Chest Wall Nodule with ILC: What to do?

texasdonna

This is my first question to ever ask on this forum. You've all helped so much just in allowing me to be a fly on the wall these last 3 years. I honestly hoped I'd never have anything to worry about again with cancer, but it's one day at a time for all of us, huh?  I had an MRI a year ago which showed a "likely benign" nodule on the bottom outer portion of my left chest wall. Recommendation: keep an eye on it. Last week, I had an ultrasound and a repeat MRI which now show the nodule in the same place, about the same size, but there has been a change in "kinetic activity" which now shows "rapid rise and rapid washout". As far as I can tell, rapid washout is not a good thing and often signals malignancy. Here's my dilemma: I was diagnosed at 42 years old after my very first mammogram. No lump. No family history. Very small tumor (4mm) in the right breast. I opted for a bilateral mastectomy and I'm glad I did because they found cancer cells in the left breast as well when the path report came back. Due to the early stage, I didn't have to do chemo (except Tamoxifen), and due to the bilat mast I didn't have to do radiation. Now here I am 3 years later with this little nodule. To worry or not to worry? I'm thinking proactive is always best. My oncologist released me a year and a half ago, to be contacted only if symptomatic. Is this a good time to contact her? The radiologist recommended watching it another 6 months and then getting another ultrasound. I think I'd like it just taken out and biopsied. That's the only real way to know whether it's benign or malignant, right? Help? I have information overload.

BarbaraA

I would have a biopsy. Just me but not knowing would drive me insane.

toomuch

Since being dignosed with breast cancer, I wouldn't "watch" any growth near my chest. I would get a copy of the MRI and ultrasound and follow-up with my breast surgeon and request a biopsy. Most biopsies are benign. I'd rather know for sure that a lesion was benign then have the worry that it isn't. I agree with you proactive is always best!

texasdonna

Thanks. It helps to know I'm not being a hypochondriac. I always wonder if doctors tell us the same things they would tell their wives or mothers.

lago

Yes I do think you should update your onc regarding this finding.

AnacortesGirl

You are definitely not being a hypochondriac!  If this was a finding on a person who never had cancer then I could understand waiting 6 months.  But for a person who has had that dx then making them wait or worry for 6 months is just not right.  I would go to the onc.  And hopefully you'll find out that it's nothing!

jan508

I think you definitely need to contact your oncologist. Why did you have the MRI? I had ILC but stage 2 - ER/PR+ and HER2- I didn't have chemo or rads but had DMX and oncotype score was 19.

My oncologist doesn't do scans unless there is a symptom.

I too am on Tamoxifen.  Did you have symptoms?

Jan

suzieq60

The likely benign reading on an MRI is not always benign as I have recently found out. With the now rapid takeup and washout - you definitely have to get it seen to right away.

JennyB100104

Oh man, this has got to be stressful. I'm currently in a wait-and-see pattern with a lesion on my liver (which completely bites, I have to say), so I can relate to your feelings.

I'd definitely call your oncologist and get his/her opinion on what to do about this. I'd definitely push for a biopsy if possible (unfortunately, I can't really do that with my liver--it's too risky. Argh!).

Big hugs. I hope it's B9.

Jenny

texasdonna

Yes, I was symptomatic with left breast pain straight through to the scapula. It started about a year and a half ago and it took 6 months of doc visits to get the first MRI (they started with plain films, a bone scan, and a trip to the plastic surgeon to make sure it wasn't the implants). I continue to have shooting pain through the breast on a daily/weekly basis and it has been somewhat explained away with "innervation", "scar tissue", and mysterious, inexplainable breast pain that lots of women supposedly have post-mastectomy. I refused to ignore it and persisted with asking for tests to make sure. Now I'm glad I did because they have last year's tests to compare with this years. That's how the radiologist was able to tell that there has been a change in kinetic activity. I love my family doc, but I'm finding that it's easy to fall through the cracks if you don't ask for help. Thank you guys so much for all your input and support. How great to have a site like this.

hrf

Don't wait 6 months. Call onc. Get biopsy asap

texasdonna

I definitely will. Thanks for the advice.