Lump near Surgical Scar

Question

I had a partial mastectomy with lymph node disection on my left breast in Nov. 1999.  There were 2 out of 12 positive nodes.  I had 8 rounds of chemo. and 25 radiation treatments.
My underarm was feeling like I had pulled a muscle and when I was feeling it I found a small soft lump at the end of the scar.  I was wondering if it could be a recurrance or just something else?  I just had an exam by my oncologist last week with blood work done too.  Would a recurrance show up in blood work too?

EllenJean · Answer

Than you for your information.  I did not find the lump till after the oncologist appointment.  Today I had an appointment with my radiologist oncologist.  She also felt the lump and is sending me for a Ct. Scan with contrast dye.  Would you please tell me what to expect?  Another question thatI was wondering about is when the lymph nodes are removed, do they take all of them?  Thanks,
         EllenJean

CCF-RN,MSN-JS · Answer

Dear EllenJean, The lump you are feeling could be a recurrence or it could be something else.  It would need to be further evaluated.  I wasn't sure by your comments if your oncologist had been aware of the change and examined it, if not you might want to bring it to the oncologist or your breast surgeon's attention, just to be on the safe side.  Blood work on a routine exam is usually checking your blood counts and general organ function, recurrence of breast cancer doesn't directly show up in the blood work.  Specific to the lump near the surgical scar, blood work would not determine if this was recurrence or not.

Lump near Surgical Scar

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