What are possibilities for mass inside duct?

Heghog

Hi. I had a diagnostic mammogram and ultrasound because I have a palpable lump. The radiologist didn’t end up meeting with me at all, but instead sent a nurse navigator to schedule me the first available ultrasound guided biopsy appointment with a breast surgeon oncologist. I go on Monday. I’m so nervous.

Information that I gathered from the nurse was:

1. They can see the lump on imaging but don’t know what it is.

2. There was a dilated duct with debris.

Info I got from my referring doctor:

1. Bi-rads 4

2. 5mm mass in duct

3. Mass is 20mm from nipple

I’m a nervous wreck. Everything that I’ve read seems to lead me to believe that it’s too far from the nipple to likely be a harmless papilloma. Can a cyst Or Fibroadenoma grow inside a duct? I’m only 31, but I doesn't seem like I’m going to get a good result. I’m scared

Ssc110907

hi there. I cant really answer your question...as I'm in the same boat. But just wanted to say hi.

I'm 33, found a lump and went in. Did an ultrasound, mammogram and biopsy. And they ended up finding very dense breasts, a 6mm mass in the duct along with dialated ducts,and then 2 other masses. (I could only feel 1 out of the 3).

My biopsy report actually came back good..with no malignancy found. But my PCP is sending me to Seattle Cancer Care on Wednesday for a second opinion(her wanting), and for further testing. She said there are way too many red flags for her to be comfortable waiting 6 months for follow up testing. So we shall see what unfolds on Wednesday.

But as far as the mass in the duct, my biopsy report really didnt say what it was. It just said "fibroadipose tissue and nipple tissue found. No malignancy present."

From what I've read, that just doesnt seem right. Almost like the biopsy tested the wrong spot. My pcp questioned this too.

Heghog

Thank you so much for answering. I'm sorry that you're going through this, too. What kind of doctor did your biopsy? It does seem weird for fibroadipose tissue to be inside of a duct. I would be worried they got the wrong spot, too.

The breast surgeon they are sending me to tomorrow is supposedly going to do the biopsy herself during an ultrasound

Ssc110907

the radiologist did the Biopsy with ultrasound for me. It wasnt too bad. I had 3 areas they went in for, so it was a little more activity for that breast than if it was just one spot.

The biopsy of the mass in the duct had the most PRESSURE in it for me. It was really hard for her to get the needle through the milk duct lining. So she had to put a lot of strength into it.

And the recovery for that area was the hardest out of the 3. It wasnt bad...but I did just have lots of off nerve sensations for that following week. Felt like my nipple was overly sensitive to everything and anything. So more of an annoyance that pain.

Ssc110907

Heghog- how did your biopsy go? Will you get results tomorrow? How are you feeling?

Heghog

She couldn't find the mass or debris in a duct at all. She did take a core needle biopsy of the lump itself. She said that she wasn't worried about it, and expects benign results.

The more I think about it, the more concerned I am that she didn't find the duct issue. Her ultrasound equipment was much older than the one last week, and watching the screen, it didn't look the same as what they were looking at last week at all. I am trying to get copies of my report and imaging from last week, so I can see if she missed it or if I was just told incorrect info previously.

She is a breast surgeon, so I feel confused. I don't know if I'm over worrying. I just feel like it doesn't make sense

Heghog

I should get results from the biopsy that she did take on Wednesday or Thursday

Ssc110907

Oh man. That's crazy she didnt find it. So did she say if its benign you just wait 6months?

I have my appointment tomorrow. Hoping for a next step and not a "wait 6 months".

Ssc110907

how were your results?

I had my appointment with the cancer clinic. The dr was nice...but kept mentioning my age...me beingnso young (33). So I'm not sure how much of that played into her answers for me.

She noted the huge differences in breast size..but responded with "well dear, that can happen when we get a little chubby." (I may have a lil mama belly..but I'm in no way overwheight). And then she just moved on. I feel like there is obviously a reason one breast is so much larger than the other(that wasnt like that 3 months ago)...but it didnt seem to matter to her.

Then she pretty much just went on about cysts are normal, and I'm sure you will have lots of them in your life. They wont hurt you, so dont worry about them. Well...the cysts aren't what I'm worried about! It's the other masses.

As far as the other masses go, she said the pathology was reviewed, and they are benign. So I can carry on. But no answer to WHAT the masses are.

When we talked about my strong family history of cancer, she did say she wanted to follow up with genetic testing...which is what I was hoping for. But she was strongly pushing for my dad(its his side with all the cancer) to get tested before she approved me to be tested. So now I'm waiting on that...my dad with bad insurance to be tested. I hate the run around game.

Then she also booked me for another ultrasound d in 2 weeks with the breast specialist radiologist (vs. My small town radiologist) to be sure they didnt miss anything. Then she said I'm good to go until 40!!!!

Hubs and I are both not comfortable with that at this point. As annoying as 6 or 12 month ultrasounds would be...I still do have dense breast..full of cysts and 2 large masses in there...and huge family history of breast cancer. I think I would rather then keep watching them for any change.

I'm a little frustrated right now.

Heghog

They called me with the results and said that the lump was benign. It’s a Fibroadenoma, which is a benign tumor. The nurse read me the pathology report, and it didn’t mention the duct at all. She couldn’t find the duct doing an ultrasound herself, so she just biopsied the palpable lump I could feel. I’m waiting to see the surgeon that was recommended to me on Wednesday. I’m hoping she can review the conflicting reports from the radiologist and breast specialist and let me know if we need to check the duct any further.

The specialist who did the biopsy had the nurse tell me over the phone that we could either do surgery to remove the Fibroadenoma or just leave it and check it in 6 months. She said she had to preference and gave no further information. I don’t plan on taking it out unless the other surgeon is concerned after looking at the duct.

Heghog

That sounds so frustrating. I’m sorry that no one is taking you seriously. Is fibroadipose tissue the same as a Fibroadenoma? That’s what my palpable lump came back as.

Why would she need to check your dad first?

Even if she brushed you off, it’s good that she ordered the ultrasound. Hopefully that radiologist will be able to image the duct and lumps and see if they look concerning.

I would be so frustrated by how she approached you, though. The chubby comments and the age comments seem so unprofessional, without giving real information. If she was just trying to calm your nerves, it sounds like she could’ve gone about it much better