Can a breast reduction surgery cause a calcified nodule as a result of a hematoma?

Thank you for your question. This is a very important question. As certain cells die, they can leave behind scar tissue and calcium deposits. This can happen after a reduction surgery from a hematoma or more commonly from fat necrosis. While these are technically harmless, they can look like similar findings to cancerous cells on imaging and can often create concern. While this area is most likely benign, the only way to know for sure and get peace of mind is to have a workup and have the area biopsied and evaluated by a pathologist to make sure there are no concerns for malignancy.Hope this helps!

The lump that you are describing which is 4 inches below your surgical site is not necessarily related to your breast reduction. Regardless, calcifications can occur as a consequence of hematomas, fat necrosis, etc. Given the location, its extremely unlikely to be of anything of consequence (that is, to worry about). Furthermore, radiologists can discern issues of concern that could represent cancer. If you are still nervous about this, a biopsy/excision can be requested.Steven Turkeltaub, MD

Calcifications can occur anywhere and are most often due to fat necrosis especially after surgery. These lesions are safe. If you are worried, just have it biopsied.