Mastectomy and Scar Tissue

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J9W
J9W Member Posts: 395
edited June 2014 in DCIS (Ductal Carcinoma In Situ)

I had a a mastectomy in September 2009 for DCIS. In June of 2011 I noticed a lump on my foob, at about the 12 o'clock position very high up - maybe at the chest wall. Since then, I saw two docs who told me not to worry, it's scar tissue. However, in the meantime there is more of that area that has something there - all at the top of my foob. Does scar tissue show up after so much time?  And if so, to those who massage scar tissue - does it really help? 

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  • JAT
    JAT Member Posts: 81
    edited January 2012

    I had my recon done in Oct 2008, and since then I have had the area ultrasounded multiple times due to small lumps that cropped up-- the most recent were 2 spots less than a year ago-- the radiologist and BS are convinced it's fatty tissue-- and scar tissue for the other spots (same spot as yours). Both said that even 3-plus years later, the area is still changing, so getting to "know" my fake boobs has really been an annoying process. When in doubt, have it checked out, ALWAYS. I haven't noticed that much benefit from massage, but the PS insists that it helps.

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  • cinnamonsmiles
    cinnamonsmiles Member Posts: 779
    edited January 2012

    I had severe scar tissue adhesions across my chest after my BMX in January 2011. And YES, occupational therapy did wonders with the massage. Bear in mind, when my ot's did a massage, it was not, like you imagine going to a salon. My ot's ( I had two, they job shared), were able to softly pull and push the tissue around, depending on the scar tissue. I could actually feel and tell them if it was working or not. I had no idea how much scar tissue I had and how bad it was. I went thru 6 months of ot. I still have problems with scar tissue, and need to do my strectches, etc. They prepared me very well for discharge and gave me lots and lots of things to do at home, including stretchy bands, handouts, and a styrofoam block for me to lay back on.

    I, too, had a pea size lump appear after my mastectomy last year. I was worried right away it was cancer, but confused if it could be there. My breast surgeon told me it felt like scar tissue, and I trusted her. She did say she would biopsy it if it really bothered me that bad. I chose not to. It must have been scar tissue because it has disappeared. 

    I really don't know the answer to your question about whether scar tissue can show up after that much time. But I do think occupational therapy was crucial for my recovery.

    I didn't get reconstruction, so I am a bit different than you in that respect. 

    You may want to try posting this under Breast Reconstruction as well. You may get more responses there.

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  • J9W
    J9W Member Posts: 395
    edited January 2012

    Thank you both for answering my question. I have scars all over of my body and this is the first time lumps have shown up near one of them. Luckily I can have an MRI in a few months and if it's something to worry about I'll know then; in the meantime, I"m going back to the good place where in they are only lumps of scar tissue. (God knows I don't want them to be lumps of FAT!  I have enough of that without my fake boob giving me fake fat too.)

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