Giant Axillary Growth

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Diaval
Diaval Member Posts: 15
edited March 2019 in Just Diagnosed With a Recurrence or Metastasis

I'm four months out of treatment (mastectomy, AC and taxotere, proton beam radiation therapy, tamoxifen) for Stage IIIA/Grade 2 at the third best cancer treatment center in the country. 19 out of 42 nodes were positive, and everyone was amazed it hadn't spread. At least not as that time. I was left with a "glob" under and slightly posterior to my armpit even though a plastic surgeon opened and closed. Three weeks ago I saw my oncologist and everything looked okay, but the follow-up mammogram had to be rescheduled due to bad weather. Since then, the glob has grown to the size of a pound of ground beef. No pain. Skin looks healthy. No lumps similar to the original tumor which was like a rock. Soft. Rubbery. Feels fluidic in places. I thought lymphedema and sent a photo to my OT who said see the doctor. Now I have a sonogram ordered along with the mammogram. This doesn't feel like what I would expect from a regional recurrence. I've read about fat necrosis. This is exactly like having another boob sprouting out of my armpit. I told the oncologist via portal that it is big enough to qualify for its own mammogram. Has anyone else experienced this... and how did it turn out? Blessings.

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  • KBeee
    KBeee Member Posts: 5,109
    edited March 2019

    I have not, but would suggest they get it examined quickly. Whether it is cancer, infection, or something else, anything changing size that quickly needs fast attention. Do keep us posted. Did they use the proton beam radiation to radiate the axilla too?

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  • Diaval
    Diaval Member Posts: 15
    edited March 2019

    Yes, they did proton beam the axilla, and I already have an appointment. Thanks for responsding KBeee. I'm from Iowa, too, and had to cancel my trip to the clinic in the north for diagnostics due to the infernal snow. Blessings.

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  • KBeee
    KBeee Member Posts: 5,109
    edited March 2019

    I'm glad you have an appointment. Hoping they get you in quickly so you get answers. Hoping it is just a big seroma that they can drain.


    I am soooooooooooo done with the Iowa snow, ice, and just winter in general.

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  • Diaval
    Diaval Member Posts: 15
    edited March 2019

    Thanks KBeee. Went to my GP today to have "the blob" measured to see if it grows by the time I see the oncologist next week. It's 10 5/8 inches from axilla to the lower margin and 11 inches longitudinally. Doc thinks it weighs about three lbs. He cannot feel anything similar to the original tumor and neither can the nurse, my husband, my adult kids, and all the neighbors (joking about the neighbors :-). And, weird as this sounds, it appears to be trying to sprout a nipple. I should post a photo. It's more than a little unnerving, but at the same time I'd like to shove it around to the front for a homegrown breast reconstruction. When I can distance myself enough emotionally, which isn't easy as I have an adult child who is disabled and still needs me for a few more years, it's a object for great curiosity. Blessings.

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  • KBeee
    KBeee Member Posts: 5,109
    edited March 2019

    Do an online search of seroma and look at images to see if that's what it looks like. If so, they can drain it. Perhaps you can see MO sooner. The breast surgeon may need to be the one to drain it, so you might want to call him/her too.

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  • sbelizabeth
    sbelizabeth Member Posts: 2,889
    edited March 2019

    Dlaval...I know you're beside yourself with concern, but your posts made me laugh. Your descriptions are so great! About to sprout a nipple! Well, it WOULD be a great home-grown reconstruction. Just slightly the wrong address.

    When you said fluidic, I immediately thought of a seroma like KBeee. I've had many throughout treatment and they really sloshed. Never one this big or boob-like though.

    Gentle hugs, and keep us posted. SB

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  • Diaval
    Diaval Member Posts: 15
    edited March 2019

    It does have a lot of resemblance to a seroma... thank you, KBeee! Blessings.

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  • Diaval
    Diaval Member Posts: 15
    edited March 2019

    :-) Laughter is one of the best medicines. And I laugh, too, whenever I can possibly find a reason!

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  • Diaval
    Diaval Member Posts: 15
    edited March 2019

    Yesterday I was seen by three doctors, a physical therapist and a sonographer. The giant axillary mass is lymphedema. No metastatic cancer. Now I get to wear a compression bra with an extra compression pad tucked in right over the swelling. Then a wide elastic bandage is wrapped over all of this.... and we are talking TIGHT! Really really right. Plus a compression sleeve and gauntlet which is also wrapped over with an elastic bandage... really really tight.. This actually feels better than it sounds. There's no way to drain this because the fluid is diffused in the tissue. I have gone from Mommy to Mummy. Blessings.

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  • santabarbarian
    santabarbarian Member Posts: 3,085
    edited March 2019

    This is no fun but so happy it was not a recurrence!

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  • AliceBastable
    AliceBastable Member Posts: 3,461
    edited March 2019

    DIaval, you have such a great attitude and sense of humor!

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  • sbelizabeth
    sbelizabeth Member Posts: 2,889
    edited March 2019

    Well, no mets and no recurrence is severe good news! Lymphedema is NOT good news, but it's manageable.

    I had truncal LE after my uni mastectomy and went through the same thing, finding a compression system I could wear. My LE therapist recommended a thingy called a "solaris swell spot" that put pressure on the specific area and helped a lot.

    Oddly enough, my truncal LE disappeared after my DIEP recon. Go figure. SB


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  • KBeee
    KBeee Member Posts: 5,109
    edited March 2019

    Lymphedema sucks, but so glad it is not more cancer!

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