indentation and lump

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texasgirl150
texasgirl150 Member Posts: 23
edited June 2014 in High Risk for Breast Cancer

hi everyone! i posted about a month ago regarding some problems i was having. now i have a new one. i found a small, pea sized lump on my left breast. i had previously (a few weeks before) had my mammogram and it only showed an asymmetrical density, which i was told was not a concern. i really liked the dr. she could feel the lump, but said that it did not "feel" like cancer.  the specialist said that because they could not see it on he scan, a biopsy would have to be surgical. she suggested a sonogram and said unless the sono shows something, then lets check it again in 3 months. i had the sono and it showed nothing.

last week, as i was getting out the shower, i saw an indentation just above my nipple on that same side. that is pretty close to where the lump is. also, my skin looks just slightly bruised there (just above the arreola).  the indentation is only noticeable when the nipple is erect.

any guesses on what this may mean? i have not called the dr yet, as there has just been too much going on and i have not had time to call.

my mother was a 2 times breast cancer survivor~

 One more thing-the radiologist made a notation on the mammo report that because of the family history, i should have an MRI. i was scheduled to have one, but it was subsequently cancelled because i am allergic to the contrast. 

thank you in advance for your replies. 

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  • Makratz
    Makratz Member Posts: 12,678
    edited February 2010

    Hi Texasgirl,

    My suggestion to you is to call the doctor and get a biopsy.  Don't take no for an answer.  My cancer was discovered buy me, 2 months after a mammo.  I also have dense breasts.  I truly hope yours is nothing, but with your family history, you need to be checked out ASAP.  If it is cancer, you want to remove it before it has time to travel through your body.  Please call your doctor today!

    XOXOXO

    Linda

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  • GrammyNancy
    GrammyNancy Member Posts: 666
    edited February 2010

    Please have this checked out.  My BC presented as a indentation.  With your family history it is better to be safe than sorry.  Please let us know how things turn out.

    Hugs,

    Nancy

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  • Joviangeldeb
    Joviangeldeb Member Posts: 213
    edited February 2010

    i agree with the others.  I suggest making an appointment with your doctor and insist on a biopsy.  I went to my ob/gyn to get the results of a mammo and ultrasound I'd had the week prior after discovering a large mass in my breast.  When I got there, they still hadn't received the results from the imaging center.  He felt my lump and told me he thought it was benign by the way it felt and specifically named a type of benign tumor which I cannot recall the name of.  He told the nurse to have my results faxed then excused himself to review them.  When he came back he informed me I had cancer. So there is no way for a doctor to diagnose a mass or density on the way a mass or density feels.  I had a biopsy and it confirmed it was breast cancer. 

    Keep us posted and I wish you the best.

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  • texasgirl150
    texasgirl150 Member Posts: 23
    edited February 2010

    I will call. Does it matter that the indentation is only visible when the nipple is erect? I have never heard of that. I have been putting my issues on the back burner because my fathers girlfriend was just diagnosed with lung cancer :( very sad. we love her dearly and my father in devastated. We lost my mother to brain cancer almost 4 years ago, and this will be VERY hard on my dad. 

    thank you for your above responses. 

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  • texasgirl150
    texasgirl150 Member Posts: 23
    edited March 2010

    does anyone know if it matters if the indentation is only visible when the nipple is erect?

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  • GrammyNancy
    GrammyNancy Member Posts: 666
    edited March 2010

    I really don't know the answer to your question.....my indent showed all the time.

    That is so sad about your Father's girlfriend....I will keep your family in my prayers.

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  • texasgirl150
    texasgirl150 Member Posts: 23
    edited March 2010

    I called the breast specialist. She is going to see me on Monday. I'm nervous! Are there benign reasons for an indentation to appear. This morning I saw another one on the same breast. This was on the outter side. It was long-about 2 inches. Much more noticeable when i raise my arms up.

    thank you for your responses above. i really do not have a woman to go to now that my mom has passed.

