What Causes Lump In Inner Aspect Of Mastectomy Scar?

Posted on Sat, 28 Mar 2015

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Sat, 28 Mar 2015 Answered on

Mon, 20 Apr 2015 Last reviewed on

Question : Hi, i was diagnosed with stage 1 idc no nodes involved er and pr positive her2- in 2011 treated with aromatase an radium. Diagnosed again with dcis in same breast high grade her2 positive with comedo necrosive no invasive found in october 2014. Treated with mastectomy. Have a good bit of radium damage to that area from previous radium but now a hard marble like lump apeared in the inner aspect of mastectomy scar, do you thin its just healing changes thats a bit unusual because of previous radium i am taking 1000mg of vitamin e that consultant radiologist prescribed. Dont you think it would be unusual to get something sinister only 6 months post surgery.

Answered by Dr. S. Samanta (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
This should be taken seriously!

Detailed Answer:
Hi! thanks for writing to us!

A hard marble like lump that appeared in the inner aspect of your mastectomy scar could be due to following possibilities:

1. recurrence of duct carcinoma possibility 60%

2. scar fibrosis or suture granuloma or hypertrophic scar possibility 20%

3. chronic low grade infection or inflammation

This is according to my experience of needle biopsy and excision biopsy / histopathological studies and therefore you must see your surgeon for a clinical examination and must not neglect this one....

Regards,

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Shanthi.E

Follow up: Dr. S. Samanta (2 days later)

Have app to see dr on thurs. Would hate to think of waisting his time.would it be unusual to have a returnn of breast ca only 6 months post madtectomy as the both cancers at a very early stage idc in 2011 was 7mm also dcis covered a small area. Will definately get it checked out was just wondering as i thought having got it so early and no node involvement that chances would be very slim. Thanks

Answered by Dr. S. Samanta (3 hours later)

Brief Answer:
It is a chance factor and should be over-estimated!

Detailed Answer:
Hi! thanks for the feedback!

Your IDC is among good prognostic group and also stage 1 only...therefore, it would be unlikely to have re-recurrence after chemoradiation and surgery..

But sometimes the tumor could be multifocal and that is a chance factor only, could be in your case.

As per your history, however, it could be more likely an inflammatory condition rather than cancer.

would like to request you a needle aspiration/cytology or FNAC for immediate confirmation.

Thanks!

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj