Spiculations Near Surgical Site

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Teddy88
Teddy88 Member Posts: 102
edited August 2019 in Not Diagnosed With a Recurrence or Metastases but Concerned

Dear Friends:

I was here last year in August with a similar issue. I had a lumpectomy in 2014, and during my annual mammo last year the doctors believed that a recurrence may have occurred very close to the surgical site. 3 biopsies followed, and the diagnosis was fat necrosis and scar tissue. I went back 6 months later for a look, and all seemed fine.

I went back for my annual 2018 mammo today, and the doctor sees, at the same spot, spiculations that popped up since the February check-up, and wants to do a stereo biopsy. She suggested that this was more fat necrosis but wants to make sure. She also suggests that I start MRI's in six months to keep check on all of this....

My original diagnosis was considered purely tubular. I read a paper recently that tubular can present as spiculations. My original cancer had lots of microcalcs - this one does not.

I am posting to see if anyone has been in a similar situation, and perhaps to help quell my worry that a new problem is back.

Thanks for reading and sending much love to all.

Belle xxoo

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  • wallycat
    wallycat Member Posts: 3,227
    edited August 2018

    I'm so sorry you are dealing with this.

    Not really the same as yours but I had an MRI and (stupid) radiologist insisted I was wishing for cancer since there was zero spiculation. Color her stupid when she called crying it was cancer. I know the "professionals" have guidelines on determining what is worrisome, but they can't know till it's in a dish and examined.

    Hope you just have more fat necrosis.

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  • pajim
    pajim Member Posts: 2,785
    edited August 2018

    Belle, I have zero idea about this and hopefully someone will come along who does, but in the meantime I'm proud of your doctor. She's staying on tp of things for you and taking ambiguous findings seriously.


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  • Teddy88
    Teddy88 Member Posts: 102
    edited August 2018

    Thank you, so much, Pajim and Wally Cat! Wally Cat, same thing happened to me first round - doctor said not to worry and bam - called me crying! I am so sorry you had that experience, and you are right - let's get it checked!

    Pajim, you have given me a great way to see my doctors, and I appreciate that very much!

    Keep you posted.

    Love,

    Belle xxoo

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

    Glad your doc is being cautious. Hoping for benign. Let us know

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  • Teddy88
    Teddy88 Member Posts: 102
    edited August 2018

    Thank you, so much Karen. Will do!

    Love,

    Belle xxoo

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  • Teddy88
    Teddy88 Member Posts: 102
    edited August 2018

    Hello Again - For anyone in a similar situation re: fat necrosis and reading the boards, the biopsy referenced in my initial post turned out to be benign and the same diagnosis as last year. MRI recommended on both sides in six months, and annual mammo and sonogram in one year. If anyone has feedback as to why the MRI in six months - would appreciate hearing from you.

    Thanks for the support, too, as always.

    Love,

    Belle xxoo

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  • grainne
    grainne Member Posts: 245
    edited August 2018

    Belle, that is great news. Very happy for you.x

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  • Teddy88
    Teddy88 Member Posts: 102
    edited August 2018

    Thank you, Grainne! Really appreciate your note!!

    Love,

    Belle xxoo

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

    Teddy, great news

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  • Teddy88
    Teddy88 Member Posts: 102
    edited August 2018

    Thanks so much, Karen!! xxoo

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  • wallycat
    wallycat Member Posts: 3,227
    edited August 2018

    Teddy!! Fantastic!!! My suspicion on the MRI is because you had lobular cancer, right? Most gals who have ILC never have it show up on a mammagram. My twin was told 6 months MRI and 6 month mammogram, so I bet that is what they are telling you as well. MRI would pick up ILC more often and mammograms would pick up any other type of new primary.


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  • Teddy88
    Teddy88 Member Posts: 102
    edited August 2018

    Thank you so much, Wallycat! Greatly appreciate your reply so much :)

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  • Teddy88
    Teddy88 Member Posts: 102
    edited July 2019

    Hello Everyone: This will be my third summer (annual test time) of call-backs, extra testing and biopsies. I had an MRI today, and my doctor wants an ultrasound of the breast in which I had cancer. There is a brand new spot of concern. Small but its there. I am going for an ultrasound and then possibly another biopsy. For those who decided - enough is enough - what caused you to finally do a mastectomy provided you had the option to keep your breast? My mind is jumping ahead to next steps.This “living on the edge” is causing way too much anxiety to be healthy (oh the irony!) If this should be posted elsewhere, apologies and just let me know where to share it. Sending love and thanks for listening! Love, Belle xx

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  • wallycat
    wallycat Member Posts: 3,227
    edited July 2019

    Teddy, I'm so sorry about the worry and possible do-over of this journey.

    I decided from the outset to get a bmx. I'm a worrier and started getting scanxiety/doc/hospital stress and did not want to do MRIs and mammograms 2xyear. I also did not want to do radiation. For me personally, the bmx made the most sense.

    I'm hopeful you will get good news. They were convinced my mri was b-9 (no spiculation) but they were wrong. I hope yours is the opposite, no cancer even if "they" think it may be.

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  • Teddy88
    Teddy88 Member Posts: 102
    edited July 2019

    Thanks so much for your kindness, Wallycat! It's like standing on the edge of an icy cliff each year being scared out of my mind. It may be time to get down from the cliff, so to speak☺️Keep you posted. xx Love, Belle

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

    When is the next test? These tests are always so stressful. Hoping it is benign.


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  • Teddy88
    Teddy88 Member Posts: 102
    edited August 2019

    Hi Kbee! Thanks for always being so kind. I was sent for ultrasound, and they kept me for mammogram and additional sonogram on other side. Radiologist said that all looked okay - but to come back in six months for another MRI. No complaints but those hours sitting and waiting in the hospital have to be the longest moments of our lives. Again, thanks for being so kind as it’s deeply appreciated. xx Love, Belle
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  • KBeee
    KBeee Member Posts: 5,109
    edited August 2019

    I am glad all looked clear on imaging!

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  • Teddy88
    Teddy88 Member Posts: 102
    edited August 2019

    Thanks so much for always being so kind, Kbee xx Much love - Belle x

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