7 mm mass directly under nipple

Pattyshothouse

Hi,

I posted about a month ago under not diagnosed but worried.  

I tried to edit a few weeks ago, and messed something up and ended up deleting everything I wrote.  I'm not good at this, and having high anxiety sure does not help.  Sorry.

I'm looking for someone with an similar experience.

Last month, I had a sudden onset of stabbing pain in my right nipple. I had discharge, first it was clear then green. Was sent for diagnostic mamo and ultrasound.  Absolutely nothing showed, they said I was fine.  I said I am not fine I have pain and green discharge.  Was then sent to a  breast surgeon. He took a smear of the discharge and ordered me an MRI of both breasts even though my problem was with the right one.

I had my MRI last week and today I went for follow up for the results. He said, There is a 7mm mass directly under my nipple. The doctor believes it is a papaloma. But, he said he can't be sure so he sent me for a biopsy. He said they will do a utlra sound guided biopsy, I said, But the last ultrasound they found nothing and said I was fine. The diagnostic mamo said I was fine. I knew I wasn't fine because it feels like I'm being stabbed in my nipple with a knife and have discharge. So, off I went today, same day as MRI results,  I go in, and they can not find the mass with the ultrasound, surprise! They send in another doctor to try to find it.

She says I know where to look because I have the MRI but we can not pick it up. Next step would have been MRI guided biopsy, This doctor who does biopsy says because of how close it is to my nipple it will be almost impossible to do the biopsy even with the MRI. She say's the best thing to do is just forget the biopsy and have the surgery to remove this thing then send it to pathology. She was calling the breast surgeon to tell him. 

When the surgeon told me my results for the MRI he also said the smear he sent to pathology showed no signs of cancer cells. I don't really remember what he said but he said it had "junk " in it.  I'm not sure if it was the word junk but something like that. 

Has anyone had or know of someone who has a mass but they can't get to it to do a biopsy because of how close it is to the Nipple?

Is it ok to just go in and remove it without really knowing what your dealing with? I'm worried if he cuts and it happens to be something bad; won't it spread? 

I posted under this thread cause I honestly don't know if it's benign or not since they cant biopsy me. 

Thanks

Delilahbear

I have been where you are now. The first one on left side, the breast surgeon could feel the mass and did a ductal excision and biopsy. It came back as papilloma and some other stuff. Year later same thing on right side and the papilloma there was hard to find on ultrasound and was found on MRI. Did have ducta excission for that one and 3 other wire guided biopsies, bi-lateral. Due to the diffuse papillomas and atypical metaplastic changes, I went on to have mastectomies. I hope you can get the mass (most likely papilloma) removed and your symptoms resolved. The surgery for the ductal excission was realatively easy and recovery non-eventful. Hope everything is benign and goes well.

Pattyshothouse

Thanks,  This is stressing me out. I've just come through 2 spinal fusions . first cervical, then lumbar and the recovery from these fusions is really hard, I'm only 12 weeks out, now I have this.  Guess the saying is right,  comes in 3's.   uugh.

lady6244

I'm so sorry you are having to go through this terrible time!  My lesions (one ADH and one a papilloma) did not show up on the mamo or ultrasound.  I was actually alerted when a very large hematoma (bruise) appeared on my breast one morning.  The lesions did show up on an MRI and was diagnosed after an MRI guided biopsy.  Surgery was necessary to remove the two areas and the surgery was not very bad.  Although papilloma's are benign, my surgeon told me it was not a good sign when there are other issues such as ADH or LDH surrounding the area. 

If it were me, I'd rather it be removed than take a chance on something else showing up.  And also to make sure that it is benign!  It will give you peace of mind and the surgery really isn't too bad. Discuss with your surgeon and primary to come up with the best option for you.  For me, NOT doing anything was not an option!  Hang in there honey!

Pattyshothouse

Thanks...  I know he said either way it has to come out.  I was just confused about why they can't even do a mri guided biopsy? I guess it probably doesn't matter at this point.  Just getting it out is what i should focus on.

