​Cancer can reoccur in a mastectomy scar?!?

Anonymous
Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
edited August 2019 in Surgery - Before, During, and After

My sister recently had a double mastectomy. Forgive my ignorance but I was taken aback to read that you can get a recurrence in a mastectomy SCAR!

What is the likelihood for someone who is triple-negative (+ BRCA1 gene mutation) and can't take any medication like Arimidex or tamoxifen to get cancer in a mastectomy scar? How often do they need tests to determine if there has been a recurrence?

Thank you!

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Comments

  • Beesie
    Beesie Member Posts: 12,240
    edited August 2019

    Yes, cancer can recur after a MX, against the chest wall, against the skin or in the scar line. The risk of recurrence after a MX is in the range of 1% - 2%. I know the risk is higher if there are close surgical margins but I'm not aware of the risk being higher for triple negative or those who are BRCA+. Someone else might chime in with more information on that.

    In addition, there is also the risk of a new primary breast cancer, which can develop in the tiny bits of breast tissue that remain after a MX. This risk is also on average about 1% - 2% but will be higher for someone who is BRCA positive - in the range of around 5%, I believe, but again someone can correct me on that if I'm wrong.

    No tests are done. A scar line or skin recurrence will show up as a tiny nodule that is quite noticeable, so long as the patient does breast self exams. Same with a chest wall recurrence for those who have sub-pectoral implants, which push the chest wall up against the skin.

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  • movingsoccermom
    movingsoccermom Member Posts: 225
    edited August 2019

    I am unable to take AI's or Tamoxifen and mine recurred in my lumpectomy scar. Literally only in the scar. Sadly, then I found out the initial cancer had spread to several chest lymph nodes (none in the axillary). Ugh. However, there are lots of folks for whom there are no recurrences-I am the only one in my family, with 6 of us having breast cancer. Vigilance is key. And keep track of fatigue. Exceptional fatigue was my only symptom prior to the recurrence.

    Best of luck to your sister!

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited August 2019

    movingsoccermom, I'm sad to learn of you recurrence and appreciate that you've shared your personal journey.

    Thanks also to Beesie for the helpful information!

    Don't know for sure but I don't think my sister was even told about this and the need for breast self-exams? Heck, they didn't even tell her about lymphedema. I was given lymphedema education after my lumpectomy and told her.

    What layman thinks of breast self-exams when you no longer have any?

    Should I tell her about this or wait to see if her surgeon and/or oncologist tell her when she sees them in six months?

    My sister has been so very positive about all she's been through (lumpectomy, re-excision lumpectomy, chemo, double mastectomy, salpingo-oophorectomy). She's an inspiration!

    I'm the one that's been falling apart worrying about her ordeal. I don't want to burst any bubbles if it's of no value that I tell her.

    Thanks again!

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  • Spookiesmom
    Spookiesmom Member Posts: 9,568
    edited August 2019

    The day my original RO discharged me, he ran his finger over the scar, and said if it’s going to come back, it will be here. That was 7 years ago, and he was wrong. Came back in the other side axilla

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  • TB90
    TB90 Member Posts: 992
    edited August 2019

    This may sound extreme, but I get mammograms on my mx. And I did not have reconstruction. It is no more painful or uncomfortable than the mastectomy on my remaining breast. The area they test is my left upper towards armpit side. Where I had a positive margin post mx. I did also have radiation. I spoke with my RO and although he stated it is unusual, he agreed that it could be beneficial. If I have a recurrence where I had a positive margin, I would like to find it before it is palpable. Once palpable, likely invasive. Hoping a recurrence would show up as calcifications and still DCIS. The technicians don’t even bat an eye as men receive mammograms also. I am thin, but that area is a bit fleshy. Just gives me a little peace of mind.

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  • WC3
    WC3 Member Posts: 1,540
    edited August 2019

    My dog actually had a type of cancer in one of her mammary glands called spindle cell carcinoma, and she had a recurrence on the scar immediately. I thought it was just keloid scar tissue forming, but nope.

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