Dear Speechlady, Not really, perhaps an MRI might give a different picture but would still not be able to tell 100% whether what is seen is scar tissue or something else.
This is interesting since my surgeon told me specifically that he would order a mammogram 3 months post surgery to establish a new baseline and identify any scar tissue that might develop.
getting a new baseline mammogram 3 months after surgery is what I recommend, also. As to the lump in question, the simplest thing is to do a fine-needle aspiration; ie, putting in a small needle. If it's a cyst, fluid comes out, it goes away, end of problem. If it's not fluid, then the needle will be sampling the area and the material can be looked at under a microscope. If it looks totally innocent, and a mammogram is also innocent, the chance of missing tumor is really small. However, not every location has pathologists skilled in analyzing such small samples.
Thanks for the comments. I am asking the surgeon about the fine needle aspiration. I have a feeling he will say they cannot do it here. Should I go back to the states to have it done and avoid another biopsy?
i too have had a lump (directly on my incision) show up five years after the fact (surgery). my doctor says "scar tissue." i said how does scar tissue show up five years later? they did a fnb -- missed the spot. ignored me telling them this. you said a cyst will bring out fluid. what will scar tissue produce when using fnb? thank you so much.
I also had a biopsy 2 years ago. Diagnosis was :Fibrocystic change including moderate ductal hyperplasia. No evidence of atypical hyperplasia or carcinoma". The original lump was just beneath the left nipple.
A couple of weeks ago I had my annual mammo...the radiologist said it was "okay", but I need to see my doctor for another exam and possible MRI in 3 months. I can feel the scar tissue on the incision area...it is hard and right along the scar. The doctor felt a "thickening" to the right of my left nipple and is concerned. My left breast has felt "full" for the past few months as well.
Now I am really scared. My mother passed away from breast cancer 3 years ago....her mother died from it as did HER mother.