Are breast lumps normal after a reduction?

Hi, I had a breast reduction in Dec 08 and all went perfectly apart from some slight delayed healing. The scarring I've been left with is minimal and both breasts are perfect. However, I have noticed 2 lumps close to my right nipple (no where near the delayed healing site) and they're both under or close to the scar right around the nipple. I have been to the doctor who has referred me to the breast clinic but I have to wait 2 weeks and needed some sort of reassurance before then.

[Howard Rosenberg, MD]

Lumps following breast reduction are quite common and the result of either scar tissue formation in the healing process, reaction to deep sutures, or areas of fat necrosis.  Assuming your surgeon had the removed breast tissue examined pathologically (which should have been performed) you would have had a report on any abnormal pathology identified from the procedure.  If this report showed normal tissue, your risks for an abnormality to appear seem quite small.  Any lumps should not be ignored, however, and an examination and a mammogram would be appropriate.  This will further confirm that the lumps are not worrisome.

[lyza73]

hi i had a breast reduction jan 2009 and i have also found a lump in the scar tissue under the right breast my doctor has refered me 2 the breast clinic also and im waiting for an appointment so i can sympathize with u its so frustrating  and worring while we wait! i have talked 2 a few people who have had reductions and lumps do not seem 2 b that unusual! most of them are just hard fat cells that form after the tissue has healed! fingers crossed that all will b well with us!

[wkd4eva]

An update to my last comment... I went to the breast clinic and ended up have several needle biopsies taken as the doctor wasn't confident enough to say what the lumps were! So now I have to wait another week for the results of that!

[lyza73]

i also have been 2 hospital and had a needle biopsy since my last post and like u i am now waiting for another wk for results, d doctor  felt it was benign because of my op so i feel more hopeful but still very anxious with the wait 4 results! the best of luck with your results.  

[wkd4eva]

Hello again

I got my results last night and I'm all clear!!!!  They said it's necrosis which is scar tissue so I'm over the moon.. I've walked on cloud 9 all day!!

I hope you have good news soon! Please let me know