WolfsLady

If you have core biopsy and it's a papilloma they are most likely going to recommend removing it anyway.  A single papilloma is low risk for cancer, but rarely they do hide cancer. It does sound like typical papilloma symptoms.  I wasn't going to have mine removed because I had no symptoms, but I started having stabbing pains so it's gone now.  Having a simple biopsy is likely not going to stop the discharge or the pain.  The surgery wasn't that bad.  You can check out my posts if you want.  The changes are taking some getting used to but my doctor says that if it's still bothering me after 6 months I can have corrective surgery.  Don't get me wrong they are not huge changes and I feel like I'm being too vain letting them bother me.  Mostly I'm a bit OCD and they don't match now.  That side droops more and the nipple doesn't point the way the other one does.  I don't even notice it as much looking in the mirror as I do looking down when I'm taking a shower or getting dressed.  Pain was minimal.  I don't even think I took pain pills after the first day.  Certainly it was less noticeable than the awful stabbing pains that I had for over 2 months before the surgery.  Let me know if you have any questions.  

Pattyshothouse

Thanks. Yup, I got questions.... My surgery is scheduled for July 24th.  I go in Monday to consult about what exactly he will be doing.  I have no idea.  so, the nurse say's its an excisional biopsy since they couldn't do any other  biopsy with the radiologist doctor??  IDK.  They say I'll be under anestesia again, I just had 2 spine surgeries, and I will leave the same day.  Does excisional biopsy mean that I possibly have to go back in for another surgery?  I just want this done and over with.

How long should I expect to wait to make sure it's not the c word?  here's the thing, The doctor is going on vacation the next week. So, I go in on Thursday and I'm pretty sure his last day before his vacation is Friday.  What if something goes bad while he's on vacation? I know if I was a doctor I'd be taking long vacations. If they could have just done the normal biopsy like everyone else gets my mind would be at ease. 

Straitlover

On the excisional biopsy, if there is no malignancy found, you would not have to have additional surgery. I had them on both breasts (both were intraductal papillomas). You will have to go back for followup tests at 6 months. 

I would definitely want them to go ahead and do the excisional because any other kind of biopsy showed papilloma, they would have to do the excisional anyway, so just go ahead and do it. I only took the biggie pain meds the first day, switched to Aleve after that. Had to be careful w/ exercise/bouncing for a week or so.

Not to scare you, but at my six-month followup in June 14, I was diagnosed w/ my BC, low grade adenosquamous carcinoma. From what I read, this can sometimes come from intraductal papillomas, so that's why you want them to remove the whole papilloma, and you definitely want to keep current on your testing.

EDIT: I should have said my papillomas were all benign, so don't worry right now that you have cancer.

Pattyshothouse

Thanks,  I had the surgery 2 days ago, he cut about 3/4 around my areola, and honestly it looks like he used a hacksaw.  I was told i have dissolvable stitches underneath and dermaglue around the skin.  He told my husband that when it heals I shouldn't even see a scar;  I don't know about that because it looks really bad.  I will get results on Tuesday. 

Straitlover

Once it heals, use Bio Oil on it. I did that, and you can't even see my left scar anymore (was cut the same way). I started it on the right, but now that I will be losing mine w/ the BMX, I stopped for now. I will start back after my BMX heals.

Good luck on the results!!!

Pattyshothouse

thanks, Sorry about your BMX, that's got to su**!    My surgeon told me I need to come back in 1 week after the surgery, I called the office to schedule that and they tell me they can't get me in for another 3 weeks,  Is this normal?   Do I just leave the boob alone and hope for the best?  I called for my results and the schedular couldn't give me that info and I've been waiting on the nurse to call with the results all day. 

