Isolated skin recurrence after mastectomy

Jacfin, do you mean skin metastasis (Stage IV) or a localized recurrence against the skin?

I don't know how common the first is, but the second is quite common. Approx. 1%-2% of patients who have a MX have a localized recurrence (higher risk for those with close margins) and those recurrences almost always are against the chest wall or against the skin or in the scar line.

Jacfin, I really don't know how "100% skin involvement no breast tissue involvement" would be defined - to my understanding a localized recurrence would usually include some breast tissue cells, but I'm way out of my league here.

But as for the 1%-2%, while it's a small percentage, it's a lot of people. You'll find many here, including many who had recurrence at the skin or in the scar line:
Topic: Recurrence after bilat mastectomy? https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/88/topics/727538

I had this happen as well. Mine also in muscle tissue. After surgery to remove skin and muscle I went through radiation therapy and 5 years later no issues.

Mine was close to my primary tumor so they considered it an isolated local recurrence not stage 4. I had multifocal initially 4 tumors right breast

I had nodules come up on my scar line twice. First time while I was on Xeloda. Ended up having a surgical biospy which took the three nodule. Then had another Nodule appeared. My MO diagnosed me as Stage IV. I got a second opinion with a view to chest wall resection. The MO and surgical oncologist discussed IV versus regional recurrence. They agreed its semantics. And that I required further systemic treatment because at this point the cancer is spreading via the lymphatic system. From there I had a PET which showed Mets throughout the chest (ribs, Mediastinal Nodes). My fourth line of treatment was THC and I am now NEAD.

Good luck!

This happened to me. I had a local recurrence in the skin only, after a skin sparing mastectomy. I would not exactly say it is rare, but maybe not common either. There are several of us on these boards who have had this.

My recurrence in the skin was three years ago for me. What I learned, is that the problem with a local recurrence in the skin is that can spread quickly, and become out of control. It is very dangerous for this reason. ("Skin metastasis" can be local only, but is also seen in people who have distant metastatic disease - these are two very different situations from a treatment perspective though.)

Not all doctors and cancer centers are adequately equipped to deal with a local recurrence in the skin. If you need to consult with another team at another center, don't hesitate.

Treatment-wise, some people have a large "lumpectomy" on their mastectomy. I had more involvement, and had a chest wall resection and a skin graft. It was rough, but the cancer has not returned in my skin again. Radiation, and a change in hormone therapy may also be on the table.

Feel free to PM me if you want to. I'm sorry you're in this situation.

I had 2 local recurrences after BMX... occurred at the same time in 2 different places. Neither had breast tissue; both were under the skin between the muscle/soft tissue and the skin.

Can anyone describe what your skin looked like when you found out it had gone to your skin? I'm waiting on an appointment to have mine seen, and I just need more info if anyone would be willing to share. ❤

Hi! I wanted to post because I have been dealing with something similar and I don’t find many people in my situation. I underwent. I have tumor cell seeding from my original biopsy that appeared on my skin one year later following my bilateral mastectomy. It’s not in the chest wall or near a scar but almost in the exact location where the original biopsy would have been performed, so my margins from surgery were great, these were just outside my margins given the seeding. I’m still lymph node negative as well like I was last year.

I have been searching all over the internet trying to find information on seeding and shared experiences but it is so rare. Thank you for starting this thread!