Waiting for results on growing lump

ShyBlonde

Hello everyone,

I have a lump (still undiagnosed) in my breast which is hard, painful when pressure is applied, and seems to be growing. I have an appointment for next week but I am nervous about it now as I've had it a while and was put under the impression that it would go away on it's own.

Here is my story:

I found a lump in my breast back in June 2017. It was smaller than it is now and it actually makes a slight bulge on my breast. It is hard and can be painful when pressure is applied. I was sent for an ultrasound upon physical examination by my doctor. After my initial ultrasound they called me and said to make an appointment after 6 months to go for another ultrasound. Nobody informed me what it was, all I know is that they thought it was a cyst. It was never diagnosed.

Six months later I went for another ultrasound. Nobody has contacted me about the results this time. I recently made an appointment with my doctor for another look at it as it has gotten bigger and I am more aware of it being there considering it's size. About a month ago the pores on my breast seemed enlarged and that area of skin felt rough and was slightly red. This only lasted a week, then it seemed to resolve.

I honestly don't know what to expect. Not knowing is becoming frustrating as I want the lump to be dealt with since it is becoming more uncomfortable with it's increasing size. Whatever it is I do not feel it will resolve on it's own.

Can anyone provide some insight on the matter? I know nobody can tell me what it is, but does it have characteristics of one type of breast lump over others? Also, are there questions I should ask my doctor at the appointment in order to receive more clarification or action?

teachermomfl

Try to get a copy of your ultrasound to confirm it's a cyst. Cysts can, and will grow. I have a lot of cysts in my breasts, and when they become big enough that they bother me, I just have them aspirated. It sounds as though they aren't too concerned about it, but it's always a good idea to get a copy of the ultrasound to confirm. If it is a cyst, ask your doctor about aspiration since it's bothering you. Good luck!

MelissaDallas

There is a breakdown in communication somewhere. You need copies of the reports from both the June & December reports, because there WEREfindings on both ultrasounds. You just don't know what those findings were.

ShyBlonde

Thank you for the responses, they helped ease my nerves for a while.

However, I have an update and am now left scrambling for answers again. During my appointment with my doctor she seemed convinced it was a cyst. So we decided to get it drained. I had to wait for a call from the local hospital to book an appointment. I received that call today and the woman on the phone told me I would be going in for a biopsy and asked if I was aware of this. I was not. She also notified me that the ultrasound appeared more solid than cyst like, hence the biopsy. She also inquired if the lump in question went away, then came back or if it was the same one. I told her it was the same, and that it's been gradually getting larger, it doesn't fluctuate as far as I can tell. Does this help them indicate what it is at all? Should I be more concerned in light of this news or not?

I was also told I may or not be sore after the biopsy and that I could drive myself to and from the appointment. Would it be better to go to the appointment with someone else if I'm able to?

MelissaDallas

I drove myself and stopped at the store and bought groceries on the way home.

ShyBlonde, it really doesn't matter what they are calling it. One way or another they are going to stick a needle in it and attempt to draw off fluid and/or take samples.

I had a really similar situation where it was unclear if I had a complex cyst or if it was just a normal inframmary lymph node. When she stuck it with the needle it collapsed more with each pass, so that solved that! They did send samples to pathology, but it was just cyst/fibrocystic changes.

ShyBlonde

I have an update.

My biopsy was today and they wanted to perform a core needle biopsy. So they made the incision and attempted to remove a sample. They weren't able to get a sample with the core biopsy method. They said the tissue was too hard and it wouldn't go in. So they switched to fine needle. The first attempt at a fine needle failed as well; the needle bent. Then they were finally able to get a sample with a shorter needle.

When they have the needle inside of the breast is it normal to feel it poking around, and to feel the stab when they attempt to draw a sample?

The doctor stated he believes it to be a fibroadenoma. I'm somewhat confused how it went from cyst to fibroadenoma. Anyways, he also said that the fine needle isn't as accurate as a core biopsy. Should this concern me much?

I believe I want to get it removed once the diagnosis is in. It's uncomfortable and increasing in size.

MelissaDallas, thank you for all of your input! How sore were you after the procedure? Mine feels quite sore, but could that just be from them having to perform multiple attempts?