3mm spot to small to know if cancer??

sherryw
sherryw Member Posts: 172
edited June 2014 in Second or Third Breast Cancer

I had BC 4  years ago, recently I found a small lump right beside me lumpectomy scar.  This lump does not feel like my other  lump and it does not feel like the scar tissue that I feel around my scar.

The surgeon, nurses, rads doctor and everyone else that felt it agrees there is a lump there the size of a BB.  So my  surgeon had a MRI and Mammo done and It seems it is not showing up on either of those mostly because of the scar tissue.  So the surgeon said if it is cancer it would be 3 mm or less because that is the size that the MRI first detects it. If it is 3mm or below the MRI does not detect it.   So he asked was I comfortable just waiting and seeing if it grows or changes.  During that conversation I was but after thinking some more we (my husband and I) have thought that we should get it out.  We feel that since it can be felt that it is a lump that needs to come out and get put in a jar.  If it ends up being a hard piece of fat then it is in a jar, if it is a gland that is thick well then it is in a jar.  But if it is cancer that is 3 mm or less it could grow so we feel we need to get it out and put it in the jar and then it can't cause any more problems.   My stats are down at the bottom of the page, I have been taking Femara for a few years now.  

So if you girls would kindly give me some of your opinions and thoughts as to what we should do, it will be greatly appreciated.   We look forward to your input.

Thanks so much for your help

Sherry

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Comments

  • Nichola
    Nichola Member Posts: 402
    edited February 2009

    Hi Sherry

    I had a recurrence in my reconstruction.  As soon as I felt two tiny, rice sized lumps on the skin of my biopsy site, I thought this was suspicious and insisted on a biopsy which amazingly came back clear!  A year later it had thickened and hardened and another small lump came up on the scar line... they turned out to be multiple recurrences that had gone into the skin and I lost my reconstruction.

    Please tell them my story and get it removed!  Take no chances is my motto!

    Nikki x 

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  • Genie2
    Genie2 Member Posts: 38
    edited February 2009

    Sherry, not to be too adamant, but get the damn thing biopsied.  Case closed.   Here's my rule:  would you wait if the problem were your child's?  If your son or daughter had this situation, you would, I am surmising, get the thing biopsied.  You deserve no less.  There you go!    Genie

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  • sherryw
    sherryw Member Posts: 172
    edited February 2009

    Thanks Girls,

    Well just got back from the surgeon and he is taking it out on March 20th.  He said he is real confident that it is just scar tissue but cannot be 100% until he gets it out and does a path report on it.  So he left it up to me what to do.  He said if it is going to bother me to leave it in there and watch it then he said he would take it out he was absolutely up to doing whatever I decided.  So I know it will just live in my brain rent free causing me stress until I know for sure it is not a recurrence.  So my husband and I are happy with the appointment today and are confident that getting it out is the best for us.  So it is going to be a lump in a jar soon.

    Thanks for your concern 

    Sherry

    p.s. my daughter(19yrs old) does have a lump they think is a fibroid and this same surgeon is going to biopsy it in a week

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  • Nichola
    Nichola Member Posts: 402
    edited February 2009

    That's the way to go Sherry...!!!

    Keep us posted re you daughter,

    Fingers crossed for you both,

    Nikki x 

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  • sherryw
    sherryw Member Posts: 172
    edited February 2009

    Thanks Nichola

    Just wondering how the recurrence caused you to loose your reconstruction.  That is horrible did they have to end up taking it off to get all of the recurrence.  I am so sorry that happened to you.  Interested in finding out the details, if you don't mind.

    Sherry

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  • Nichola
    Nichola Member Posts: 402
    edited February 2009

    Hi Sherry

    I don't mind at all...  Although I hope my story doesn't scare you:

    I was really surprised that on a routine check up my onco PS noticed the change and ordered an US.  Within no time another "nodule" had appeared on the scar line of where my nipple was and yet the ultrasound of both of them looked benign.  It was a last minute thing that made the Radiologist biopsy the first lump just in case.

    After the biopsy proved malignant my PS removed both nodules by lumpectomy: The pathological finding was that it had gone into my skin in both.  Unfortunately, he didn't get clear margins and it seemed possible that the whole skin flap over my reconstruction could be compromised and also because it was an LD flap with implant, they had to be sure nothing had spread into my chest wall that was being masked by the implant.  After they had removed the reconstruction, they did in fact only find a third, very tiny 2mm skin malignancy. 

    I have to say that at the time it really rocked me and I absolutely hated having just one boob.  However, I had a delayed tram-diep done just before Xmas and whilst it's not as pretty as my LD, psychologically it's been fantastic!

    Nikki x 

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  • koshka1
    koshka1 Member Posts: 678
    edited February 2009

    Hey there!

    I am with the ladies on this....

    Get it biopsied.  If it is only 3mm-ish..and it turns out to be a tiny recurrence - just think of how tiny you did catch it....

    And if it turns out to be nothing...Right on!

    But best to know...this is the only way we can beat this!

