New lump 3 years out...

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Kayla250
Kayla250 Member Posts: 201
edited March 2017 in Not Diagnosed With a Recurrence or Metastases but Concerned

hello, sorry if this is the wrong place. Having a hard figure out where to post :)

Diagnosed mid 2013, lumpectomy then chemo treatment ended March 2014 and I'm taking anastrozole since. Found a new lump on last follow up mammo, ultrasound confirming suspicious, wider than tall, shadowing and one more thing I can't remember. Radiologist report states unable to rule out reoccurrence, biopsy recommended.

Has anyone had this report and it turned out to be nothing. I am so preoccupied with this and am restarting the waiting game. Waiting for the surgeon's office to call. Thank you for any replies.

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  • Meow13
    Meow13 Member Posts: 4,859
    edited January 2017

    I had a mass on my last MRI, they thought from the beginning it was fat necrosis. It was confirmed after biopsy. I had my mammogram months later and they noticed encapsulation around a surgery scar tissue from my DIEP.

    I find that they, the radiologists, are pretty good at telling when it is indeed cancer.

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  • Kayla250
    Kayla250 Member Posts: 201
    edited January 2017

    thank you meow13 for your reply. I'm a little confused tho'. Are you saying that your mass was not cancer but necrosis and scar tissue. Sorry for my ignorance


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  • Meow13
    Meow13 Member Posts: 4,859
    edited January 2017

    yes it was just fat necrosis I am not sure why she called it a mass. I saw the mammogram of the area I didnt see a mass. What I saw, side by side with previous mammogram was a shrinking of the round scar tissue. It looked more compressed.

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  • Kayla250
    Kayla250 Member Posts: 201
    edited January 2017

    oh thanks so much . The more good outcomes from a new lump I hearthe better I feel. This waiting between appointments is so stressful. Thanks again!!

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  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited January 2017

    Kayla250 wishing for a benign outcome!!! We're with you, and understand how difficult the waiting game is!


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

    Hoping it turns out benign. Scar tissue can look just like a recurrence on imaging. Keep us posted.

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  • Kayla250
    Kayla250 Member Posts: 201
    edited February 2017

    hello again all. I finally had my biopsy today. The radiologist who completed the ultrasound report was off, so another radiologist performed the procedure. He said that he is less concerned than the other guy because he has seen many scars look this way. He pointed to the known lumpectomy scar (quite straight and tubular) and then to the new area, which branched out, exactly like a malignant lump would look, but I guess surgeons dig around sometimes and can make dual scars. He, however, did take several samples. He then as directed by the surgeon performed a biopsy on an enlarged lymph node. Now this leaves me with yet another question:

    Are lymph nodes hard to biopsy? He took 5 attempts at getting a sample, it seemed to push out of the way each time. He first tried a fine needle but had to do a core biopsy, he believes he finally got a sample but not really sure? Has anyone had this same experience? If so, how did it turn out? I even thought it weird that they would do a lymph node biopsy at this stage, when recurrence isn't even diagnosed? Although it was a lighthearted atmosphere, I still have questions and anxieties. Results may take another 2 weeks. Any input would be appreciated

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  • micruble
    micruble Member Posts: 13
    edited February 2017

    I hope you get good results from your biopsy... I have a similar worry and am scheduled for an ultrasound on Tuesday. It is hard not to obsess over the "what ifs"

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  • Kayla250
    Kayla250 Member Posts: 201
    edited February 2017

    thank you micruble, hope your ultrasound determines it to be benign. My ultrasound was the procedure that flagged the area; I then had a referral to the surgeon who then requested a biopsy of the mass and a suspicious lymph node. The wait was excruciating, I hope you are able to get the biopsy in the same ultrasound appointment. Let me know how it goes, I'll be thinking of you on Tuesday!

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  • Hopeful82014
    Hopeful82014 Member Posts: 3,480
    edited February 2017

    Kayla, so sorry you had such a rough time with the node biopsy. Neither of the two node bx I had seemed particularly challenging to the radiologists but perhaps yours was hard to access or something. It still seems like a lot... I hope you get good news and soon!

