Fibroadenoma with Breast infections

rvn86

Two years ago I had a subarreolar infection.  Had it drained and took antibiotics and that was it.  Doctor's never did an US or Mammo.  Two years later (this summer 2018), I had it again.  This time I went to the hospital and doctors didn't drain it and just gave me antibiotics.  Since then I've had two ultrasounds, mammogram and biopsy on a lump that I discovered weeks after being in the hospital. It turns out I have a fibroadenoma.  I also found a lump feeling right under my nipple.  The doctor thinks is scar tissue from the infections, but why didn't I feel it before?  I continue to have pain such as sharp pains, throbbing, numbness, swollen lymph node and a small amount of fluid comes out through the side of my nipple where the infection occurred.  My surgeon said, that my symptoms aren't related to a fibroadenoma therefore she is sending me to a breast specialist.  I'm just very frustrated because I don't understand why I've had this infection twice and the pain hasn't gone away.  The infection was so bad that my whole breast was inflamed, red and pus drained out of the side of my nipple.  I haven't had any children and I'm 32 years old. What can it be?  Is it best to remove the fibroadenoma?  My surgeon says no, but my primary says yes.  

Moderators

Hi Rvn86-

We want to welcome you to BCO! We're so sorry for your ordeal, we can imagine how frustrating it's been. Many women live with fibroadenomas without any issues, but for others, they can continue to grow or cause some discomfort, or they just feel better about having them removed. Once your infection has cleared up, you can always get a second opinion from another breast surgeon, just to weigh your options!

We hope you're feeling better soon!

The Mods

Megadoo

Hi RVN. I have never had an infection like you experienced (other then mastitis 8 years ago) but I am having a fibroadenoma removed on the 20th. I have had it for four years, never an issue, never a worry until I started to have pain and discomfort in my nipple/breast a few months ago. GP referred me to a BS who looked at all my images and it shows that it has drastically changed shape. I have an IUD and don't have periods/PMS. I know they can grow with your periods, so not sure what caused mine to change. It started as a perfect smooth oval. Now it looks like a big paint splatter. The "arms/legs" still have rounded edges, thankfully. I have noticed changes in my areola color and a slight thickening of the areola skin over the fibroadenoma. Weird.

So IMO, if this could possibly be causing your discomfort I would definitely look into having it removed. No need to live with that pain if it can be removed. Not sure if it correlates to your infection, but pain is no fun.

Good luck. At least your GP is advocating for you. That's great!

rvn86

My infection cleared up in August when I was in the hospital but ever since then, I discovered the lump and the sharp pains don't go away.  I don't get them often but I still get them.  Some times it throbs for a whole day and then I won't get any pain for a couple of days.  I've experienced swollen lymph nodes, numbness in arm, throbbing in breast and extremely sharp pain that will last 1 minute and then goes away.  All these symptoms are sporadic.  I'm just not sure how this lump grew so fast and its always tender.  My breast changed a little in color.  The ultra sounds shows 3 cyst/fibroadenomas and they only biopsied the big lump.  I guess it just worries me that there are no answers as to why I keep getting symptoms when I've already taken antibiotics twice in the last 4 months.