    Grammy-yes, we are very upset about my dad's girlfriend. she is having the gamma knife procedure in the morning to zap the brain met. i have heard, and read, good things about the procedure, but she is understandably nervous.

    thanks again girls~ 

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  • dee1961
    dee1961 Member Posts: 1,672
    edited March 2010

    Let us know how it goes. Good luck on Monday :)

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  • GrammyNancy
    GrammyNancy Member Posts: 666
    edited March 2010

    Hope that your father's girlfriend's procedure went well....I've also heard some very good things about the gamma knife procedure.

    You will be in my thoughts and prayers for Monday.  Try to do something fun this weekend to keep your mind off things.  Waiting is so hard.

    Hugs

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  • texasgirl150
    texasgirl150 Member Posts: 23
    edited March 2010

    I went to the dr. today. she could not see the indention, as you can only see it when the nipple it erect and it was like 80 degs in there. she told me that the radiologist again recommended a breast mri, however, she does not think it is necessary at this time. i feel very conflicted right now. 

    she recommended another sonogram next month which would be 3 months since the last one. i get the feeling that this is what she wants to do for a while.

     ultimately, it is up to me on the mri, but there are a lot of false positives with it, so i am told. 

    i DO NOT know what to do??????

    dad's girlfriends brain met is gone!!!!! so happy about that!!! the gamma knife did ZAP IT!

    suggestions anyone>>

     thanks

    jen 

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  • keepthefaith
    keepthefaith Member Posts: 2,156
    edited March 2010

    Jen,

    Just a suggestion, but, if you haven't gotten your reports from your tests, please get them...

    I had conflicting MRI and U/S reports and my (no longer) Dr said to come back in May...

    I decided to get my records, read them and radiologist recommended a biopsy, which I am hoping to FINALLY get done this wk or next thru another Dr. So, long story short, my Dr dropped the ball and did not order the biopsy that the radiologist recommended. Yes, I am freaked out and mad, but, I am glad I did not wait until May! I don't think that was the right Dr for me. What part of Tx are you in? I am in close to Austin.

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  • GryffinSong
    GryffinSong Member Posts: 439
    edited March 2010

    My breast surgeon once said something that I'll never forget. She said until you have tissue in your hands to test, you can't be 100% certain of anything. I hate biopsies with a passion. The needles, the fear of seeding a new site, the waiting for results. But a biopsy totally rocks in terms of useful information. I would insist.

    Hugs and best wishes!!!

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  • texasgirl150
    texasgirl150 Member Posts: 23
    edited March 2010

    keepthefaith: I live in san antonio. there are some excellent drs. here. i like my dr.  She is a breast specialist. I  just feel like, after reading so many stories here and on other websites, that enough is not being done and that i am politely being treated like some paranoid crazy lady!

    I'm thinking now of maybe getting a second opinion or maybe i am making something out of nothing.

    i do not know. i guess i need to think about it some more. i have the lump, then indentation and the only thing that showed up on any of the scans was an asymmetric density (mammo). i have not picked up the report for the last sonogram, so i will go get that. 

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  • keepthefaith
    keepthefaith Member Posts: 2,156
    edited March 2010

    Glad you are going  to pick up your reports and maybe also get a second opinion. If you decide to get the breast  MRI done, it is really not that big of a deal...actually kind of a funny contraption:) The Breast MRI was the only imaging test that detected a problem in my breast, so, do consider it. I have dense breasts and I think that may be why the other tests couldn't find anything. Keep us posted.

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  • texasgirl150
    texasgirl150 Member Posts: 23
    edited March 2010

    I contacted another breast specialist and have an appt. for march 29....long time from now :( i will go get all the reports and copies of the mammo and sonograms between now and then. if there is something bad in there, is all of this time (found the lump in jan.) gonna be a problem?