    Micruble - good luck to you on Tuesday. Try to give yourself some fun this weekend, if possible.

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

    Hoping all comes back benign. Nodes can roll from biopsy needle just like veins can roll from IV. Not surprised they biopsied both; recurrence can happen either place. They are being thorough. Hoping it is benign

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  • Kayla250
    Kayla250 Member Posts: 201
    edited February 2017

    OMG! I'm sorry to go on and on about this. But I really don't have anywhere else to go. My hubby (best in the world btw) but I just can't burden him anymore with this and as far as friends go, well, they love me and would understand, but I just don't want to look like a hypochondriac if this turns out to be nothing.

    Why is this so much HARDERthis time! I don't remember the wait for biopsy results being this unbearable! I feel like I am truly going crazy!!! What if it's nothing I have literally wasted a month of my life!!!

    Sorry.....I just need that out of my brain

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  • MinusTwo
    MinusTwo Member Posts: 16,634
    edited February 2017

    Kayla - so was your final biopsy on 2/17? That's a week ago today. When did the doc say you'd get results? Go ahead and set up an appointment then you'll feel you've made a proactive goal.

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  • Kayla250
    Kayla250 Member Posts: 201
    edited February 2017

    minus-two - yes, it was the 17th. I had a scheduled appointment for march 2nd but the surgeon's office called to reschedule for the 7th, I said I can't wait an extra week, can the Dr or RN please call me with results asap and regardless malignant or benign...which she said they would...so, I wait...

    I wish we could all skip this step.


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  • Jojo0529
    Jojo0529 Member Posts: 193
    edited February 2017

    I think the Dr. rescheduling is a good sign! Hoping for b9 results

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  • Kayla250
    Kayla250 Member Posts: 201
    edited February 2017

    thanks Jojo!!!!

    That's soundsgreat!!!

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  • Kayla250
    Kayla250 Member Posts: 201
    edited March 2017

    hi to all, just a quick update. I had my doctor's appointment this morning. It has turned out to be a recurrence, so unfortunately I guess I'll need to check out the other forum. The ball has already been put in motion for the upcoming surgery.

    If anyone reads this, and is curious about process, tests and timeline, feel free to ask. I will keep this posted as a."favourite".

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

    I'm sorry you're facing a recurrence. Hoping it is local and you have a plan in place soon.

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  • Lovinggrouches
    Lovinggrouches Member Posts: 530
    edited March 2017

    I will be praying for you Kayla!! HUGS😘

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  • Hopeful82014
    Hopeful82014 Member Posts: 3,480
    edited March 2017

    Kayla, I'm so sorry about your recurrence. I know you've had a long wait for biopsy and results and I know we all hoped you would at least get good news after going through the agony of waiting (again). Words fail me, but my thoughts are with you.

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  • Kayla250
    Kayla250 Member Posts: 201
    edited March 2017

    Kbeee, Loving and Hopeful - thank you for your thoughts and prayers.

    It is strange that I have a feeling of relief today. The waiting truly drove me crazy and now I feel free.

    I guess because we know what comes next, is not a mystery, we can now plan and move forward. Thank you again.

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  • ChiSandy
    ChiSandy Member Posts: 12,133
    edited March 2017

    Kayla, is it a recurrence or a new primary tumor? Hope it’s got a more favorable “signature” this time. Hugs!

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  • Kayla250
    Kayla250 Member Posts: 201
    edited March 2017

    aaah thank you ChiSandy, It is a recurrence, per the Microscopic Description on the pathology report. It is Grade 2 but additional immunostains are pending (truthfully don't know what that means), but I have to assume they are the ER/PR receptors, HER2etc. as that info is not showing.

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

    Hoping you get info and a plan in place soon. It's frustrating when you feel like you're spinning your wheels and want a plan implemented.

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  • micruble
    micruble Member Posts: 13
    edited March 2017

    Kayla,

    I am so sorry that you are having to go through this again. It is good that you have a treatment plan underway. I hope that all goes well and that soon you can put this behind you again.

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