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Breast Cancer (Expert Forum)
recurrence rate?
Questions posted in the Breast Cancer Forum are answered by medical professionals from The Cleveland Clinic. Topics include Breast Biopsy, Chemotherapy, Hormone Therapy, Lumps, Lumpectomy, Lymph node dissection, Lymphedema, Mammograms, Mastectomy, Radiation Therapy, Reconstruction, Self Breast Exam, and Surgery.
recurrence rate?
by RLA13, Mar 28, 2004 12:00AM
Hi,
Thank you for this forum.
I had a mastectomy, stage 2A, no nodes involved, clear margins and FEC chemo, completed last year. What is the recurrence rate in the mastectomy area? How does a lump present and how could one tell from scar tissue, necrosis or possibly a enlarged nerve? I have a bulging area near a rib. The area feels like a lump if I lie down, however can be flattened out if I press on it. It moves all over and cannot get a grip on it. My surgeon said he felt it was nothing, has checked it twice. Sometime when I check it and squish it, it seems to affect a nerve under my auxillary area? Any thoughts? It hasn't changed in 6 months since I felt it, but it is a bit concerning somedays. thanks....
RLA
Thank you for this forum.
I had a mastectomy, stage 2A, no nodes involved, clear margins and FEC chemo, completed last year. What is the recurrence rate in the mastectomy area? How does a lump present and how could one tell from scar tissue, necrosis or possibly a enlarged nerve? I have a bulging area near a rib. The area feels like a lump if I lie down, however can be flattened out if I press on it. It moves all over and cannot get a grip on it. My surgeon said he felt it was nothing, has checked it twice. Sometime when I check it and squish it, it seems to affect a nerve under my auxillary area? Any thoughts? It hasn't changed in 6 months since I felt it, but it is a bit concerning somedays. thanks....
RLA
Doctor's Answer
by CCF-RN,MSN-rf, Mar 29, 2004 12:00AM
Dear rla13: Local recurrence is possible but not common after mastectomy, especially in early stage disease. It can present as a red lump or sore externally or a lump under the skin. It can occur on the scar line. As a rule, a cancer would increase in size or number and would probably be painless. Since this is moving around and has not grown, it is more likely that it is related to something benign. These types of lumps or bumps are not uncommon. If the lump grows or if you remain worried, this lump can be biopsied but it is unlikely that it is a recurrence.
Member Comments (2)
by surgeon, Mar 28, 2004 12:00AM
for your situation, the recurrance rate is very low. It's not uncommon to find lumps in the surgical area, and how to diagnose them depends on many things, high among them being the physical characteristics. A soft moveable lump which is stable over 6 months is extremely unlikely to be recurrance. When there's enough concern, either yours or your doctors', then some sort of sampling might be done. The simplest, and quite reliable, is a fine-needle aspiration which can be done in about 5 seconds as a simple office procedure. What you describe sounds innocent. But if you need the extra peace of mind, let your doctors know. You're the one living with it!
