Large 5cm Breast Lump Found. Any similiar experience please?

KSK

Hi everyone. I'm 33 with 2 children & I'm on here today as I'm worried - very worried & I'm hoping some of you kind people could share any similar experiences. I'm aware everyone is different but I need to share with you where I am...

I detected a small grape size lump under my right armpit towards my right breast, probably 4 months ago. I ignored it because I'm right handed & I'm more muscled on the right therefore I could feel more (I've a physical job). Anyhow, a few weeks ago I had a dull ache in my right shoulder & within a few weeks re-feeling this lump it's now HUGE & painful! Yikes I thought & booked a Drs appointment.

Drs says, it's 5cm x 5cm irregular shape & firm but movable. She's now sending me for an emergency Ultrasound scan. The Dr that day went from being lovely & bubbly initially, to examining me & looking concerned! She couldn't tell me or shed any light on what it was. When I feel it, it feels like it's attached to my nipple as when I bend forward it makes my nipple indent slightly. It doesn't feel smooth like a ball, it feels granular. Also I’ve now noticed my nipple is slightly darker & tingling / sensitive but the other nipple is fine & normal.

This was 2 days ago so I am waiting on this appointment for further tests... Do I need to be really concerned? I’m so cross with myself for not going to the Drs sooner but like most Mums, everyone else comes first. I pray someone hears my post...

ElaineTherese

Hi KSK!

I also had a 5 cm+ lump, which as you can see from my signature turned out to be cancer. I can't tell you whether or not you should be concerned, but you've done the right things. You visited your doctor, who has ordered an ultrasound.

You shouldn't beat yourself up for not checking earlier. You're 33, which means that you're on the young side for breast cancer. No one expects breast cancer when age 33 (not that anyone knows whether or not you have cancer yet). Hoping your ultrasound finds a benign condition!

illimae

My tumor was large too and seemed to appear out of nowhere. My case alsoturned out to be cancer and unfortunately, stage IV from the get go, hopefully this it not the same situation for you but should you be diagnosed with BC, it is treatable, scary sure but it gets more manageable with a good team and clear plan.

djmammo

KSK

For clarification: Is this 5 cm mass in your arm pit or your breast? Is there a mass in both?

Let us know the imaging results when you can. They might want to biopsy it same day so don't take any Motrin until then or they might put off the biopsy (delays clotting).

KSK

Hi Elaine & illimae, thank you kindly for both replying & sharing your stories. I’m sorry to hear yours both resulted in cancer but it certainly sounds like you’re on the road to recovery or recovered. Can I ask you both, did either of you show any other similar symptoms as me, e.g. the pain, feel of your lump? I know every case is different & I’m trying to be optimistic.

Djmammo - again thank you for responding. The Dr palpated & measured it at 5cm. I have very small A cupbreasts so I originally found it by directing my hand under my armpit & along towards my nipple. The mass is now huge in comparison to my breast so it’s from where I originally felt it to my nipple & including (hope that makes sense)(?). To confirm it’s just the 1 mass but grown. Of course I’ll keep the thread updated but no date for imaging as yet.

ElaineTherese

KSK,

My lump also produced a nipple indent and did not feel round. But, it wasn't really movable. I felt some shooting pains, but touching the lump wasn't painful.

Denise-G

My cancerous lump was 6 cm or the size of a tennis ball - I was large busted and could not feel it as it was near the chest wall.

I diligently did breast exams but even though it was huge, did not feel it.. Although I had 9 positive nodes, I felt nothing

under my arm. Other symptoms I had - increased body odor, pain in breast, and that is about it.

Sending you all my best - so hard to wait to know what is happening, especially at your young age. Totally overwhelming.

KSK

Denise-G. Thank you so much for commenting & sharing your experience with a large mass too. Mine is absolutely attached to the back of my areloa / nipple so it’s very easy to palpate. Although I’ve been put on an urgent MRI list, these 2 weeks will be the longest. The more I read (wrongly or rightly) it seems the larger the mass e.g 5cm + the more likely it is to be something concerning.

illimae

KSK, I had no pain or other symptoms. My 1st and only previous mammo 18 months prior was clear, the advanced stage and spread to a spot on my hip bone were a complete shock. I think it's good to be optimistic, the odds of a benign cause are statistically in your favor.

KSK

Hello again. I’ve not yet received dates for my ‘urgent fast track referal’ etc & it’s working day 3 today so praying for some contact from the hospital.

