Still hard behind WLE - Is this scar tissue

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Hi everyone

I had WLE in May this year and I have just had my 4th chemo today. However, something has been niggling me for a few days. Behind my WLE scar it is quite hard and I am wondering if this just scar tissue and if so how long does it take to go down, otherwise, I am not going to know whether I have a re-occurance. I am sure I have had this hardness since the op but I can’t fully remember now and am starting to worry a little.

Amanda xx

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hi Amanda,

I had a WLE in April this year. I had hard bits below my scar and someone said that it was fluid and it has gone now. I would check with your breast care nurse, surgeon or oncologist if you are still worried.

I know where your coming from as my boob has changed a lot. It’s hard to know what are ‘normal’ changes, you ask yourself is it because of the treatment or what? Best check it out!

Take care.

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Hi Amanda

I am 2 years 5 months from wle but its still hard under my scar. Annual mammo/ultrasound shows its scar tissue. fairly common i think.

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Hi Amanda,

I had WLE in Jan and had a hard patch behind the incision until about June when it softened and my breast felt ‘normal’ again … it was just in time for my mastectomy in July :slight_smile:
Try not to worry, but speak to your breast care nurse if it would help put your mind at rest.

Jacqui

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Hi Amanda,
Like Lolly I have had WLE in March, and full clearance in April 2008, and both scar areas are hard especially where full clearence was cos I had a bad seroma and had to have it re-opened and cleaned!!! lovely, so double scar tissue. I have had mammo, ultra sound and MRI since and all clear, they said def normal.
Get it checked out if it helps settle your mind though.

Take care
Dawn x

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Hi Lolly,
Me again, meant to say def gets even harder after radiotherapy so that can cause hardness too., I know you not there yet but thought best to let you know, I find that fore warned is better, cos then you know normal and less to worry about.
Dawn XX

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As Dawn say, radiotherapy makes the whole breast firmer. I had WLE a year ago and I have lots of firm scar tissue. Just had my mammogram and it was ok, so I think it is just normal. I don’t think scar tissue ever goes completely. Like you, it worries me that I would not be able to feel a recurrence but I suppose we do come to know what is ‘normal’ after a while.

Ann x

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Me too! Mine is hard and I find that I am worrying so its reassuring to see others have been in the same boat. I do have an appointment in 14 days so will ask the breast care team. Its so scary - things in the past I would have not worried about start to niggle! Off on hols tommorow to Cornwall - so will not think about the dreaded C.

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hi,

everything everyone says is correct, radiotherapy makes the breast firmer, i ran to doctor and breast care nurse on a few occasions because i could feel lumps under the scar, they all confirmed scar tissue now 3 years later it has all settled down and my scar is quite soft. the mammograms are also reasurring. but as everyone tells you it is always wise to check,

my breast care nurses never minded checking me.

Annie

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Hi everyone

Thanks for all your replies, it is reassuring to know that it is probably scar tissue. Over the last couple of months the Onc has felt there and the radiotherapy guy had a feel last Friday and didn’t seem concerned although I didn’t ask him about it. I think we worry about everything now, it is so hard. I have an appt with the Onc again in 10 days time so I will ask him to check it out again. I will be having my radiotherpay in October so will bear in mind that it will probs go harder again.

Sally 2009 - have a lovely time in Cornwall and yes don’t think about anything apart from having a good time.

Thanks again everyone. Amanda xx