New lump detected whilst on chemo
Options
LeafBeetle
Member Posts: 4 ✭
Hi, I am posting for the first time but have been reading many posts on here for a few months now and have been able to feel more assured during my breast cancer ‘adventure’ from reading all of your insightful comments.
I was diagnosed on 6th September 2019 with triple negative breast cancer and 2 of my nodes have also tested positive for cancer with another 2 inflamed (weren’t tested so could also have cancer). I have since also tested positive for the BRCA1 gene. I have completed 4 rounds of EC chemo followed by 9 rounds of Taxol (9 rounds)and Carbo (4 rounds). Chemo finished Tuesday last week which I am very happy about and the original tumour has shrunk to being undetectable to the touch. I am now getting ready for surgery. However, around 4 weeks ago, I detected a new pea sized lump not far from my original tumour. It doesn’t seem to have grown any bigger during this time but it does have me worried. My oncologist couldn’t feel the lump as it is a bit tricky to detect by when I saw my surgeon, she ran the ultrasound over it and saw it as a perfectly round pea. She said that it didn’t jump out to her as being a definite cancer but couldn’t really say. She said that she would get the pathology and look at it when I have my mastectomy.
My question is, has anyone else had a new lump grow whilst on chemo? I am a bit worried about it. Should I ask for a biopsy to take place now rather than waiting until my operation in mid March? I will be seeing my oncologist again next week on Tuesday and the surgeon again next week on Thursday.
I was diagnosed on 6th September 2019 with triple negative breast cancer and 2 of my nodes have also tested positive for cancer with another 2 inflamed (weren’t tested so could also have cancer). I have since also tested positive for the BRCA1 gene. I have completed 4 rounds of EC chemo followed by 9 rounds of Taxol (9 rounds)and Carbo (4 rounds). Chemo finished Tuesday last week which I am very happy about and the original tumour has shrunk to being undetectable to the touch. I am now getting ready for surgery. However, around 4 weeks ago, I detected a new pea sized lump not far from my original tumour. It doesn’t seem to have grown any bigger during this time but it does have me worried. My oncologist couldn’t feel the lump as it is a bit tricky to detect by when I saw my surgeon, she ran the ultrasound over it and saw it as a perfectly round pea. She said that it didn’t jump out to her as being a definite cancer but couldn’t really say. She said that she would get the pathology and look at it when I have my mastectomy.
My question is, has anyone else had a new lump grow whilst on chemo? I am a bit worried about it. Should I ask for a biopsy to take place now rather than waiting until my operation in mid March? I will be seeing my oncologist again next week on Tuesday and the surgeon again next week on Thursday.
0
Comments
-
Sorry to see you here, @LeafBeetle - but you are in the right spot for support and advice on all things BC.
It sounds like the 'new lump' will be removed with the original tested one - and at the time of surgery, they will be taking out more nodes to test as well, so within a week or so of that, you should get your pathology back, with a clearer plan of your future treatment.
All the best for your surgery - make sure you take a small oblong cushion with you, to support your arm post op as well as in the car on the drive home - any bumpy roads or even your driveway can cause jarring that can hurt. Clutching the cushion will buffer the bumps . xxx
0 -
It reads as if the surgeon will take out that pea sized lump during your mastectomy. Mastectomy is when they take as much breast tissue as possible and this pea size lump is within this area. So even if you did have the biopsy before surgery and it came back positive, it was still going to come out anyway.1
-
As everyone says, it will come out when you have surgery but I can understand the feeling. I found a lump
under my arm (non mastectomy side) while on chemo post surgery. It turned out to be a schwannoma, completely benign, possibly been there for ages. Every bump and lump takes on a threatening aspect post diagnosis, but may be harmless!1 -
Dont assume the worst. It's a nerve-wracking time for sure, but trust the experts and hope for the best all the way through.
Hugs0 -
I wanted to thank all who replied here and gave encouraging words. It was much appreciated. Sorry for the very delayed response here.
I ended up having a double mastectomy with sentinel node dissection on the left and a partial auxiliary clearance on the right on the 13th of March. I have recovered pretty well and although I have had a bit of cording (which I have been able to pop myself), I have regained most of the range of moveMent back in both arms.My pathology came back and I was told that I had a complete pathological response YAY. So the lump was nothing to worry about.I am 5 rounds into radiation now and so far so good. I will be having 15 rounds all up. I have a new little lump that has formed under my arm but I am not as worried as I was last time. I am thinking that it might have something to do with cording again as it seems to be running along a cord. I will be seeing the surgeon tomorrow about it.
Now it is time to get back into getting fit and healthy again. All the best:)5 -
Hi LeafBeetle, awesome pathology news after surgery.
I was diagnosed with triple negative BC October 2018, surgery for partial mastectomy December 2018, Chemotherapy, Feb 2019 full auxiliary clearance in July 2019, and 30 rounds of radiation, September 2019.
Had yearly mammogram in December 2019 had the all clear.
Going for my 6 monthly checkup on Monday.
Any issues get them checked out , just to put your mind at rest.
Wishing you the very best, sending hugs xx
4 -
Thats great news @LeafBeetle, good luck with the radiation.
@Shellshocked2018_ good luck with the 6 monthly check on Monday
1
