Can local recurrence to chest wall look like spider veins?

When I thought I felt a lump on my mastectomy side, I went in and got an ultrasound. The results were ready the same day and you don't get any radiation from ultrasounds. I didn't want to wait a month before my next oncologist appointment. It came up clear and I didn't have to worry the whole month. But you already have an appointment relatively soon. Why don't you call them up and describe your skin and ask them if it will be ok to wait until next week? I'm trying to relax more about things I can't change. I hope it turns out to be nothing ..good luck to you!

GlowMore said:

Prayers for Good Results*

What good advice from button.....I hope that it is really nothing to worry about but can't blame you for being anxious.  I didn't have  a Mastectomy but only a Lumpectomy & back then they did the completle Lymphectomy.  But know about the anxiety when there are any changes.  I'm glad you are seeing the Oncologist next week so you can get your questions answered.....because being in the Pink Waiting Room can get pretty scary.   They want me to wait until December to recheck my tumor marker test....this is a new Onc and my old one I had for 12 years before he retired on me this year NEVER waited...he just had me come right back in and redo the bloodtest.  So...this waiting is not fun.

Prayers...(like the Serenity Prayer)  and sending encouragement...love....hugs and know that we all understand EXACTLY what you are feeling.   Keep us posted.  xxoo  Glo

Mine are chalked up to radiation changes - whatever that means.  I had rads in 2010 and this showed up maybe 2 1/2 years later.  I don't know if it's  just something that can happen down the road after radiation or not, but mine is not breast cancer recurrence.   I wan't concerned about that really but was concerned that it might be something nasty from the radiation (like cancer).   No one seems worried.   I had a lumpectomy and my spider veins are primarily above the areolar, not where my tumor was.  I watched it for a while and it seemed to progress so I freaked.  Nothing has changed in well over a year.   Glad your getting it checked and hope it puts your mind at ease.  I'd rather bother them and have it be nothing than have it be something I dismissed.  Any changes do need to be looked at.

Suzanne

Sharon, Its ok to be scared. Anybody that has or is on this website that has ever had cancer has been scared and even probably been standing on their head before and during their DX. I know I was. I had last chemo in May and I am on arimidex. I am high risk of mine returning and this cancer is on my mind at all times. I do like what Suzanne said that she had the same and it was nothing. That really sounds good, describing with what you also have. Suzanne said hers turned out to be nothing and hopefully yours will be the same. Good that you are seeing your ONC about this. I have good feelings that yours is going to be the same as Suzannes. Keep us updated.  Hugs, Pixie Dust 

I have had a lot of capillaries/veins/whatever showing up on the left side, where I had my more serious problems.  I attributed this to my going to PT and doing exercises and having the therapist doing whatever she needed to do to try to loosen up my arm/shoulder. 

I did have a small mass appear on my left side, just below my scar line.  Since I had my onc appointment soon after I had noticed this, I made sure he knew about it.  He sent me for an ultrasound.  The radiologist was not ready to give me clearance on that.  So, he recommended a CT scan or MRI.  If need be, a biopsy.  My onc opted to just go ahead with the biopsy.  No one thought for sure there was a major problem, but all were being cautious.

I did get a good report.  I also know that this is probably how it will be anytime something like this occurs, which is fine with me.

I just got that OK on 9/9/14.

cati0314 said:

Its not recurrence!

Thank you all who answered and gave me hope.  I just got back from the my new onco and he said it indeed was from the radiation that I had 4 years ago.  He is a renowned oncologist and I am thrilled that this is not what I feared.  He said I was doing wonderfully after checking my blood work and said he'd see me in 6 months.  

 

Yeah!!!!!

I am so relieved,

Sharon

Sharon, it is so good to get on here and here good news about someone. I am so happy for you. I know that you were scared which this is normal, now you can breathe much easier now. This has also made my day happier too. All of us Pink Sisters are in this together and care and love one another. I am tickled PINK.   (((((HUGS)))))  Pixie Dust

Did you ever get any answers? I have just noticed spider veins along my scar. I have not been able to get in to have it checked yet. Oh! I have now figured the page out and read the posts.

cati0314 said:

Spider veins

Hi, glad you read the posts.  As I said my spider veins were caused by the radiation.  My onco said it was common.  Make sure you check with your onco as soon as you are able.  Best, Sharon

Thank you Sharon. I feel so much better after reading here. I have bee waiting for the cancer center to return my call.