2mm blemish on my mx scar - too tiny to be significant?

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Hi Everyone!

I’ve got the tiniest “blemish” on my scar site - it’s a year this month since my left mx for Paget’s disease of my nipple, so I’ll be having my first check up soon, but havent got a date for it yet. (I’d previously had WLE and rads for DCIS 10yrs ago).

It’s just a tiny little pale red area, like a spot but it’s beneath the skin. It’s not scaly n hasn’t bled or oozed anything else. It’s been there about a week or ten days, but I didn’t start to worry about it until Friday, cos I often have one or two pimples below the scar line, n that’s normal for me.

On Friday though, it suddenly dawned on me that there’s no pimples there at the moment, but that this blemish is still there after quite a few days.

I spoke to the helpline late Friday afternoon, and they advised me to get in touch with my bcn, so I’ve left her a message this morning.

I have to say that the blemish looks quite like my Paget’s did - but… it’s coming up to a year since my surgery, AND my Dad’s had three episodes of cancer over the last two n a half years (two new primaries, with one recurrence), so maybe I’m just over anxious for myself, n that horrible little gremlin inside me is saying “what if you get a third episode of cancer like Dad”?!!

In myself, I’m so different and happier than over the last few months. I’ve just come back from an adventure holiday where I white-water rafted, went zip gliding etc, and actually getting through the airport for me was something that’d worried me. I’ve done all that and had a fabulous time, so my confidence is so improved, and now it doesn’t matter as much that I’ve only got one boob.

At the time of the mx, my bcn said that if my cancer recurred, it would come back as skin cancer at the mx site. Guess I’ve just got a feeling that this is it n it’s come back. If so, I’m doing the right thing in contacting the bcn.

What will they do if they suspect a recurrence - will they be able to biopsy such a tiny area? It’s only 2mm, so I’m going to feel very embarrassed talking to them about it, cos they’ll think I’m hypochondriac or something. (Although they were lovely with me in the 9yrs between my DCIS and Paget’s diagnosis’s, and checked out the two or three lipomas that I found - I’m a bit prone to them).

If it IS anything cancerous, will it be counted as a local recurrence or a secondary, and will they have to do an ultrasound etc to see if there’s anything beneath it - I can’t have a mammogram there, cos there’s no breast left. (I’ve never gone for reconstruction)

Oh gosh sorry everyone, I’ve rambled on here, but it’s helped to write it.

Love to Everyone!

Shelley xxx

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Poor you Shelley what a worry. You did the right thing contacting theHelpline and taking their advise to ring the BCN. She might be able to fast track things for you . The sooner you know what is going on the less time you have to imagin all sorts. I think if it is on your scar line it will be called a local recurrence. They will probably do a biopsy or fine needle adpirate. It might be an old stitch from previos surgery, insect bite or a pimple.
Crossing fingers for you and the results
Cakles

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Thanks so much Cackles! I’ve just heard back from the bcn (not my own, but she sounded ever so nice!), and she asked me what the blemish looks like. She said that as I’m due to be seen in clinic any time now, she’d get me an appt asap, n that I’d get a letter with an appt for in the next few days.

Then she phoned me back again almost immediately, saying that I could be seen in clinic this Wednesday afternoon - I could have hugged her! So, I don’t have long to wait to be seen. She says that the doc will look at it, and if it needs a biopsy, they’ll do it there and then.

It’ll be lovely if it is just a stray stitch or an insect bite Cackles. Thankyou again for replying to me, and I’ll let you know how I go on.

With much love,
Shelley xxx

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I am so glad you have a good Breast Care Nurse. All thoughts with you for Wednesday
Cackles

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Thanks so much Cackles! xxx

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Oh gosh, I’m getting nervous about tomorrow. The appt’s at short notice, but I’m not complaining about that cos I’m getting seen quickly, but it means I’ll be going on my own, as my friends will be working.

I’ve not told anyone about it, apart from on here, but my philosophy is why worry my family and friends unless there’s something to worry about. If they tell me at the hospital that they think I may have a recurrence and do a biopsy tomorrow, then’ll be the time to tell everyone, and ask for support at results clinic, which’ll be the following week.

I keep looking at the “blemish” area - if looks could kill, it’d be gone by now I can tell you! Lol!!

Lots of love to everyone!
Shelley xxx

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Oh Shelley If only I could take you. Is there nobody you could ask? This blasted disease is nthe pits, but you will find your way through somehow. We all know what it’s like when people say "you look well and of course the “how are you” that we never answer properly.
Still crossing my fingers for a stitch or pimple, but you must be terrified today because it is the unknown.
Good. Luck and sending you a hug
Cacklesxxx

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Thanks - am really scared now. Have talked myself into it being Paget’s disease again. I just want them to do a biopsy tomorrow. I also feel theyre gonna look at it and laugh, cos it’s only 2mm. I also keep telling myself I had a gammy nipple for 9yrs between the DCIS and the Paget’s disease, and the nipple wasnt anything to worry about, until I had the Paget’s diagnosis last year.

What if they make me wait and see how it progresses, before doing a biopsy? I couldn’t deal with that - I need them to do a biopsy tomorrow, n its only tiny, and I bet they’ll just think I’m a hypochondria!

Can’t stop crying - I woz ok till now.

