Should My Rabbit Have Surgery?

Question
My rabbit is nearly 6 years old. I found him as a baby after he had been set on fire and then deposited in a blizzard. He's very healthy and happy now but his left should didn't have fur for the longest time due to scar tissue.

As the fur grew back the scar tissue receeded and became a lump in his shoulder. He would also occasionally get a tiny cyst by it. I had a biopsy done on the shoulder a few months ago just to be safe because I was afraid that it was a tumor and not just scar tissue. The biopsy came back that is was 90% likely to just be scar tissue, but there were a scant few cells that could become cancerous down the line. Botht he vet and the person that performed the biopsy said the potential for cancer was exceptionally low but to watch it.

It's been a few months now and the lump in his shoulder hasn't changed size, but he does have a few tiny lumps around it that are appearing. Four to be exact - but they are very tiny, about 1/2 to 1/4 cm and they are in a semi circle on the side of the lump that was removed for the biopsy.

Because my rabbit was obviously horribly abused before I found him, he really doesn't deal well with people except for me and the last time I brought him in for the biopsy, he had a bit of a freakout and wouldn't let me or his bonded pair mate (both are fixed) come near him for a few days afterwards unless I medicine or treats for him and even then, he was untrusting.

I want to make sure I'm not crossing the line between good watchful pet owner and paranoid worrisome pet owner who ends up bringing him in for something he doesn't need and then have him get paranoid and distrustful again. I'm at the point where removing the lump and the little bumps around ti would give ME peace of mind and he wouldn't have to put up with daily lump checks, but I also don't want him to have surgery if it's unnecessary, especially since he is eating and playing well and shows no signs of sickness or fatigue.

Answer
Dear Alexander,

What a lucky bunny.  How sad and horrible that he had such a terrible start, though.

If you are really worried about the lump, and the vets think it would be reasonable to remove it, then one way to avoid the freakout would be to ask the vet to prescribe a dose of Valium for your bunny before you take him to the vet.  This will help ease his anxiety, and may make his recovery easier.

If the vet really thinks you are worrying needlessly, then I would just let it be.  Daily lump checks are probably overkill, and you might not notice changes as well as if you did them once every few weeks.  

If the lump is really not changing, then I, personally, would not risk the surgery.

Hope this helps.

Dana