Skin thickening after mastectomy...

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IrishEyes39
IrishEyes39 Member Posts: 47
edited March 2018 in Not Diagnosed With a Recurrence or Metastases but Concerned

HI all,

I was posting about this is another thread, but figured I may get more answers here.

I have a lump - palpable and visible - on my breast cancer side, near (but not on) the mastectomy scar. My oncologist called it skin thickening, or nodularity. It is sometimes more pink than the surrounding skin, but is not inflamed or anything like that. No pain or itching or anything. Maybe the size of half a thumb and irregular in shape. It is firm, maybe rubbery, very obvious. Feels connected, like it is connecting my skin to whatever is below it.

I had an ultrasound this morning.

The radiologist saw something, said he had no idea what it was - but that it was not scar tissue and it *could not be* breast cancer because I have only skin showing there and no breast tissue. He did mention something about the palpable mass being near a ridge. I was at first relieved, until I started thinking about his comments after I left.

My findings were BIRADS 2 with the comment that no further imaging is necessary until my planned MRI in one year.
I don't see oncologist again until September.

Wondering what I should do.

The lump developed sometime in the last 6 months and has grown since i first noticed it.

So, my questions are:

Could it be a recurrence in the skin and not look obviously like cancer on an US?

Can you have a recurrence in an area where no breast tissue appears to be on the US?

Should I insist on an MRI now? Would that even be more helpful? I would prefer to avoid a biopsy if at all possible, but I also don't want to leave this thing (that has grown) for a year.

I had IDC, extensive DCIS (largest 3cm), LCIS, and other random things before they chopped the dodgy thing off.

Thanks in advance.

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  • Denise-G
    Denise-G Member Posts: 1,777
    edited March 2018

    Gosh, this would make me uncomfortable as well. I think if it were me I would have the MRI now and/or get a second opinion.

    Eight months after my mastectomy during radiation a lump suddenly appeared but it was directly on my mastectomy scar but it sounded a lot what you described. Neither the radiologist or oncologist were sure if it was scar tissue or not because it was rather "odd" they said. They said they would watch it. They did watch it and they still do. But it is 5.5 years later - it is still there and they all say it was scar tissue. It creeps me out to feel it. It has stayed the same size.

    I was always worried that it was skin mets. I understand your concern.

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  • KBeee
    KBeee Member Posts: 5,109
    edited March 2018

    I would ask that the images be sent for a second opinion if you have concerns.

    I do have areas of scar tissue that are fingerlike and irregular and they do get bigger over time. Totally stressful.

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  • IrishEyes39
    IrishEyes39 Member Posts: 47
    edited March 2018

    Update: I talked to my oncologist who said I can either monitor for 6 months (and act sooner, I guess, if it continues growing?) or schedule a biopsy. She does not think my insurance will cover an MRI and also thinks the likelihood the MRI will give a definitive answer is low.

    Where would I send the images for a second opinion?

    My first choice would be additional imaging to maybe get an answer or at least a second confirmation that it is not likely to be cancer. Of course, just the idea of an unknown THING growing in me... one that I can see and feel daily... is not fun.

    My second choice is monitoring, because I really really don't want to be cut again.

    Thanks for your support everyone!

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  • buttonsmachine
    buttonsmachine Member Posts: 930
    edited March 2018

    Hi Irisheyes, I can only offer my experience as answers to your questions:

    "Could it be a recurrence in the skin and not look obviously like cancer on an US?" Yes - my recurrence in the skin appeared smooth on the ultrasound while we monitored it for several months. It eventually started to grow rapidly, at which point we biopsied it and confirmed cancer.

    "Can you have a recurrence in an area where no breast tissue appears to be on the US?" Yes - that is exactly where my recurrence was. It was in the fat/skin layer that was superficial to the breast tissue, and a couple inches from my scar. I have skin mets now, but they are still confined to the local area and can hopefully be dealt with.

    I hope your lump is completely benign - and the most likely scenario is that it is! I certainly don't want to scare you, but if my experience can prevent this from happening to you (or anyone else reading this) then maybe my crappy situation can be of some value to others. Best wishes to you and keep us posted.

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