"fatty deposit turned into cancer"

Fatty necrosis is benign and doesn't turn into cancer, but it can look like cancer on imaging. Having it doesn't preclude other things from growing in the same section of the breast though, so it is entirely possible to have both in the same place. Of course, since it wasn't ever biopsied before they could have been mistaken all along on what they thought it was.



From Answers by Sloan Kettering:



Everything You Should Know About Fat Necrosis

Fat necrosis of the breast happens when an injury occurs. This is a lump, and it can often be mistaken for breast cancer in some women. Only proper testing and diagnosis can rule out breast cancer. However, fatty necrosis can be worrisome for women. Fat necrosis can happen after breast surgery, or a breast injury such as a sporting accident, or seatbelt injury. If you have any type of breast lump, you should always see a doctor.

The Good News

Fat necrosis is not cancer, nor does it lead to cancer. Though it can look similar, it does not contain cancerous cells. Over time, it will not develop cancerous cells, so it poses no risk for breast cancer to women. Fat necrosis is treatable. If you find that you are experiencing pain or discomfort, there are methods your doctor can use to deal with this. It will often mean a needle vacuum procedure, or pain medication. This will depend on how large the fat necrosis area is. A mammogram can find fat necrosis before it becomes bothersome. If you are over 30, and you get routine breast exams and mammograms, fat necrosis can frequently be found before it becomes bothersome to the woman.

The Bad News

Fat necrosis can be mistaken for breast cancer. Fat necrosis and breast cancer lumps or clusters, can look relatively similar on a mammogram. Because of this, it can often be mistaken for such, which means a woman will undergo a variety of testing before it can be determined that it's not breast cancer. Fat necrosis often causes breast pain. Most women complain of a general soreness, and at times, a localized pain in an area of the breast. This can be treated with pain medication, but your doctor should be made aware of this. The sooner, the better. Fat necrosis can create a cyst, and can even require surgery. If an area of fat necrosis is too large, or the tissue is dying, a doctor may decide that surgery is in the best interest of the patient. This is because it can cause scar tissue, which can be more painful than the fat necrosis.

DID YOU KNOW?

Did you know that approximately 63 percent of women in a car accident will have complains of breast pain (and areas of fat necrosis) within just 3 months of the accident? This is typically because of a seatbelt injury.

Diagnosing fat necrosis can be difficult, but not impossible. There are things you can do to help ease your mind when it comes to a fear of breast cancer. Seeing a doctor for testing and diagnosis is going to be important. If you think you may have fat necrosis, seeking help as soon as possible can keep it from progressing further. You can look into a variety of treatment options, and the earlier you find the necrosis, the easier it is to treat. It can also keep it from becoming painful, or requiring medication.

Carrie, just to clarify, your fatty deposit was never biopsied?  That's odd.  I had fat necrosis but I know that's what it was because my breast surgeon insisted that I have a biopsy done.

A fatty deposit will not turn into cancer.  (I'm bolding that for anyone else reading who might have a biopsied fatty deposit but who is now worried.) But if you never had a biopsy done, and since you've now been diagnosed with breast cancer, it appears that your fatty deposit wasn't ever a fatty deposit. 

hello honey just want to say, I lost hair, eyebrows, all hair But it grw back, I was nauseaous, but didn,t throw up till last chemo, first was painful into my arm, then port placed and much better, and for Inspiration I want to say, it was ALL 19 yrs ago for I am a 19 yr Survivor(Praise GOD), so hang in there it will get better. msphil(idc, stage2, L mast, 3nodes, chemo and rads and 5 yrs on tamoxifen).