're not acting like regular pimples - not completely round and not sort of working up to a head. 

These areas are just inside the radiation field.

My doctors are being very aggressive.  I only discovered these Wed and they will see me Monday AM.

Would anyone be worried about a recurrence?  That would be very unlikely, wouldn't it - just a few weeks after rads, and after an almost complete response to chemo?

They're not in the area where underarm hair grows, but rather, just outside it.

Any thoughts?

Kim 

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  • lexi4
    lexi4 Member Posts: 1,074
    edited November 2008

    Hey Kim,

    Boy, I would like to say that it would be impossible for it to be a recurrence so soon, but this disease can be so darned sneaky. However, being that you just finished up your rads tx, my guess is it is probably your skin still reacting to the radiation. I know my skin was still "hot" for sometime after finishing radiation. I am hopeful that that is all it is for you.

    Please keep in touch and let us know how you are doing.

    Hugs and Prayers,

    Lexi

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  • amberyba
    amberyba Member Posts: 608
    edited November 2008

    Kim,

    I had something like this just at the edge of rad area, it was like an acne cyst, it had pus in it, during radiation treatment. This area still act like a black head now, both rad onc. and dermatologist reassure it was ok. but you will see your doctor Monday, so try not to worry about it, I have had to drill in myself when I find something I think is a recurrence that it is innocent til proven guilty. and if you just noticed them Wed, then they haven't been there long.

    I have had to make myself give problem areas a few days to see if the area improves...rest and nutrition are key for healing....

    Prayerfully

    Amber

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  • kim_the_nut
    kim_the_nut Member Posts: 24
    edited November 2008

    Thanks so much for your posts, Amber and Lexi.  I'm happy to report that the surgeon looked at it Monday and decided to just remove it, to be sure, and it was just a cyst.  YAYYYYYY! 

    What a great Thanksgiving this was!  It's been a rough year, but I am so grateful to still be here, and to be well and cancer-free.  Found out I'm not quite as fully recovered as I thought, when I lifted that 13 pound turkey I strained the heck out of myself and had as much pain as when I initially had surgery, but no complaints here.  A few days and I'll feel fine.  Life is good.

    Hugs to both of you and to all my IBC sisters.

    Kim

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