I had a full mastectomy on my left breast with full node clearance 5wks ago, the scar was healing really well, but a few nights ago, I noticed a hardening (lump/bumps) at the end of the scar nearest the breast bone. It’s the area where the tumour was, so naturally I am very concerned. I’ve been to see a surgical registrar who told me to monitor it, that it may be scar tissue or stitches, he thinks it’s too soon for the tumour to come back. My oncologist also said to monitor it, as i’ll be starting radium soon. I had 2 different rounds of neo-adjuvant chemo (b4 surgery), after the 1st one, the tumour grew back v.aggressively, so therefore i’m paranoid. What exactly does scar tissue feel like? is it painful? should it be a different colour?
I’d love to hear from anyone who has experienced a similar feeling on their scar.
hi. i had mastectomies in Nov 09. (initial tumour treated by lumpectomy in march 09).
my tumour was also on the medial (near breastbone) side of my left breast. the incision point closest to my breastbone did swell up and the very edge of the stitches began to poke through! it felt sharp as i ran my finger along it. this all happened within a month of the mastectomies!
it soon settled though. my scar tissue in the whole tumour area is still pinker, and more shiny than the rest of the scars.
just make sure your team keep a good eye on you. xxx
Thanks for that, they’re monitoring it as i’m due to start radiotherapy soon. Can you remember if it was painful to touch? I just wish i knew what exactly scar tissue was like.
Thks for replying x
I have a lump in a similar place to you and yes it is sensitive and sore-ish but my BCN examined me and said it was just like a dart in dressmaking where there are several layers all sqidged in together.
She said it will smooth out eventually (I’ve only had my mx 3 weeks ago)My wound has healed perfectly so it was quite a shock! Obviously any lumps or bumps with our experience is utterly terrifying isn’t it?
However, more hard bumps appeared next to it over the past few days, I saw the BCN yesterday to drain my seroma and she said they were haematomas (blood collections) and they were ok too.
Not sure this is any help but thought I’d share my ‘bumps’ knowledge with you. I really hope someone can check them out for you and put your mind at rest. You do need to know exactly what they are.
With your past experience of aggressive growth you must be out of your mind with worry. I really hope your fears are unfounded.
Take care.
Welsh girl
I have scar tissue where my lump was removed, but I did have 3 opps, as I didn’t have clear margin each time.
I had lump by my scar told nurses when I had rads, they said it was scar tissue and checked it every couple of wks.it was over one inch long and very hard roll,(like a little finger) finished rads in sept and I must say it is shrinking quiet well.
I had no pain with it, and didn’t hurt to the touch
hope this helps
Thks guys, unfortunately I was right & the tumour is back on my scar & have discovered nodes in my neck, so annoyed, this is my 3rd recurrence in 8months so next step is radiation, please god this will work,
I’ve been reading through a few posts recently & have read what you’ve been through!
I can only begin to imagine the stress & worry you’ve had to endure with this crappy disease & having 3 recurrances already.
I too am triple negative (4.5cm tumour, 17/30 nodes involved). Had mx & anc clearance in August last year & just finished chemo 4 weeks ago & am a week into rads.
Exactly 3 weeks after chemo finished & the morning after my 1st rads sessions I noticed a lump on my collarbone. I assumed that it was just a node reacting to being zapped…but now know that that doesn’t happen!
To say I’m out my mind with worry is an understatement! I had a CT scan on Tuesday…but am having to wait until next week sometime for results…as my hospital is short staffed!! and the report hasn’t been written yet!!!
My onc & surgeon are both pretty sure that the results will show a cancerous node (or many!), so I’m trying to prepare myself for what that means to me & my family (I have 3 kids aged 3, 5 & 10).
I have been told that if it’s just a single node then they’ll probably continue with the remaining 3 weeks of rads (as it kills cancer cells & the area is being zapped anyway), but if it shows more nodes then they will have to review my treatment plan.
It’s just so devastating to have gone thru surgery & 8 sessions of chemo for what (at present) seems like nothing!
I’m keeping everything crossed for you & hope that rads do the job of zapping the little sods into smitherenes…I know I lie on the bed when the rads machine is whirring & think to myself ‘Die b…’ LOL!
Sorry for rambling on, but I just felt that I had to post after reading your story…I fear that our situations may be very similar!