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  • GrammyNancy
    GrammyNancy Member Posts: 666
    edited March 2010

    When mine was confirmed by Breast Specialist, he told me that it had probably been there for 8 to 10 years so I don't think waiting a couple of weeks will be a problem.   Much better than waiting 3 months.  Waiting is so hard, try to keep yourself busy.

    Hugs,

    Nancy

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  • TNgolfer
    TNgolfer Member Posts: 253
    edited March 2010

    texas girl,

    It does, indeed, take a few months for a cancerous cell to grow.  But like you I had an indentation; the nipple was starting to invert (or turn).  After two benign biopsy's (one done by the hospital who did a sonogram and thought they saw something) and the 2nd done by a qualified breast surgeon (it was sonogram-guided).  She told me we could wait, but she was concerned.  Nipples don't indent or change for no reason!  She did a hook-wire guided excision (lumpectomy) and it was indeed invasive lobular carcinoma. 

    I also don't know how anyone can tell you that something doesn't "feel" like cancer.  This cancer did not show up on 2 mammograms and the first two biopsies were benign!  You are wise to get another opinion.  I agree with Nancy, time is on your side.

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  • texasgirl150
    texasgirl150 Member Posts: 23
    edited March 2010

    thank you all for all of your responses and words of wisdom! i really appreciate it. After this next appt, i will update you on what happens.

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  • texasgirl150
    texasgirl150 Member Posts: 23
    edited March 2010

    hi there~ I'm back again:)  Ok- now I have another lump under the nipple-rock hard and small. this is on the same breast as the other lump and indentation. I called the surgeon who did my breast biopsy 10 years ago and scheduled an appt for March 22. i cannot stand all this not knowing anymore!!!!! this has been going on since january. I know I am probably overeacting, but i cannot stand it!!!!!

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  • GrammyNancy
    GrammyNancy Member Posts: 666
    edited March 2010

    There is no such thing as over reacting....you know your body....and if you are concerned you need to have your mind put at ease.  Understand that 80% of problems are B9...we still worry until we know.  You have done the right thing in my opinion.

    Hugs and prayers coming your way.....hang in there girl, we are here for you.

    Nancy

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  • GrammyNancy
    GrammyNancy Member Posts: 666
    edited March 2010

    Texasgirl,

    Just wanted to let you know that you will be in my thoughts and prayers tomorrow when you go for your appointment.  Sending good vibes and gentle hugs to you.

    Let us know how things go.....we care.

    Nancy

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  • OnePetie
    OnePetie Member Posts: 68
    edited March 2010

    Hi Texasgirl,

    I'm here in San Antonio with you! Glad you are tenacious and will be seen by someone tomorrow.

    You're right...San Antonio does have some excellent physicians/hospitals. I'm a patient at MD Anderson in Houston...it is recognized nationally and internationally as a leading cancer center. I hated to pass up the opportunity to take advantage of that since it's in our backyard, so to speak.

    Please let us know how your appointment goes tomorrow! I'll be thinking of you.....

    Che

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  • texasgirl150
    texasgirl150 Member Posts: 23
    edited March 2010

    thanks ladies! i'll let you know how it goes. i'm a bit nervous, but feeling good that i'm being proactive :) Che54: was your surgeon in SA? if so, who was it?

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  • OnePetie
    OnePetie Member Posts: 68
    edited March 2010

    Texasgirl:

     No, as soon as my initial path report came back, I called MD Anderson and entered their system. I had my mastectomy and recon surgeries done there and I continue to see my oncologist there as well.

