Small lump under skin of reconstructed breasts

@mntwin, I'm tagging a few members like @lhwoz @californiazebra @sessioja @gardenfairy who can share their experiences and hold space with you as you wait for your upcoming appointment. Waiting is the hardest part.

Here are a few possibly relevant discussions:
- Painful lump/spots after lumpectomy not going away?
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/painful-lumpspots-after-lumpectomy-not-going-away/
- Anyone have fat necrosis after breast reconstruction?
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/necrosis-after-reconstruction/
- New Malignancy vs. Fat Necrosis on MRI. Anyone have this conflict?
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/new-malignancy-vs-fat-necrosis-on-mri-anyone-have-this-conflict/
I'm glad you're having this looked after. Are the lumps painful at all?

Thanks, Colleen, for tagging me so I could help support @mntwin.

So glad you reached out to us in the forum. It takes tremendous strength and courage to step out. Good for you! So very sorry to hear of the hiccup you're experiencing during your post reconstruction phase. During my annual MRI in November, the report came back as BIRADS 4 with a large area of suspicious looking multiple enlarged ducts. Which led everyone to start talking about ILC, and which led me to A LOT of research, which led to another MRI biopsy. Unfortunately, it took my sister-in-law reminding me of an impact injury that occurred to my right breast during a fall last August. The biopsy results didn't confirm ILC, so we are now thinking it was fat necrosis from the injury. The challenge is that fat necrosis and ILC can mimic each other, making biopsy recommended. Unfortunately, there isn't much published research on long term follow-up of fat necrosis, just that it's often seen after tissue injuries caused by breast surgery, and in cases of impact injuries with resulting inflammation. I'm a previous nurse so I get into the research weeds a lot with 4 surgeries and multiple MRI and mammogram biopsies in my history. My radiologist had recommended a 6 month MRI with contrast this June, which I declined because he couldn't tell me what they would be looking for and I didn't want another infusion of Gadolinium so soon. So my breast surgeon will be doing an ultrasound next month instead. It usually goes away on its own over time. The one study I found said it can take from months to 5 years to disappear. I am so glad to hear you are getting very good care at Mayo, a premier institution for cancer care. I am here holding positive thoughts for the outcome of your ultrasounds. Do let us know what you find out. Take care!

In April 22 I had a partial mastectomy and at the same time breast reconstruction/reduction on both breasts.
The surgeries were successful but I had fat necrosis in both breasts. the right breast originally had a walnut sized lump which has resolved now.
(Yes, it was painful to the touch. Surgeon recommended warm compresses and my massage of the tissue. )
The left breast had 5 or 6 marble sized necroses. Some of them are now smaller but one or 2 are still big; they still hurt. I just ignore them .
I had my 1 year mammogram and no cancer was present. I hope they will go away over time.
Best wishes as you perdue answers and help.

I had the same thing and it finally did resolve almost two years later. I didn’t get a really good response from my onco or breast surgeon but, my plastic surgeon, who did my reconstruction, explained it all and told me to massage it. Thank goodness for him! Hope all goes well for you🌹

Hi @mntwin
I'm responding because I was tagged, but I did not have reconstruction after my double mastectomy so I don't feel my experience is relevant. Glad those that had reconstruction responded. The waiting game is so very hard. Hopefully, this is just routine reconstruction stuff. You're in my prayers for peace of mind and no further cancer issues.

I can tell you, I have a friend who is an identical twin and she got breast cancer at 35 just one year after her twin. Because she was vigilant and ran to the doctor at the first sign something was wrong (discharge), opted for a double mastectomy with early cancer, she is still here with us and cancer free 35 years later! She's the most energetic person I know. I'm sure your twin will take all precautions. Praying for her too.

@californiazebra, Thank you so much for your reply. I really appreciate the information about your friend who is an identical twin as well. I will definitely share that with my sister. Thank you for your prayers! You will be in my prayers, too!

Many thanks, @sessioja ! It helps put my mind at ease knowing yours eventually resolved after massage. I will try that. Thank you so much!

Thank you so much for the encouragement, @gardenfairy ! This is very helpful information, and I really appreciate your own experience. It seems to me that this must be something harmless from the reconstruction. I will definitely let you know what I find out next month. You will be in my prayers as you wait for your ultrasound next month as well!

Hello Colleen, Thank you for connecting me with these wonderful people! It has been helpful and relieves my mind knowing there are others who have had similar experiences. This is a place of understanding where I can take a deep breath and feel better. Wishing all the best!