Quick question (as I can’t find anything on it) Can you get nipple / areloa changes with a benign mass? Obviously I have these nipple changes otherwise I wouldn’t be asking but looking online I’m struggling to find other breast lump conditions that would cause changes to the nipple?

Any advice / experience would be wonderful. Going out of my mind here...

KSK

So... I had an appointment with a consultant today, he palpated & couldn’t tell me anymore than the Dr told me, only that it’s oval shaped. I’m now (again)waiting on Ultrasound & Biopsy date.

wallan

Hi KSK:

I had a 7 cm tumor and I had small breasts too. My nipple did start to pull in. I was 41 then.

That was almost 14 years ago. No recurrance yet.

Hugs to you.

ElaineTherese

Ugh! Sorry to hear you're still waiting. There are a number of benign breast cancer conditions that may affect the shape of your breasts. Hope you have one of them!

KSK

Still waiting... Now I've realised the lump I first palpated 6 months ago is actually a swollen lymph node (& still swollen). The larger mass I've recently noticed is separate. This is not good I'm assuming?

Denise-G

KSK - what is going on??

KSK

Hi Denise-G

Thank you for asking, I’m still waiting on Ultrasound & Biopsy date (I’m expecting it through any day now) as I’m under an ‘urgent referal’ which is within 2 weeks. Obviously I’m going out of my mind with scenarios but I’ve a ‘niggle’ it’s not good but trying to remain optimistic..

Denise-G

KSK - thanks for update. SO HARD WAITING...thinking of you. Keep us posted!

KSK

So... Ultrasound first thing tomorrow morning. I’m incredibly nervous. Wish me luck 🍀

GreenEyes81

great

Carin123

Best of Luck KSK, Will be thinking about you!

Sourisou

Wishing you the best of luck KSK!

I had a big, benign fibroadenoma popping out of nowhere this year - 4 cm, very hard, movable and alternating between tender and painless (I had cancer in the same breast but totally unrelated). I hope it will be the same for you!

KSK

Thank you all so very much for your kind well wishes... I will post tomorrow when I know more. Blessings to you all, not only are you survivors but saviours too x

KBeee

Hoping for good news for you!!!!!

KSK

Hello everyone... Firstly a HUGE thank you for all your kind messages & support. Secondly, I'm so pleased to say all is well! I had my ultrasound scan & it showed several cysts (which I can't feel) & this large lump I could feel was also a cyst but it had become infected, hence why both Dr & Consultant couldn't tell by palpation (as it was hard)! The infection explains my nipple changes & enlarged lymph nodes! I shall move along to the 'benign breast' conditions now. Thank you all so much again. You are all in my thoughts & prayers x

Denise-G

Very, very glad to hear this for you! Enjoy those kids!!

cj8281

Hi KSK,

I am experiencing something similar. Did you do a biopsy?

Chrissy

Moderators

Hi cj87281,

Welcome to the forums! We hope that you find the support and information that you came here for.

Just letting you know that this thread has been inactive for the last couple of months so you may not receive any responses here.

You can always PM the member above and ask her directly if you don't here from her.

Wishing you well,

The Mods.

Keer8

hi.. I'm 28. I have a hard lump behind my left breast nipple. It doesn't look lik movable, its firm and painless. It is around 2cm. I'm having this lump for more than 10 years now. I thought it will ggo away over time, now that it is still there, I'm more concerned. But It has not grown much over the years.

Since past year or two, I'm noticing small lumps in the right breast, one near armpit. And two small ones just below the left collar bone. All are painless, but these look lik a fluid one, not sure though. My breast skin is also very dry.

I have very dense breasts, so I have scheduled Sure Touch examination for next week(also I'm scared of mammograms). I'm so confused and worried to know what it could be. This is going to be my first breast examination. Please share your thoughts what this lump could be.

Moderators

Hi Keer, and welcome! If it helps ease your mind while you wait, in this article you can learn more on some of the benign lumps and conditions that can come from testing:

What Mammograms Show: Calcifications, Cysts, Fibroadenomas

Let us know how it goes!

The Mods

Keer8

Hi Moderators,

Thank you for sharing this link. It was really informative. I'm hoping it to be Fibroadenomas. I'll update you guys once I'm done with my test on Thursday!

mustlovepoodles

I second the advice to get a second opinion. You'll be working together for quite a while, so you really have to have a good amount of trust in your surgeon. It would be worth your time to seek out a surgeon at a bigger hospital, even if you have to travel a couple hours. (My breast surgeon and oncologist are both 3 hours away.)