post mastectomy skin metasasis
Diagnosed at 38 with stage 2B IDC. Treated with mastectomy, chemo, and 5 years Tamoxifen.
Diagnosed at age 48 with Ipsilateral post-mastectomy chest wall recurrence (tumor in chest between upper reconstructed breast and collar bone - not in scar, under skin). Treated with lumpectomy, chemo, radiation, and Arimidex (forever).
I am now turning 57 and noticed a quarter-sized light pink discoloration on the side of my reconstructed breast several weeks ago. The area has increased to about the size of a half-dollar but still very light pink, but it is not bumpy, not itchy, not warm to the touch, and not tender. I just had my annual breast MRI - no concerns noted.
I've been doing a little reading (I didn't mention the area at the time of my MRI) - Management of local recurrences need radiologists specializing in breast cancer skin mets reading the MRI and a punch biopsy is the best way to diagnose skin mets.
2 questions: Anyone have similar symptoms many years after surgery and radiation? Anyone have skin mets that match this description?
Thank you for your feedback.
Comments
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HI PMsanders, I am sorry I don't have experience with this but know that someone will be by soon to give input. Hoping you are seeking your doctor to get checked out.
Bevin
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I think you should call your BS and MO right away and specifically ask for a punch biopsy. Sorry you are dealing with more worry
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Hi, pmsanders. I discovered my BC when I got out of the shower one morning and found about a 3-inch circle of pinkish skin on my breast. It wasn't bumpy or itchy, but when I got a magnifying mirror and looked closely, the skin did have an orange-peel (peau d'orange) texture within the pink area. As it turned out, there was a very small lump of BC underneath it, and the circle was an "umbrella" of BC over the lump.
I agree with KBee. Call your MO and your BS right now and ask for an immediate appointment for a skin punch biopsy. Sorry for this new concern.
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Thank you for your replies - I called today and got an appointment with my onc for Feb. 23. I will ask for him to schedule a punch biopsy for me. My surgeon, actually the person who was most on top of the chest-wall recurrence 9 years ago, just retired
I appreciate you all taking time to respond. None of us want to be here - I hope you all are doing well.
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