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  • texasgirl150
    texasgirl150 Member Posts: 23
    edited March 2010

    Well...... I went and saw the surgeon yesterday. My husband went with me. He was not overly concerned about the lump, but slightly concerned about the indentation.  he spent about an hour talking with us about all the possibilities etc... He would like to see me get the MRI rather than the biopsy first. He said that he felt comfortable that if the MRI did not show anything, then we could hold off on a surgical biopsy. He went on to say that if I am going to still want the surgical biopsy, regardless of the MRI findings, then not to bother with the MRI. Soooo, I'm again conflicted and need to make a decision.  He did say that he got a call earlier yesterday morning from a radiologist that is starting a clinical trial for a new contrast material. Dr. said he would get more information  and if i am interested, the clinical trial would pay for the mri :)  we talked a lot about genetic testing. he would like to see me to do it, however i cannot really afford it, unless the insurance company is going to pick up 100% of the cost. further, i might go literally crazy if i tested positive, so i do not think i really want to know that information. my husband agreed that the mri was probably the better route right now. thoughts?

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  • AnacortesGirl
    AnacortesGirl Member Posts: 1,758
    edited March 2010

    Not sure why the surgeon would say not to bother with the MRI if you do the excisional.  If they find something in the biopsy than I would think they'd want to do an MRI to see if there is anything else in the breast.  That's what happened to me after they removed 1 tumor during the biopsy.

    If it were me (knowing what I know now) and I had been given an option I would go for the MRI first.  Not only would that show if there is something there that may need further dx'ing (potentitally with a surgical biopsy) it would also show the other breast to make sure it's clear.  Had I started with the MRI first then it probably would have been redundant to perform the excisional.  I would have gone straight to neoadjuvant chemo.

    MRIs are easy in the scheme of things.  Just an IV with the contrast and 30 minutes of laying in the machine.  If you have anxiety issues then you can ask ahead of time for an ativan to help calm you.

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  • lorieg
    lorieg Member Posts: 802
    edited March 2010

    Hmmmm, a MRI is easy, but a core biopsy is also relatively easy and painless in the grand scheme of things.  Not sure I would be comfortable with a "normal" MRI unless I had the biopsy.  Just my 2 cents.

    Best of luck to you! 

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  • texasgirl150
    texasgirl150 Member Posts: 23
    edited March 2010

    I have pretty well decided to go with the MRI for now. Lets hope that premedication works, as I am allergic to the contrast!!! I know you lay on your tummy for this, but are you "locked in" like when you have a mammo?

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  • lorieg
    lorieg Member Posts: 802
    edited March 2010

    No, you just lay on your stomach....it is not my favorite MRI (I have had breast, thoracic, and brain) but it is tolerable!  Good luck!

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  • AnacortesGirl
    AnacortesGirl Member Posts: 1,758
    edited March 2010

    Each of us are different on what we tolerate and what bothers us.  I don't have any problems with the MRI - part of that is because it is so much better than the PET scans that I've had.

    At the breast center I go to they have a very comfortable form that you lay face down on.  Your face lays on a hollowed out area so it's just padding around the edge of the face and in the hollow area, where your mouth, nose and eyes are, air is being gently blown.  I've done this locally and they don't have as nice a form and don't have the hollow area.  Not as comfortable but doable.  Your given a panic button in case you need immediate help.  But the techs will be talking to you through speakers and they can also hear you.  The 30 minutes is divided into multiple test that may last 30 sec, 1.5 min, 2.5, etc.  The techs will be talking to you and letting you know how long the next test will last.  So, in case you do have any issues, it is easy to stop, get you comfortable again and move through the next test.

    During the test the machine will be making very noisy thumping, knocking sounds.  Weird sounds, but I don't find it troubling.

    Just a warning here.  I was extremely disappointed at my local hospital when I got one of my MRIs.  The techs did not talk to me to keep my informed of how long the next test was going to last or how much time was left.  I just assumed that they would do that so I didn't explictly ask them.  It was on the tip of my tongue and I should have said something.  I find the tech talking to you is reassuring and let's you know that the test is progressing OK and will be ending soon.

    I have more problems with the PET.  With that scan you lay face up, get velcro'ed so you can't move, and then have to lay there for an hour to an hour and a half.  In my case I'm part of an imaging study so they do 2 30-min scans and 2 1-hour scans.  Three hours total.  Not fun.

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