Small firm lumps after bilateral MX/ reconstruction

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Romay
Romay Member Posts: 4
edited April 2020 in DCIS (Ductal Carcinoma In Situ)

Hi friends,

I’m 14 months post double MX for DCIS in my left breast. I have had several complications along the way including skin necrosis on one breast then MRSA in the other. Tissue expanders put in, taken out, then back in again. 4 months ago I finally had the exchange with implant. Several months ago I discovered 3 small little pea (or smaller) firm lumps in my left breast. I called my doctor and she said it was likely fat necrosis, which is like scarring, since it would be highly unlikely to have a recurrence a year out from MX for DCIS and it wouldn’t present as 3 lumps. I’m so traumatized by all my poking and prodding I didn’t make an appointment to make sure. Well now I’m feeling anxious about it again but they are only taking urgent cases given the Covid situation.

Has anyone had this? Should I chill out or be concerned? I think I have PTSD so feeling the little lumps has me so anxious.

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  • christiekoe
    christiekoe Member Posts: 16
    edited March 2020

    I have three tiny lumps along the scar on my non cancerous side. My doctor wasn’t overly concerned but wanted an ultrasound to to be sure. The ultrasound showed them as scar tissue maybe from the fat grafting. The radiography doctor told me they are more common than not and that I should just come back in 6 months to be rechecked. They just watch everything very closely. On my cancerous side, I also had some complications with the fat grafting initially after it was done during my exchange surgery. My plastic doctor believes it’s because that side had been radiated. He put me on antibiotics and it eventually healed. That side is tighter and slightly smaller than the other. 🙁

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  • LAstar
    LAstar Member Posts: 1,574
    edited March 2020

    Nearly everyone in my MX & reconstruction cohort had oil cysts at about 1 year out. They were small, pea-sized or less, and seemed to resolve with a litle massage or just went away on their own after a few months. Anyone who has any injury to the breast can get oil cysts. I also had post-op swelling and ultimately necrosis. The necrosis would get sore after massage and never got smaller after massage like the swelling did. Hope this helps.

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  • Rrobin0200
    Rrobin0200 Member Posts: 433
    edited March 2020

    I’ve had these concerning lumps as well... they’re very alarming and I always run to my doctor. She’s assured me they are just scar tissue from the surgeries. We’ve done ultrasounds to be safe... but they’ve thankfully beenjust scar tissue. I’m sure yours are the same as well. To put your mind at ease and to be proactive, maybe mention this to your doctor and see what he/she says. Best of luck.

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  • LillyIsHere
    LillyIsHere Member Posts: 830
    edited April 2020

    LAstar, what are oil cysts? I assume the one I have maybe an oil cyst. How do they feel, where are located in your case?

    Thank you for sharing your experience.

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