lumps in chest wall after mastectomy

[Caregiverp]

mom had a modified radical mastectomy in 2000
lump showed up in 08 "in the region of the scar ". just under skin line
on the chest wall
central increased  echogenicity  //no spiculation
fat necrosis/ scar /    by ultra sound at    clinic
-
in 09 ultrasounded again
scar tissue/ decreased echogenicity/stable in appearance/no new cysts or lesions

Need an opinion on the ultrasound  reflection difference? Is that a good sign?

and what kind of lumps are common after mastectomy? Multiple lumps common?

shes got several more. Really small ones.
Mom is 81

appreciate any opinion
phillip (son)

[Caregiverp]

Thanks ladies,
                  I appreciate the statistics and advice. That helps. I found the IBC site with the pictures.
                   I think we are ok. The next time we go to the clinic, i think the plan will be to ultrasound the entire  chest wall.

phillip

Moms first cancer was infiltrating lobeular carcinoma at age 70
         second was non small cell lung cancer at 75  
I hope the surgeries are over...

[katarina777]

Skin mets are considered metastatic disease, by the way, and yes, they are very small. There is an IBC website, if you google it, which shows pictures and photos of what they look like.

[katarina777]

When there is a recurrence of cancer after mastectomy, usually this happens in the first 3-5 years after surgery, lumps are more often than not found under or close to the Mastectomy scar. When there are several smaller ones, this may be a sign of skin mets. It starts with one, and then another and another and another. They may itch and then later on they stark leaking blood and other fluids.

I don't mean to scare you in any way, but just give you some facts. They are pretty rare, though, these days. Katrin

[japdip]

I think you made a very wise decision ..... these things can be followed by Ultrasound for any growth or other changes with no harm to the pt. and that's the way I would have gone under the circumstances.   Best wishes to your Mom and You.......

[Caregiverp]

We called the onc's office. They told us the only way to know for sure about the
one lump that was ultrasounded is to biopsy, but left it up to us.
They clearly are not worried about it.
The ultrasound report showed stable and probably scar tissue and decreased
echogenicity. And the US was done at the cancer clinic.
So we decided to cancel the biopsy.

Phillip

[japdip]

I don't know that any kind of lumps are "common" after mastectomy but the report seems to indicate that this may be due to scar tissue, cysts or fat necrosis. None of these are of much concern. As far as the difference in echogenicity; I don't quite understand the variation myself. You could ask that the films be reviewed by another Radiologist if this is a real concern of yours.     Regards .....