Difference between lumps.

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Lynette
Lynette Member Posts: 167
edited June 2014 in IDC (Invasive Ductal Carcinoma)

How can I or medical staff tell the difference between surgery scars and breast lumps. I finished treatments this April  (lumpectomy, chemo, rads, tamoxifen) but am still lumpy over and around the surgery scar. The lumps feel different all the time (some days more or less prominent). Do mammograms and ultrasounds tell the difference between scar tissue and carcinoma lumps? I'm going mad imagining all sorts. I have a check up early September but want to see someone NOW. I'd appreciate anyone's opinion.

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  • Lynette
    Lynette Member Posts: 167
    edited August 2009

    just bumping

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  • KKing
    KKing Member Posts: 425
    edited August 2009

    I had a couple of lumps around my scar..at the time I was 1 year out since surgery.  When I went for the ultrasound she told me that they were fluid filled which meant a cyst but I was sent to have the main lump biopsied.  The doc while doing the biopsy told me that it was not another tumour and that it was fluid filled.   She explained that sometimes after surgery, chemo and radiation there are things that get trapped with the scar tissue and it can swell into cysts.  So don't worry it is probably cysts you are experiencing.   Supposedly they can tell right away from the ultrasound if it maybe a tumour.   Definately get it checked to ease your mind a soon as possible.

    Take care

    Karen

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  • koshka1
    koshka1 Member Posts: 678
    edited August 2009

    Hello...

    KKing is right,,,there are lots of things that happen to the breast after surgery and radiation treatment.  Radiologists watch those changes via mammo and ultrasound.  If they cannot tell between scar tissue and tissue changes they will suggest a biopsy.

    If you are really really worried, ask your oncologist for an MRI.  Those are usually suggested though about a year after radiation treatment because your breast will be enhanced cause of the treatment and they won't be able to get a clear read.

    Hugs and try not too worry.

    Kosh

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  • glostagirl
    glostagirl Member Posts: 388
    edited August 2009

    I had a lumpectomy, chemo then rads.  Four months later I found a suspicious lump very close to the scar area, had it checked right away.  It did turn out to be a local recurrence.    

    The important thing is to keep doing self exams and insist on having anything that doesn't feel right checked out asap.  

    Don't take no or, let's wait and see, for an answer! 

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