Strange lump post-mastectomy

[Scerina]

Two months ago i had a simple mastectomy with sentinel node biopsy. Stage 1, no lymph involvement so no chemo or radiation. Since then, I have a hard area growing immediately under the incision. It looks like a "hot dog" under the skin. It runs the entire length of the incision, sticks out about  an inch from my chest and is more than an inch deep at its "tallest" spot. I've asked my surgeon, who says it's not uncommon to get "lumps and bumps" after mastectomy. I don't know anyone else who has had this type of "lump" and I can't find anything on the Internet about it. Can you shed some light on what this is and if it's likely to ever go away. It just seems to get bigger and is painful. Thank you so much.

[zouzi]

Hi again,
Yes, if your surgeon also advises you to do so, applying warm compresses and gently massaging the area with a mild lotion could really help.
Take care...

[Scerina]

Thanks for responding, Zouzi. My surgeon did examine the lump and believes it's collagen deposits or subcutaneous tissue growing. I feel that my body's trying to grow a new breast and is getting the wrong place and the wrong shape!  He said the entire surgical area will change dramatically in the next 10 months and that if I'm not happy with the way it looks then, I can have it "re-excised." That's not high on my list of things to do! Does anyone think I should start massaging it?

[zouzi]

Hi,
A lump, following breast surgery is either scarring or a hematoma (blood collection)and  neither are dangerous.Your Surgeon is right,telling you that this is normal,but if he/she did not examine the lump,then you should have it checked out,particularly if the lump is  increasing in size or show signs of redness or irritation that could indicate an infection.
If your surgeon,after examining you, thinks you are healing well,then try not to worry.... Eventually the hardness will soften and the lump will reabsorb.Be patient because it could take quite a while to have the lump completely gone.
Best wishes...