Lump in breast 10 months after two core biopsies

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queen_of_grackles
queen_of_grackles Member Posts: 6
edited May 2019 in Not Diagnosed But Worried

Brief background: Had DCIS/lumpectomy back in 2016. Last year I had two core biospies 5/18 and 6/18 on the other breast because they found a suspicious mass against my chest wall and could get to it well enough the first time.

So fast forward to today, where I am noticing a sizable lump on the side of my breast. In the same area that I had the biopsies. Curious if anyone here has had this experience. I understand swelling and lumps after a biopsy, but 10 months later? The other breast returned to normal several months after DCIS surgery, so why wouldn't a biopsy site heal just as fast? Of course, I'll schedule a mammo because I'm almost due for my annual. Just wondering if this sounds about normal for a core site to still have a lump. Thing is, I only now just noticed it in the shower. Hadn't felt this before. So I'm wondering if I just wasn't self examining well enough before or if this is a new problem. If it is something newly developed then I have a problem because it is more than a marble sized.

Not necessarily worried, but somewhat concerned. Probably nothing. Thanks!

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  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited April 2019

    Hi there, queen_of_grackles! Welcome to our community!

    Did you have a guided or stereotactic biopsy with a marker? If your surgeon used a marker during your biopsy, they will typically leave the marker behind after the procedure, and that could explain the lump you're feeling now. it's also possible that the biopsy produced scar tissue that you're feeling now. In any case, it's definitely a good idea to follow-up with a mammo just to be on the safe side, especially considering your history! Please keep us posted on your next steps!

    The Mods

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  • djmammo
    djmammo Member Posts: 2,939
    edited April 2019

    queen_of_grackles

    Have you lost any weight since those biopsies?

    Post the reports of your upcoming studies when you have them.

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  • queen_of_grackles
    queen_of_grackles Member Posts: 6
    edited April 2019

    Thank you for your replies. Good question about the marker. Yes I have titanium markers in both breasts. Last year, the target area was against the chest wall, so the titanium marker would have been placed close to there. The lump I have is more the outer side of my breast, away from the wall. So it wouldn't be the marker. When I lay two fingers along my outer breast, I can push the mass back and forth between the fingers. I'm guessing (hoping) that this is scar tissue from having the same area traumatized by two core needles.

    I did lose about ten pounds since last year, nothing too significant. Thighs slimmed down but breast size is the same.

    I'll post back when I get my results. Again, not too worried but in the back of my mind I'm sure hoping this isn't anything. Thanks again for taking time to reply.

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  • djmammo
    djmammo Member Posts: 2,939
    edited April 2019

    queen_of_grackles

    One possibility (among others) is that these represent hematomas related to the prior biopsies, more common with stereotactic biopsies than US guided ones though. There is little or no scarring on post biopsy imaging from these procedures.

    Some of the markers are embedded in a material that absorbs fluid and aid in incorporating the marker into the healing process so it stays put. Those are sometimes palpable.

    I ask about the weight loss as over the years we hav seen that after some weight loss lumps that have been present in the breast for years suddenly become palpable.

    Let us know what the imaging shows.

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

    Hoping for all good news on your imaging. Always stressful to find new lumps.

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  • queen_of_grackles
    queen_of_grackles Member Posts: 6
    edited April 2019

    Djmammo, all biopsies I've had have been stereotactic, so here's hoping these are simple hematomas and nothing more. Thank you again.

    Karen, I see you've been through a lot. Hope you're doing well today. Thank you for your thoughtful post.

    So glad I found this website!

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  • queen_of_grackles
    queen_of_grackles Member Posts: 6
    edited May 2019

    Update: May 1st mammogram shows something that concerns them on the left where I have the lump. I will get an ultrasound on Monday with a possible diagnostic mammo afterwards.

    I'll try to not think too much into this over the weekend. Whatever it is, it is. And I would think even in a worst case scenario it will be treatable and beatable, given that this was detected within a 12 month time frame. But my guess is, it's not cancer. Happy weekend, y'all.


    edit: mammogram, not biopsy

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  • djmammo
    djmammo Member Posts: 2,939
    edited May 2019

    queen_of_grackles

    Was this not an image guided biopsy?

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  • queen_of_grackles
    queen_of_grackles Member Posts: 6
    edited May 2019

    My apologies. It was a May 1st mammogram. Not thinking straight today. I'll edit that right now.

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  • queen_of_grackles
    queen_of_grackles Member Posts: 6
    edited May 2019

    Had my ultrasound this morning and was told this is a 2.5cm cyst. Apparently, they saw a very small cyst in that same area last year, and it grew over time. Completely unrelated to the core biopsies.

    So, no worries!

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

    Great news!


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