Pattyshothouse

Hi all,  I think I have a small dilemma.  Today is 1 week since my incisional biopsy and the derma bond glue that was put around my areola started to fall off last night.   A small chunk came off and the rest of it looks like the edges are all starting to lift.  My surgeon is on vacation and my follow up appointment is still another 2 week's away.  I was supposed to have my follow up 7-10 days after surgery but apparently he is booked solid.   Is this derma bond glue supposed to start falling off on day 6 after surgery?   Much still remains but it's like cracking and looks like it could easily peel off.  Should I just leave it alone

mawhinney

Rather than talking with a scheduler, have you tried to directly contact your doctor's nurse or medical assistant about your concerns? Usually when a doctor is on vacation, another doctor is available to handle problems. Before having any procedure, I have learned to ask when and how I will receive test results. I also ask exactly who will be preforming the procedure and if the surgeon will be  readily available during my recovery period.

sarahjane7374

My glue peeled off and my PS told me it was ok, he even peeled some off me himself.  I don't remember how close that was to the surgery date though.

I can't believe your surgeon told you to come in a week after surgery, but you can't get an appointment?? That's crazy.  And no, I don't think that's normal.  Not where I go, anyway...

Can you leave a message for the surgeon to call you back?  Then you can ask about the glue and let him know about the appointment situation.  I'd try to bypass that scheduler for sure....

Anonymous

Pattyshot...:

Of course I have no idea about YOUR situation.  The closest I came was when I had my mastectomy.  I came away with a gorgeous scar, no stapes or stitches showing, it had just been glued.  I didn't even know it had been glued except that something kept flaking under my armpit (the scar goes from sternum to axillary/armpit area), and I didn't understand what it was.  It was just flaking off like a bit of dried super-glue.  For ME, my incision was not affected. 

I ALSO was told by the surgeon to set an appointment when I was draining "x" number of cc's (or less) from my drains.  I was very anxious, so I called the very day it happened.  I knew I wanted to get in very soon because I'd heard that the longer they're left in, the more difficult they are to remove. But they said they could not see more for another 10 days or so (I'd stopped draining maybe a week after surgery, so waiting an EXTRA 10 days meant MORE than doubling the time, and I didn't know how that would affect me).  So I explained that the doctor said I needed to be seen within "x" days of reaching my drainage goal (she had given me some number, but I don't know what it was), and they "found" some time to see me (I mean, it only took a 10 minute appointment for follow up and drain removal).  I know 10 minutes multiplied by a ton of patients is a lot of time, but she doesn't see that many patients. 

Best luck to ya.

Pattyshothouse

Yes, I've talked to the nurse, and was told if I get a fever or it looks infected then they can put me in with one of the other doctor's in the group. Otherwise, I need to wait for my appointment.  I put some butterfly band aids on it.  I've had to spine surgeries all within the last year and a half and That surgeon made sure I was seen 1 week after surgery, then every 2 weeks for the first 6 weeks.  There's a big difference here. 

Anonymous

Why does it concern you that the glue is coming off.  Mine seemed like it was supposed to be flaking off. It was just excess. Does it seem like your incision is not secure?

Pattyshothouse

Yes, exactly.  I mean they said glue stays on at least 3-6 weeks.  Maybe that initial info was wrong?  It's suppossed to come off on day 6?  I just dont want a big gaping scar. So i put the butterfly band aids on, its a very long incision.  Maybe I'm just being paranoid. IDK. I've been through a lot. 

Anonymous

Ohhhh.  Gosh, I don't know.  Mine started flaking within maybe a day.  But that was under my arm, I didn't really SEE anything at all on the area that used to be my breast.  I was AMAZED that I looked "healed" the very day I went home. But I think that is unusual.  I am complimented by docs on my scar all the time (well, my surgeon is complimented).  But mine was a mastectomy; I'm sure they're very different procedures.  I am flabbergasted a doctor's office is saying they won't see a patient who needs to be seen. We know there are only so many hours in the day, but then they shouldn't overbook.  That's just a recipe for a lawsuit. 

"Ummm..yeah...memba when I called begging to be seen and you refused to see me"?    Wonder if you should call and say it IS looking infected (one of the nurse's qualifying conditions).