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Shelley I very much doubt if they will laugh because the BCN will have told them why you are there( and hopefully she will be there too if she is about). Having said that they too will be hoping it is nothing to worry about. They may do a biopsy if it is not a stitch /pimple or they might give you a date to have the area removed, but whatever they do you could ask them what they think the area is. It will not be a definitive answer because they need histology or cytology but they might be able to give you an idea.
It is horrid, horrid, horrid, to have this worry on your own. I will be thinking of you as I take my 85 yr mother around Sainsburys. All fingers and toes crossed.
Cacklesxxxx

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shelley, big hugs and thinking of you tomorrow. insist on a biopsy if thats you want! best of luck, with love, alex xx

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Thanks Alex & Cackles, I’ve cried buckets just now, and feel better for it. Am going to try and eat the tea I’ve been cooking/keeping warm.

I’m hoping it’s just a pimple, or a suture left under the skin. I’ve just had a stupid thought - almost too stupid to voice, but I’m going to write it anyway, cos it’ll perhaps help other people to know they can write whatever they’re thinking on here. My thought is that perhaps pimples can’t grow in exactly the same way on scar tissue, and that’s why it looks different, when in fact it’s hopefully just a pimple.

I’m so glad we’ve got these forums!

I’ve tried to get hold of one of my friends to ask her if she can go with me tomorrow, but she’s not in just now.

My love to you all
Shelley xxx

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Best of luck for tomorrow shelly- defo ask for a biopsy if they can’t be certain it’s harmless. It’s the only way to rule out bc + so do it for ur own peace of mind :slight_smile:
Tina xx

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hi shelley , best of luck for tomorrow xx

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Shelly, hope you get on ok tomorrow .I will be thinking of you. Nothing that you think or write is silly especially not on here with friends who fully understand.Sounds like you are very like me (and a lot of others on here im sure) i would need to have everything checked out just to be sure however small it was .You just need to know to set your mind at rest so insist on them doing a biopsy . Take care and the best of luck for tomorrow. Love Sharon xx

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Shelley I am so sorry you are having this to worry about. Thank goodness that bcn acted quickly because at least it shortens the anxiety period. I would be very surprised if they don’t do a biopsy tomorrow - there would have to be something they see that tells them it is definitely nothing to worry about for them not do do the bio. I had a problem that occurred about 6mths after a mastectomy back in 1998 I think - it looked like 3 insect bites right next to the scar well to be honest I thought they were flea bites courtesy of my persian cats!!but my surgeon told me there and then before doing proceeding to do the biopsy that he was sure it was a recurrence. It was a ‘proper’ biopsy, not a fine needle aspiration. Did you have any radiotherapy after your mastectomy? because if it was a recurrence that does make a difference to how they deal with things. But it isn’t much good my telling you too much about what I had as it was so many years back and things do change over the years. I suppose the good news in this is that I am still here :). But do remember we are all different and yours has just as much chance of not being a recurrence. You will get some more answers tomorrow and really hope they will be good answers.

Dawn
xx

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Oh, you are all such lovely ladies on here - Tina, Sharon, Angie and Dawn, thanks ever so much for your replies, which have helped so much!

If they say it’s nothing to worry about tomorrow, I’ll ask them how certain they are of that, and will ask if they’ll do a biopsy to be certain. Like you say Sharon and Tina, it’s the only way I’m going to be reassured for definite - or get treated quickly if the results come back positive for recurrence.

I’ve had rads 10yrs ago in that area, so don’t think I’d be able to have them again. My surgeon is really good, and also his team is brilliant too, so I’ll need to trust them if they tell me I have no need to worry. That means kicking out that little voice from my head that says “bc’s returned!”

It’s all “if’s” so far - my gut instinct is telling me it’s a recurrence, but although that sounds as if I’m thinking gloomily, both my DCIS 10yrs ago and the Paget’s disease last year were both very early stage. This area is so small, so hopefully if it is bc again, it’ll be easily treated.

Dawn, sorry you’ve had such a long history of bc problems! Thank you so much for sharing with me about the 3 insect bites. I’m glad they biopsied you immediately and found out the recurrence - I really hope they do the same with me. Yes, the good news is you are still here, and thankyou so much for your reply.

With much love to everyone!
Shelley xxx

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Hello again everyone!

I had my clinic appt this afternoon, and they’ve done a core biopsy. The surgeon I saw was lovely, and also the nurse who was in with me. I get my results next Wednesday afternoon.

So, I’m playing the waiting game now - inside myself I’m about 80% positive I’ve got a recurrence, but just feel so relieved they’ve biopsied me without even needing me to ask for it. The surgeon wasnt sure what the area is - could be recurrence or could be a stitch trying to come out.

I know the waiting time for results is horrible, but better that than them have told me to come back if it got any worse - I’d have felt really worried at being dismissed like that.

Much love to everyone, n thankyou all again for your posts on here!

Shelley xxx

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Glad to hear they are investigating it. Fingers crossed for a stitch xxx

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I was thinking about you today Shelley- so glad in some ways they did a core biopsy at least you will know for sure next week. It sounds as if you are at a good hospital. It is horrible waiting for results but it is better they did a core biopsy rather than an FNA. They will know exactly what is going on. I hope you are not too sore.
Gentle hug
Cackles xx

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thinking of you Shelly… the waiting game is horrible… big hugs xxx