Lump after bilateral mastectomy

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Tamiami
Tamiami Member Posts: 396
edited February 2017 in Not Diagnosed With a Recurrence or Metastases but Concerned
Hi ladies. Here comes another lump question. I had DCIS and LCIS in my left breast with an unbelievably strong family history of cancer. I opted for bilateral mastectomy and at first had implants and then after multiple infections had to have them removed and wait a year to have SGAP reconstruction in January of 2015. I just had my 5th and last "stage 2" at the end of August. A few days ago I felt a lump. Saw the medical oncologist today and she found it immediately. It is very tender, and is on my chest wall in the axillary area on the prophylactic side. Ultrasound is tomorrow morning. I'm hoping for fat necrosis of course, but the location and tenderness have me worried. Can anyone tell me about their experiences with this?
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  • vlnrph
    vlnrph Member Posts: 1,632
    edited February 2017

    Hopefully you got some sleep last night! Scanxiety can often keep me awake...

    I have not had the precise experience you describe (just a stable area of fat necrosis) but it occurs to me that the lump could be a lymph node since those were probably not sampled/removed during surgery on the prophylactic side. They can enlarge due to various factors such as infection which it sounds like you had plenty of opportunity to endure. However, the tenderness and being a recent finding means it's good you're getting it checked.

    Your imaging today should help narrow down the possibilities although the best way to identify abnormal tissue is via biopsy which I'm sure you know. An MRI could also reveal pertinent info. Let us know how it goes

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  • KBeee
    KBeee Member Posts: 5,109
    edited February 2017

    Mybody likes to make scar tissue, so I have had 4 new lumps since BMX. 3 were benign and 1 was a recurrence. Hoping yours is fat necrosis or scar tissue. If they are not 100% sure, request a biopsy. Keep us posted

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  • Tamiami
    Tamiami Member Posts: 396
    edited February 2017

    Thanks ladies. Not much sleep, but headed to the ultrasound now. I'm hoping they can just biopsy it today. I'll check back in later.

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  • Tamiami
    Tamiami Member Posts: 396
    edited February 2017
    Well the ultrasound tech could feel the lump right away, but nothing...and I mean nothing...showed on the ultrasound. I asked if it could be scar tissue, fat necrosis, or an oil cyst, and she said no, it's all clear. I'll wait to hear from the oncologist after she gets the report. I don't understand how you can feel something so easily, but nothing shows up.
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  • KBeee
    KBeee Member Posts: 5,109
    edited February 2017

    If it persists, ask for a recheck in a few months

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  • MrsGreenJeans
    MrsGreenJeans Member Posts: 95
    edited February 2017

    Hi Tamiami,

    I am from the Detroit area also and just found a tender axillary lump on my prophylactic side.  It sounds very much like what you found.  I'm thinking it may be a lymph node and will probably contact my BS on Monday.  I also have a hardened area on my areola on the same side, which I am hoping is just fat necrosis.  My BMX was almost 15 months ago, exchange and fat grafting was last April.

    Have you received any further testing or information on your lump?  How frustrating to know it is there and yet it didn't show up on US. 

    I am praying for good news for you, and would love an update if you can.


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  • Tamiami
    Tamiami Member Posts: 396
    edited February 2017

    Hi MrsGreenJeans~

    The oncologist felt confident with the non-findings. She said to keep an eye on it and let her know if there were any changes. She said that if I was uncomfortable just watching it, I could see my BS for another opinion. So far, I've done nothing. Please keep me posted about your lump...and best wishes that it's nothing!

    Tami

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