Should I trust my RO that its only scar tissue?

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Hey all,

In the last week I noticed a hard lump right underneath my old lx incision which was done last May....rads finished January 16th.  I swear it feels like it has grown in the last week but that may be in my mind only.  I saw my RO yesterday and asked him about my lump.  He felt it and said its scar tissue and that its way too soon to be a recurrence.  He is going to schedule a mammogram in June so that my tissues have time to heal.  My question is should I trust him with his "feeling" on this?  The lump feels very much like the old tumor and I hate having to wait 3 mos for a mammogram...not sure what else I can do.

Comments

  • Nancy2581
    Nancy2581 Member Posts: 1,234
    edited March 2015

    can you ask him for an ultrasound? I swear I have found 3 different lumps at different times. I have shown them to either my MO or my RO. Each time they told me they thought what I was feeling was just tissue but each time they ordered an ultrasound for me to put my mind at ease.

    Nancy

  • CanuckMom
    CanuckMom Member Posts: 173
    edited March 2015


    Yes I told him I needed peace of mind so that why he setup the mammogram for June....it just seems so far away...my cancer was very aggressive so I do lose sleep over it, this really sucks to be stressed already only 1 month out of rads.  Maybe I'll get a second opinion.

  • Nancy2581
    Nancy2581 Member Posts: 1,234
    edited March 2015

    can you call him back and still ask for the ultrasound? Tell him you're very worried (I would be too) and need peace of mind now as June is 3 months away. Honestly does he not get the anxiety this causes? Seriously! I'd insist on the ultrasound

    Nancy

  • tangandchris
    tangandchris Member Posts: 1,855
    edited March 2015

    What about your BS? Contact your BS and let them know what is going on.

  • Momine
    Momine Member Posts: 7,859
    edited March 2015

    Your concern is reasonable. It probably is just scar tissue, but you should not have to worry about it for 3 months. My doc either gives me an ultrasound or as he likes to say "sticks a needle in it" - a fine needle biopsy in other words. So far my various bumps have been either fat necrosis or scar tissue, but I am very glad we established that pronto.

  • KBeee
    KBeee Member Posts: 5,109
    edited March 2015

    No, no, no!!!! Do not just assume it is scar tissue. I had a lump form near my original tumor, and BS and PS were sure it was scar tissue. Even after excising it, they were "sure". The were both wrong. And now the found a second area. Biopsy is the only way to be sure. Mine did not show on. MRI, ultrasound, CT, or PET. You need peace of mind

  • CanuckMom
    CanuckMom Member Posts: 173
    edited March 2015


    Thank you ladies for all your input.  I am seeing my MO for a standard follow-up next week.  I will ask her for a scan...hope she is willing.   Hopefully she is more proactive than the RO!!

  • CanuckMom
    CanuckMom Member Posts: 173
    edited March 2015

    Just wanted to let you ladies know that my MO is going to schedule a biopsy in 2 weeks with the permission of the RO (wants to make sure my freshly radiated tissue can handle it). Thanks again for your input!

  • KBeee
    KBeee Member Posts: 5,109
    edited March 2015

    Glad to hear it. Hopefully it brings all clear results and peace of mind!

  • lemonadehk
    lemonadehk Member Posts: 106
    edited March 2015

    Hi Karen, I am new to the forum so I apologize in advance if my question is intrusive. I am wondering where were your recurred lumps (e.g., along the scar? or somewhere else)? I just had a total mastectomy and my breast area (or where it used to be) is basically all bones underneath skin except for the two ends of the scar where the extra skin is folded). I am just curious where the lumps are likely to be if there is a recurrence. Thank you.

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