Hi there ... And just take a deep breath ... It could be so many things ... You may even have some milk ducks after loosing a baby ... You've had so much so quickly ... You've got a two week refural so hang on in there ... It just may be o.k ... I've had couple of lumps under my scar .. mamorgam and scan said calsification lumps ... So don't right your self off yet ...

Sending you a vertual hug ... Chrisie x

Ooppps did it again ... Sorry for jumping in ... X

Hello Sam 1106,

Thank you for posting a question. I am sorry to learn about your situation, it does sound like you are going through a lot.

Waiting for tests, investigations and the results is very stressful and so I think that it is relatively normal to feel  rather anxious. There is no easy way to cope with this, but some people tell us that  keeping busy and being able to talk with someone that they trust can be helpful. But until you know for sure, you are bound to worry.

Having said this, from a professional  point of view I don’t feel overly alarmed by what has happened. This is because it is unlikely to be a  secondary disease as you had  DCIS (ductal carcinoma in situ). This is when the cancer cells are contained within the milk ducts and unlike an invasive ductal breast cancer it does not spread. Also as you have had a double mastectomy another new breast cancer is unlikely, as little breast tissue would have been left behind. Finally the chest area would be a very unusual place for lymph node cancer. So on the balance of probability I think that the lump is more likely  to be due to the treatment and yes you are right, it might well be fat.  After a flap reconstruction a lump or hardness is usually a caused by fat. The fat cells can die after the reconstruction procedure. These cells calcify and form lumps.

I doubt that you have implants as usually with a DIEP reconstruction none are needed. But in very thin women who need a double reconstruction they are occasionally used (you would know if you had them). These can become hard and sometimes felt as a lump.

I hope that this reply and also hearing about Chriss’s experience helps a little at this difficult time. Do get back to us if you think it might help. If you would like to telephone our freephone number is 0808 800 4040.

Kind regards,

Jean

I read your info as I’m the same as the previous lady. I had double mx and had ductual carcinoma I mine but now have an implant. Could I get it again? As my last lump on this implant was a fatty necrosis.

please advise

Hello

From your post I was unsure whether yours was a ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) like Sam, or an invasive ductal carcinoma.  But in either case if you have had a double mastectomy the likelihood of you developing a new breast cancer is probably quite low.  When you have a double mastectomy most of the breast tissue is removed so there is much less chance  of breast cancer developing.  But do have a chat with your doctor if you are concerned.  They know about your individual circumstances more than we do so will be able to explain things to you in more detail.

Take care

Martin 

Hi Sam

i was wondering how you are doing and what was the out ome of your scare last year?

i find myself in the identical situation and am trying hard not to completely panic.

praying the large lump I just found in my reconstructed breast is just fat necrosis, but it is hard not to leap to the worst conclusion after already having had cancer!

My original cancer was in 2015, in both breasts and was invasive, 5cm Hormone and Her2 positive in left, 2cm hormone positive in right.. but right underneath my boob, nowhere near where this new lump is.

Double mastectomy and simultaneous DIEP recon was 28/11/15

I saw the lump when I just got out of the shower!

it is close to the surface in the upper right quadrant.

it is 5cm long, and about 1-2cm wide, and lumpy not smooth

Calling my Plastic Surgeon tomorrow to see if he can get me an ultrasound asap, ( I am still under him as he did revision surgery in Feb 19, but neither of us are happy with the results, so I am pending further corrections)

Just lost my job, so this is the absolute worst news and timing, in such dire financial state as a result of cancer and it’s side effects. I’m trying really hard not to panic.

Would really help to know that yours was just a fatty lump!

Hope you are ok.

Good evening,

not sure anyone maybe able to help, I had a double mastectomy 6 years ago with immediate reconstruction diep. I have just found a pea size lump on under the skin of my breast however obviously aware that the tissue is no longer breast. I had some lumps and bumps but these came ans settled down after a few months however this is worrying me as it feels very similar to my first lump I found. Has anyone experienced this after so many years, I didn't consider the tissue would now change? 
 

Hello and thanks for posting,

Body tissue can change over the years, and scar tissue can also sometimes alter further with general ageing of the skin. So, it is probably easily explained. However, it might be worth asking your GP about it, and see what they say, just for peace of mind.

Wishing you the best,

Vanda