So, I had radical surgery in May, everything was fine with healing after surgery, I'm two thirds of the way through chemo and ca125 has been coming down. Over the last few weeks the base of my scar has become lumpy and raised. Thought it was just the scar tissue thickening but over the last few days the lumps have become very red and sore. I went to the walk in centre today to get it checked as I thought it might be infected. The doctor has given me antibiotics but he also said that he thinks the lumps look like possible tumours and I need to tell my cancer team tomorrow when I see them. Could new tumours really grow while I'm still on carboplatin and plaxitaxel and would they be this red and sore? So scared that everything has stopped working all of a sudden.
Terrified that chemo isn't working.: So, I had... - My Ovacome
Terrified that chemo isn't working.
Hello
When I was having Carboplatin only chemo my scars were extremely itchy and sore. It seems very odd for someone who is not an oncologist to give an opinion like that. You should ring your oncologist on Tuesday and see your GP too. It is much more likely that If it is itchy you may have scratched it and it has become a bit infected.
Best wishes
Xxx
Hi,wouldn't be too concerned what a GP says, he's not an expert and shouldn't be worrying you with suppositions at this point.
My wound was very painful for many months, very bumpy and after two months opened up with what looked like a hernia, sounds gross but my GP just kept cauterising it.
Also when you have the chemo it does seriously affect the functionality of all your other cells. Therefore the healing process of your wound may rake a little longer.
It's still early days for you, but feel sure you will start to get better.
Best of luck Jackie O xx
That sounds a bit irresponsible of the doctor, and terribly unfair on you. My scar was raised for ages and you can still feel some bumps low on my pelvic bone, and that is after three years. Shame on the doctor you saw.
I'm sure it's just the healing process.
LA xx
I got celulitus around my scar and a collection under it 4 months after surgery while I was having chemo.. It started as lumpy and over a few weeks became red and finally painful. One doctor told me it might be the cancer back so I panicked. They stuck a needle in no cancer but had a few sleepless tearful days. Watch your temperature in case it is an infection and call the chemo line if necessary. Xx
I know I had to get anti fungal cream as the top of my scar was red and itchy and scaly, The cream worked. It does take a while to heal properly. Your chemo is probably affecting your bodys ability to heal that is all. Certainly tell the team and they will advise you but try and test tonight. Abath with bread soda will help the itchy bits. I wouldnt think it is any thing sinister and your gp hasnt a clue and is just guessing. Dont use anything like bio oil for at least twelve months as it would affect the scar.
I'm so sorry this GP has terrified you in this way..he's not an oncologist and shouldn't have scared you like this... My scar also took forever to heal, it was very lumpy, red and sore and I thought it was never going to heal up...I can't believe these are tumors when you are also going through chemo, it just doesn't make sense... I think your oncologist will put your mind at rest.
Luanna x
Hi. I had a laparoscopy three weeks ago. Where they did the 3 incisions I now have 3 lumps. I have ovarian and peritoneal cancer. I am starting chemo on Monday. I don't know what these lumps are. And like you I am worried. The oncologist was very surprised and would not commit a firm answer to my question as to are they tumours? Has anyone else had this ? I am to have surgery after 3 cycles of chemo. Keep smiling as I a trying to do. x
I had the same thing happen after my laparoscopy; one became a hard lump and seemed to move around a bit. My doctor wasn't concerned, and said that it might be scar tissue, but that even if it were a tumor the chemo should take care of it. It went away. 
Sounds to me that Dr.is just speculating based on knowing you just had surgery for cancer. The ladies here in the forum has giving good advice, my wife just had radical hysterectomy 2 weeks ago (robotic) She still has bandages an she. Tells me there starting to itch,so it's good to here from the ladies that they have experienced Similar .see your regular Dr. Stay possitive an stronge
This happened to me antibiotics sorted it out,but because it's near the knicker line it does stay sore for a long time xx
Hi, try not to worry. I remember my scar being a bit lumpy, red and raised whilst going through chemo. In fact, my chemo was initially delayed as they thought I might have an infection at the scar site and swabbed it, but it came back clear. 2 years on, my scar has completely settled right down but, if I were to wear a pair of jeans that are on the tight side, i would get a bit sore in one particular spot on the scar. Try and stick to comfortable clothing for a while, nothing tight around the scan area, tell your team tomorrow, I'm sure they will check it out and reassure you. If your CA125 has been coming down, I wouldn't think it is tumours.
Let us know how you get on. Good luck. Ann xo
Hi, before I had first chemo carbo/taxel, I had a absess operated on my bum.( I know delightfull) when I started chemo six weeks later, it bleed and was a touch painful.It eased through my three weeks off. Then it repeated over again. It did heal after chemo. Try not to worry ,that Doctor was out of line. He is not an oncologist,Doctors can be wrong. When I had the absess I was in agony. The Doctor,locom,just out of school she looked so young. Told me to put a wet hot as I can bear it on the absess,so it would come to a head and burst.It was the size of a Sarah's honest. I didnt put anything on it,it was too painfull. Eventually taken into hospital to have it operated on.The surgeon that operated said if I had done what the locomotive said I wouldn't be here now.Scary eh! Let us know how it goes,bless you you could do without this. Be thinking of you,Meg xx
Haha locom not a train. Stupid pretext.xx
Can't believe they told you they might be tumors....sounds like the incision is just getting infected...IT HAPPENS! Your chemo is working! Stop worrying, all is going well...just a pesky incision.
As everyone else has said, sounds pretty well impossible it's a tumour. Took months for my scar to completely heal and now 4 and a half years on it's just a thin white line.
Thank you so much everyone for helping me to look at things in perspective again!! I had chemo today and the oncology nurse examined it - since starting the antibiotics yesterday the lumps have gone down, she phoned my oncologist just to confirm what she thought and it is highly unlikely that rumours are growing (which is what you all told me!!) Will we ever stop being paranoid about every little thing!!!!
Rumours not rumours! Although it's rumours that got me in this paranoid state!
Yes I agree rumours about tumours, look we all worry going through chemo for the first time, its all foreign to us so every ache and pain we think, is the cancer here or is it there? One of my colleagues said to me if she had a pain in her big toe she would think cancer too after hearing about my diagnosis. So the nurse was happy and they have to report everything to the onc so she was just doing that. You are really doing very well and maybe think of changing your gp to someone who is more sympathetic
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