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Radial Scar

I was diagnosed in 2005 with triple negative stage 3 invasive ductal carcinoma. I had a lumpectomy, 18 chemo and 33 radiation treatments.  I have been cancer free since 2006.  My last three mammograms have shown a radial scar close to where the malignancy was.  The radiologist and a general surgeon feel that since the scar has basically been stable for a year and since I have already had chemo and radiation for breast cancer in that area that I don't have anything to worry about and to just follow up with my regular mammogram schedule next year.  My primary care doctor isn't so convinced that I should wait that long.  She is referring me to a "breast surgeon oncologist" for a second opinion.  Since I have already had a lumpectomy, chemo and radiation are my chances of a recurrence after this long even a concern? Any thoughts on this would be appreciated.  The specialist I am being referred to is over 500 miles away!
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25201 tn?1255580836
The wide open spaces of the West ... LOL  That's a shame it's so far but I would make the effort especially since you haven't had Mammograms yearly and the type of surgery you chose and the opinion of your Primary Care Physician. Please when you do go and get some results let us know by adding a comment to this original post. In the meantime positive thoughts and wishes are with you from us here at Med. Help.  Regards ...
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Avatar universal
I live in Montana and there is ONE breast specialist in the State (and of coarse on the other side of the State!!).  We have lots of oncologists that are closer (270 miles), but only the one breast specialist.  My regular surgeon did the lumpectomy (which I chose over a mastectomy).  I seen an oncologist/hematologist
for several years but haven't seen him for over two years and just having mammograms. (3 within the last year).
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25201 tn?1255580836
First I must say that having been diagnosed with triple negative / stage 3 that you only had a lumpectomy. Putting that aside I must tell you that there is ALWAYS a chance of recurrence, no matter what the treatment and I mean even if you had  bi-lateral mastectomies as well as how long it has been after you initial diagnosis and treatment. By all means see the Breast Specialist no matter how far away. I'm curious about where you live that there isn't a Breast Specialist and/or Oncologist nearer to your location. This also brings up another question; who prescribed your treatment post-surgery in 2005 ? Sorry if I seem to be asking more questions than giving answers but we are interested in details here :) Still I will say .... SEE THE SPECIALIST as advised..  Kindest regards ....
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