17 Years Old, 4cm Lump?

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AnimalLoverJ
AnimalLoverJ Member Posts: 1
edited November 2014 in Benign Breast Conditions

Hello,

Ive had a rapidly growing lump in my breast for a few months now. I am 17, I just received an ultrasound for it. The doctor concluded that it is either a Fibroadenoma, or another type of tumor which doesnt stop growing, they are too similiar to each other to tell (yikes). 

Either way, it is 3.8cm large, so he referred me to a breast surgeon with the notion that it will need to be removed. I am seeing the surgeon this thursday and she will make the final decision.

I am really scared. Surgery, no matter how minor, terrifies me. My heart reaches out to the strong women who can push through this.

I'm not sure what to expect. Has anyone else had a Fibroadenoma or a tumor this size that didn't need removal? Based on your experience, is it likely I will need it removed? What should I expect from here on out? 

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  • april485
    april485 Member Posts: 3,257
    edited October 2014

    AnimalLover, your doctor knows best how to treat this. Fibroadenomas can grow very quickly so usually they remove them if they are causing any pain or growing fast. This is a benign condition and you will be yourself in no time. Hugs!

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  • anotherNYCGirl
    anotherNYCGirl Member Posts: 1,033
    edited October 2014

    AnimalLover, - Take a deep breath and try to take it easy!   

    Many young women have fibroid adenomas, - some times the doctors remove them, some times they watch them for a while.

    I was just as nervous when I was 21 (MANY years ago ) and told that I had to have a breast fibroid adenoma removed.   I waited a few weeks to see a particular doctor, but it was ok.    My surgery was done during the summer when I could take a few days off from school.   

    You are young and will heal quickly!  I know that any thought of surgery is scarey, but you will be fine!!

    Sending hugs!

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  • lekker
    lekker Member Posts: 594
    edited October 2014

    I had a 5cm lump removed from my left breast when I was 17. The breast surgeon recommended removing it not because he thought it was cancer, only because he was concerned that it was so large that it might make imaging difficult as I got older. I went on to have two more lumps removed from my left breast when I was 29 and both turned out to be benign also. When I was 42, I was diagnosed with cancer in the right breast but it was unrelated.  

    We will not be able to tell you what your doctor is going to recommend - you will have to wait for that appointment.  If he/she does recommend surgery, it will most likely be an outpatient procedure.  I healed quickly from mine.  My mom was a great help during the whole process when I was a teenager.  Do you have someone to support you through this?  You're so young - I hope someone is taking great care of you!  Come back and let us know what the surgeon says.

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  • Daisey4522
    Daisey4522 Member Posts: 88
    edited November 2014

    Hi AnimalLoverJ,

    I'm in a similar boat as you. I'm in my 20's and I have an 8 cm mass in my right breast. I had a biopsy a few years ago that was determined to be benign and I believe this is the exact same mass that has grown from less than 1 cm to 8 cm! I always told my doctors about the mass (I could feel it and I felt slightly pain sometimes) but they would always just brush me off because of my age. Finally it grew so large in the past year or 2 my OBGYN easily felt it and instantly referred me for imaging. Almost 2 months later, after multiple sonograms, mammograms, and biopsies, I have seen a breast surgeon and although it is benign they recommend I get surgery to remove the mass immediately.

    I wanted to share this with you, because I think it would be wise to have the mass removed while it is still smaller. Now that mine is 8 cm, I am told that I will require reconstruction surgery. I will be left with two very different size breasts and since the tumor is benign I was told that insurance will not cover the cost of reconstruction.

    You will get through this! I've never had surgery before so I am feeling the fear that you are feeling. We should just be thankful that it is not malignant!

    All the best to you,

    Ginger

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