Expert: Claes-Gustaf Nordquist, M.D. - 11/24/2004

Question
I have had left side breast cancer- large lymph node removed, another tumour below the breast on the rib cage, nothing on the mammogram.  Since nothing (?) in the breast, I was not given surgery, but FEC chemo 6 courses and 15 radiation plus 5 boosts to the rib cage lump.
The problem is that they delivered radiation to the left breast which included an area where I still had an implantable port.  Now I am 6 months post treatment and have a large firm lump where the port used to be.  I am concerned that this is a recurrence or that the port protected my cancer from the radiation treatment.
There are also some hard "ropy" lumps running vertically down into the top of the breast.  I am also having some soreness under my left arm, thickness in the skin over the ribs.
May be paranoia but it all feels like recurrence to me.  Please comment on whatever you can in my message.

Answer
Without being able to examine you that is really difficult - or more likely impossible. Discuss with your drs. what should be done AND if biopsies can be taken from the lesions you suspect being tumour. IF that can be done you have a good chance of obtaining a clear cut answer to what they are and thereby also to what can or should be done about them. That is unfortunately under the circumstances all I can tell you.