Breast Reconstruction: Q&A
Ask a QuestionI Had a Lumpectomy Five Weeks Ago and Just Noticed a Nipple Inversion on That Side. What Has Caused This?
Diagnosed with invasive mucinous ductal cancer and had surgery five weeks ago. Yesterday , I noticed a nipple inversion on that same side. My breast and nipple have been very sore all that time. Any reason to be concerned? France
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7 Doctor Answers |
Asked by
Adeline
in Vancouver, BC, Canada
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Nipple appearance has changed after lumpectomy
It is not uncommon for the appearance of a woman's breast and or nipple to change after lumpectomy. Sometimes the breast tissue will "settle out" and the appearance will improve. Unfortunately, however, when nipple inversion is present, it is often because the removal of the diseased tissue created a void behind the nipple, and this is unlikely to improve over time. In fact, the degree of inversion may become even more pronounced after radiation therapy. A recent studies...
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NIpple inversion following a lumpectomy
This nipple inversion most probably is secondary from the surgery, the absence of the more supportive underlying tissue and developing scar contracture. You should discuss this with your surgeon who may very well ant to re-examine you.
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Lumpectomy and skin and areola changes
Without an exam I can not be sure but, this may be related to the surgery and scar contracture. You should check it out with your surgeon to be sure.
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Breast Conservation Therapy (Lumpectomy) Can Create Breast Deformities
If you have undegone a lumpectomy for breast cancer, your breast surgeon has cored out tissue to remove your tumor with a healthy margin of noncancerous tissue. It is not uncommon for patients to see deformities manifest over time. Also, you will require radiation therapy to complete your breast conservation therapy. Radiation is effective for killing microscopic cancer cells but it damages the normal tissue. Many lumpectomy (breast conservation therapy)...
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Nipple inversion after breast biopsy
A breast biopsy can create a cavity that will collapse and pull surrounding breast tissue into the scar. As this occurs it may pull on ducts that connect directly with the nipple producing nipple inversion. This is greatest at 6 weeks after biopsy and may persist for up to a year before softening significantly.
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Significance of Nipple Retraction or Inversion
The nipple is the exit site of all the ducts of the breast. Any significant inflammation involving a group of ducts tends to shorten them and retract the nipple. In extreme cases, this may result in inversion of the nipple.
Such inflammation, as in your cases, is explicable by the surgery you just had. Sudden retraction in other instances, need to be worked up for occult breast cancer causing inflammation which shortened the breast ducts.
Nipple retraction CAN be corrected. Allow...
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Nipple inversion after lumpectomy
Sorry for your diagnosis. The reason the nipple retracts is that scar tissue may have formed from the lumpectomy. Sometimes this will improve with massage and time, but speak to your breast surgeon and possibly have him refer you to a plastic surgeon for a consultation.
These answers are for educational purposes and should not be relied upon as a substitute for medical advice you may receive from your physician. If you have a medical emergency, please call 911. These answers do not constitute or initiate a patient/doctor relationship.
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