Scar tissue

Options
kdholt
kdholt Member Posts: 229
edited June 2014 in Radiation Therapy - Before, During, and After


Can anyone explain to me how to tell the difference between scar tissue and a tumor? I am getting myself all worked up. I got a deep muscle massage a week ago and she really worked the area where my lumpectomy scar is. I also had rads and so that area has always been tight and sore. Well it was still sore the next day and I was rubbing it and started getting anxious when I felt an area of thick tissue just above my scar line- perpendicular to it. It feels like a smooth, firm chord. Not really like a lump. Its next to an area of my breast that has been kinda caved in since surgery so naturally it feels raised. Can scar tissue be found above the scar line also? I just never really paid attention to this before so I don't know if this is something new or if its always been like that. Thanks for the help or for pointing me to the right forum for an answer to this.

· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • ahdjdbcjdjdbkf
    ahdjdbcjdjdbkf Member Posts: 645
    edited November 2013


    how's it going? I'm in the same boat. I have an ultrasound Monday to evaluate a new lump.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • ketofan
    ketofan Member Posts: 10
    edited November 2013

    I'm wondering if the hard tissue is necrosed fat?   My PS explained that my hard lumps were due to that issue and that the rads could make it worse for a while. 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Annie54
    Annie54 Member Posts: 247
    edited November 2013


    Hi all,


    For what it is worth, I had my followup appt with my RO on Friday. I also have thickening along side my lumpectomy scar and a little bit perpendicular to it as well. You can see the raised area on my breast just by looking at it. My RO told me it is scar tissue, very common and not anything to worry about. She recommended massaging it in a circular motion with cream every day and that over time it would break up and go away. Happy to hear that as I was a little worried as well. She also told me that even though my radiation was over, I was still her patient . I could come in to see her any time if I had a questionable lump or thickness and she would check it out. I was glad to hear this as my medical onc is very good but more difficult to get into see and doesn't have a very open bedside manner.....so I'm happy to have another doc to go to with my questions.


    Always have any lump checked out but know that scar tissue is very common!


    Annie

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • jenjenl
    jenjenl Member Posts: 948
    edited November 2013


    Ahh I just went through this. I had a lump about an inch below my incision...went through all the test and determined it was fat necrosis from damage of surgery and radition. Mine is painful that's what made me check mine.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • ahdjdbcjdjdbkf
    ahdjdbcjdjdbkf Member Posts: 645
    edited November 2013

    I'm in the group. I had an ultrasound yesterday that showed a nodule sitting on top of my new implant - which was only put in 3 months ago (my 2nd attempt at reconstruction). Now they tell me the needle biopsy can put my implant at risk. Going to see my PS this morning to see if he has a better way on how to do the biopsy.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Beachnut
    Beachnut Member Posts: 17
    edited December 2013


    Kdholt:


    I too have scar tissue - it is in my whole breast and armpit. When I had my mammogram about 5 months ago, they didn't squish my breast - just took a picture of it. I couldn't believe how thick the scar tissue was compared to my other breast. I hate it. It's been 15 months since I ended radiation treatments - I think scar tissue is normal....unfortunately.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • ahdjdbcjdjdbkf
    ahdjdbcjdjdbkf Member Posts: 645
    edited December 2013

    I had the scar tissue / cyst area removed. So grateful it was benign. I refused the needle biopsy and went for surgery because I didn't want my implant popped. My PS told me they surely would have. They call it a needle. I call it a dart gun!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • mamglam
    mamglam Member Posts: 178
    edited December 2013

    I too, have a thick lumpy ridge along my lumpectomy scar.  When I inquired with RO and MO they said that it was Radiation Fibrosis.  I also, have truncal LE which is helped by massaging the area.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • ahdjdbcjdjdbkf
    ahdjdbcjdjdbkf Member Posts: 645
    edited December 2013

    I have a thickening around my latissimus scar. I've now had 3 different doctors at The Lynn Cancer Institute tell me this is absolutely normal so I am starting to believe them. I'm always looking and worrying though. Right now I'm monitoring a pimple-looking-thing on my rib cage daily.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Categories