    Hugs....Keep us posted...Kosh

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  • Genie2
    Genie2 Member Posts: 38
    edited March 2009

    Phew !  Good to know it's coming out and getting checked.  Best health thoughts for you and your daughter.  Genie

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  • sherryw
    sherryw Member Posts: 172
    edited March 2009

    Nikki

    I am glad that everything worked out for you after a tragic situation.  Thanks for the explanation, and no it didn't scare me.

    Genie thanks I will feel much better when our lumps are both checked and taken out.

    sherry

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  • slmdavidson
    slmdavidson Member Posts: 127
    edited March 2009

    Thanks Nikki and Sherry

    I agree - I also had a very small 5 mm lump in my reconstructed breast that turned out malignant.  Luckily I had a lumpectomy and a re-excision but was able to stretch the skin to keep the reconstruction somewhat in tact.  Nikki - so sorry to hear about your situation.  I was warned that might happen to me as well.

    You just never know and the quicker you find it and get it out the better.   Please keep us posted! 

    Laura

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  • Hanna60978
    Hanna60978 Member Posts: 815
    edited December 2011

    .

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  • sherryw
    sherryw Member Posts: 172
    edited March 2009

    Thanks for your input girls--Those of you that had the small lumps how were they found,  by mammo, MRI or ultrasound.  Mine does not show up on any of the 3 tests I just mentioned.  I found it during my exam.  Just curious if yours being small like mine showed up or how you found them.  Everyone that has examined me and their brother (LOL) have been able to feel the lump but it does not show on the tests, that helps me to be hopeful that it is just scar tissue since it is so close to the scar.  Thanks for you input.

    sherry

    2 weeks from today I will be happy and worry free cuz I know it is out of me, and in a jar

    No more free ride in my body

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited March 2009

    I have always wondered if implants would hide a reoccurance. 

    Peg

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  • tos
    tos Member Posts: 376
    edited March 2009

    Sherry congrats on deciding for a biopsy.  Most likely it is scar tissue but you need to know for your peace of mind.

    I have had two small tumors, 6mm and 8mm both of which have been cancer and were found on a mammo.

    My daughter had a small one only found thru an mri.

    It is strange how some of these things happen but a theory I like is a lump belongs in a jar not in me.

     I certainly hope all goes well for your daughter also.

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  • slmdavidson
    slmdavidson Member Posts: 127
    edited March 2009

    Sherry

    My recurrence was found by me, just a small lump under the skin....in fact, after finding it, we did a mammogram and MRI and it didn't really show on that.  It was a malignancy, very small.  My doc said most recurrences are found by the patient, not by testing.  So keep doing those self exams.  Sherry - you have your biopsy or surgery scheduled?  If so, let us know when, I'm thinking about you!

    Peggy - I don't think implants would necessarily hide a recurrence.  There is only a thin layer of muscle and skin over the implant.  The lump was not hard to feel and it was very tiny.  Not even big enough to get an Oncotype DX test run on it! 

    Laura

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  • sherryw
    sherryw Member Posts: 172
    edited March 2009

    Girls,

    Thanks, so much.  You guys have just helped me to reaffirm that I made the right decision.  My surgery is Friday March 20th, so I will be glad to have it out.  The path report should be back a week later.  Thanks again for your input on my question.

    Sherry

    Laura, was your recurrence near your initial lump.  Also when was your original DX?

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  • sherryw
    sherryw Member Posts: 172
    edited March 2009

    Well girls,

    I had my surgery on Friday, the surgeon is certain that he got the lump we were feeling.  So for now we are just waiting for the pathology report.  I go to the surgeon on Monday to get the results.  I am confident that it is just scar tissue but I have to say I am so happy that I can no longer feel that little lump in me anymore.  I still have swelling in my breast from the surgery but other than that feel pretty good.  He did take a lot out so I think when this swelling goes down I will have a good size indent in my breast but thats okay the lump is gone.  I will check in and let you know what the pathology says.

    Thanks for your support

    sherry

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  • Nichola
    Nichola Member Posts: 402
    edited March 2009

    Sherry

    Will keep fingers crossed and pray for benign result..

    Nikki x 

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  • sherryw
    sherryw Member Posts: 172
    edited April 2009

    I got my results and the good news is that it is a Scar in a jar...It was just compacted scar tissue that developed into a round shape ball.  So I am still dancing with Ned.

    Thanks everyone for you help and concern

    Sherry

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  • koshka1
    koshka1 Member Posts: 678
    edited April 2009

    Awesome !!  Congratulations!!  and Hugs....

    Kosh!

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  • slmdavidson
    slmdavidson Member Posts: 127
    edited April 2009

    Sherry

    Wahoo!!! Laughing  I've been gone for a while on vacation and SO GLAD to see your posting that it was benign!!!  Amen, prayers answered!

    Laura

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  • sherryw
    sherryw Member Posts: 172
    edited April 2009

    Thanks so much girls --- Just one more bump in the road that I was able to get over.

    I appreciate your support

    Sherry

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  • lollypop59
    lollypop59 Member Posts: 123
    edited November 2011

    hi nicohola i am pretty new to the sit but id like to mention i had the same has you nodules in the skin thay were cancer cells that were ;left back back last sept from oringinal dx, anyway i had them removed dont need ant further treatmemt, i did lose my silicone, but providing i stay NED i will have another next year that you pump up.

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