Not diagnosed but confused about a secind opinion

Anonymous

Not diagnosed but confused about a secind opinion

hm888

I'm 29 years of age and went to my doctor with a swollen and tender lump under my left arm. He had a feel, put me on a course of antibiotics and said go home and do a self check. Well the tenderness was gone the next day (so I would guess too early to be deemed antibiotic responsive) but I felt a chain of lumps in my right breast. They feel nodular and firm and I can easily grab them. So I went back and he referred me for an ultrasound. The tech (?) spent minimal time and said she couldn't see anything. By this time, my arm pit was sore again but she could not locate any of the lumps I was feeling (she could feel them, but not see with the ultrasound). So back to my doctor and he said good news, "probably just ropey breast tissue" (no mention of the underarm). I mentioned to him that I'd thought about it, and felt if he told me it's normal, it wouldn't sit right with me. He said it's a "bit overkill" to refer me to a breast specialist and he thinks all is normal.

So I left it be. 2 weeks later, my right armpit was swollen and tender, exactly like the left was previously. The left is no longer tender but I can still feel a soft tissue mass. The breast lumps feel the same. Within a day or two, the right underarm feels normal again. 1 week later, the left is swollen, tender and when I raise my arm, there's a large obvious swelling.

I feel a bit like he'll think I'm silly going back but should I be going back, getting a second opinion or requesting some bloods etc?

djmammo

hm888

Can you post the ultrasound reports?

Moderators

It seems that since you continue to have symptoms, it is reasonable to either return to your physician to discuss, or seek a second opinion. We are sorry to hear what you are going through!

hm888

djmammo

Thanks, I couldn't upload an image but the report states:

Pathologist's report:

Ultrasound of breasts

Ultrasound of both breasts was performed. Normal fibroglandular tissue is seen bilaterally with no solid or cystic lesions identified. No calcification or abnormal vascularity is evident. Axillary lymph nodes are not enlarged.

Region of interest supermedial right breast appears normal.

Conclusion:

Normal examination.

The breast ultrasound does not negate the need to further investigate a clinically suspicious lesion as there is a small false negative rate associated with breast ultrasound.

djmammo

hm888

That is a normal report. I assume it was issued by a radiologist? ( you said pathologist in your post ). What was the BIRADS?

Like the last line says, if there is something present on physical exam that is worrisome, keep the evaluation going.

Keep us in the loop.

hm888

I saw a technician who performed the ultrasound and she referred to the 'doctor' who would review the imaging. That's word for word on the report (pathologist)

djmammo

hm888

I would be interested to know if that is a typo on their end, or if they have no board certified radiologist reading their studies.

hm888

Thanks for your input, it's much appreciated. I can at any time request a referral to a specialist and to get some bloods taken, which may be worthwhile if it's my lymph nodes reacting here and there.