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Painful lump/spots after lumpectomy not going away?
Breast Cancer | Last Active: Oct 30, 2023 | Replies (30)Comment receiving replies
Hello - this is Mulkey 518 - In 2014 I had a lumpectomy (three (3) small lumps removed. But after surgery I still had pain in the same place that I had prior to breast cancer surgery. Every appointment back to surgeon I complained and she would say it was the seroma (fluid fiilled in hole that was were lumpss were. Annually I would have the Mammogram and Ultrasound and each year they would say that the seroma is going down slowly. Well in April of 2023 a lump appeared on the outside of my surigical breast; it was itchy and painful. I got to shorten the story up before I run out of characters. WELL 10/17/23 (after a biopsy was performed) it was confirmed that I have a new RARE blood vessel cancer called Angiosarcoma. It was a delayed side affect to the 6 week radiation that I had back in 2014. I have been in pain for 9 years. Now this cancer is bad and aggressive. Who ever heard of anyone getting Radiation Cancer. Very little information on this cancer. Now i have to go back and have cancer surgery to have my breast removed and get chemotherpy - I am 73 years old. Sometimes doctors look at the age and mind think that a 73 year old person has lived their life - just go home and enjoy the rest of your life. But I am going to do the surgery if I can. I am currently scheduled for CT Scans, Brain scans to see if the cancer has spread. I am praying to God that it has not. I am so devestated and hurt. So I say to all who experience pain after breast cancer surgery don't let the doctor keep telling you that it is scar tissue, or the seroma or whatever - be presistence and get a second opinion (which I failed at. thank you for letting me vent. I just want to inform all of you and not to scare you. Nobody wants to walk in my shoes. Be very vigilant about your health cause if you don't nobody will because nobody knows what your body is going through but you. May God continue to Bless all of you.
Replies to "Hello - this is Mulkey 518 - In 2014 I had a lumpectomy (three (3) small..."
I am sorry to hear that the doctors didn't listen to you. You are right that we need to persist in getting answers to our concerns. I am learning (now in my 70's) that I need to continue to ask and push for answers. Please don't let anyone tell you that you are too old for good health.
I am so sorry to hear of this journey. Definately we need to keep pushing bc there is just something to knowing when something is not right. I am wishing you a speedy and successful treatment and sending you ❤️ and strength.
@mulkey518
I'm so sorry to hear about your ongoing issues and new kind of cancer. I did know radiation put you at risk for cancer years down the line, but I've never heard of angiosarcoma. I hope it hasn't spread. So many people are living into their 90s and 100s now that they should not feel 73 is good enough. Sorry you are made to feel that way.
The spot where I had the recurrent breast cancer tumor removed from my chest wall has been very tender to touch for 3 years now and feels sunken in. They never seem surprised and say it's just nerve damage. I do have a lot of nerve issues from a genetic disorder, but it always seems strange to me that it never gets better. There isn't a lump and I've had many CT scans in the past 3 years monitoring my cancers. I will now pay special attention to any skin or texture changes there. I had 37 radiation treatments nearly 3 years ago including 9 boost treatments so lots of radiation.
I just looked up angiosarcoma. The photo it shows would make me think it was skin cancer. Does your skin look abnormal? It does state angiosarcoma can be a rare side effect of radiation and other causes. It states people with the BRCA1/2 mutations can be more prone to it. I have the BRCA2 mutation. Do you have one of those mutations?
Thanks for letting us know. It gives us all one more thing to watch for and be our own advocates. Prayers for you. Please keep us posted.
@mulkey518, you may wish to join this discussion in the breast cancer support group:
- Angiosarcoma of the breast caused by previous breast radiation
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/angiosarcoma-of-the-breast-caused-by-previous-breast-radiation/
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Mulkey, That's quite a story. Your experience is proof of the wealth of second opinions in medical care. Your body was telling you something was wrong. It was the surgeon who wasn't using her/his full brain to think of other possibilities. Hoping your CT scans are clear. This cancer crap is devastating on so many levels.