Have to go back in 2 mths. . am I worrying unnecessarily?

vivvy · January 2016

Back in March 2014 I found a tiny lump & was seen at breast clinic. Had mammogram and US and Dr was 85% sure it was a cyst. I told him I needed 100% certainty so he tried draining there and then and it deflated and I was discharged.
December 2015 I find another tiny lump in same place. 2-3 wks later I went to drs then on Tues 5th Jan I was seen at breast clinic. I was asked if I have pain and said no, as I don't. But my breast is aching and often feels warm, but not to touch.
The consultant found the lump and I had mammogram. Then I had US. . The lady doing the US repeatedly measured the lump (they never measured the one back in 2014) and she repeatedly scanned my underarm. After 10/15 mins of repeating these actions she left the room to get a 2nd opinion. I was petrified!! A Dr came in (I assume he was a dr!) and he measured my lump several times and scanned under my arm. He then said "it looks benign and is only tiny".
I then saw the consultant again who said I have swollen lymph nodes under my left armpit and the lump in my left breast is only 4 mm and looks benign. It's too small to do a core biopsy and may just vanish. But she'd like to see me again in 2 mths if it's still there and made me an appointment for March. She said they'd then decide whether to operate and biopsy it or monitor it further.
My Husband felt this was a positive result... focusing on the words "it looks benign". I on the other hand feel I'm none the wiser. It's obviously not a cyst as surely they would have mentioned the word cyst.
My actual lump doesn't hurt but my left breast kinda aches, it's hard to describe. I cannot tell my other breast is there at all but I can feel this one the majority of the time. Like a pulling sensation too.
Sorry for the long post but wanted to post as much info as possible. I feel it's constantly on my mind . Can they know 100% that this lump is benign. Should I have said although it doesn't hurt I do have feelings there? I'm 44 .

BrooksideVT · January 2016

HI, Clarek. I had a very similar experiencejust last week. I have a 3mm lump, almost certainly benign. My annual mammogram could not "see" the lump and so was followed by an ultrasound. The tech could not find the bump, nor could the radiologist (yes, that was a radiologist who saw you after the tech had done her thing). Probably in two months, my breast surgeon will do a fine needle biopsy on the thing. Everyone is quite certain it is benign, but as I have had breast cancer in the past, they do like to be extra vigilant. I imagine your doctors' assessment of your lump is much like mine--looks benign, almost certainly benign, but not 100% guaranteed benign.

Yes, I think you should certainly make clear that you have discomfort in your breast.

vivvy · January 2016

Thank you so much for your reply.

One minute I'm feeling paranoid but then I get the 'what ifs?' It's consuming my every thought.

Hope all is well with your finding .

marijen · January 2016

Two months can give it time to grow or disappear. Agree with Brookside, they will probably do a fine needle biopsy. I don't think you said anything wrong. It sounds to me like the US tech took time to really check and got a second opinion and they are concerned but can't say what it is for sure. I felt a "pulling" with my lymph node. At least you are noticing it early. Try not to worry. Maybe you could start treating with all the alternative choices like diet, green tea and turmeric etc. Plenty of forums here for that. Make it disappear

LM070917 · January 2016

if you're worried then I'd go back earlier, perhaps a month rather than two. I had an ultrasound the other day and I've also got a 4mm solid nodule in my left breast (supposed to be my good one) so they have advised me to have another ultrasound and core biopsy in a month. The radiologist advised to do biopsy, because I've had breast cancer in my right breast not so long ago. There's nothing worse than waiting too long, just your instinct if you're not happy, go back.

dtad · January 2016

Clarac IMO 2 months is a reasonable time frame. By then they should be able to see if there are any changes. You could also get a second opinion at a university based teaching hospital if you are not at one now. Good luck and keep us posted....

BarredOwl · January 2016

Hi Vivvy:

You said: "I then saw the consultant again who said I have swollen lymph nodes under my left armpit". You describe these were evaluated by ultrasound, but provide no further information on the node assessment.

If malignant (which by imaging may be low probability, but has not been excluded by biopsy), even small tumors have the potential to spread to the underarm nodes.

Did they give you a medical reason why they are not concerned about the swollen lymph nodes? If not, please contact them now and ask for one. The small size of the lump would not be a good explanation in my opinion.

At the same time, please inform them of your additional symptoms per BrooksideVT.

In addition, please obtain copies of the official written reports of the radiologist for all ultrasounds and mammograms. Check for a Bi-RADs score and any comments regarding the lymph nodes.

If there is not a good reason for why they aren't worried about the swollen nodes, personally I would seek a second opinion at an independent institution, including a review of all imaging by a radiologist and consultation with a breast surgeon (specialist).

Waiting is the hardest part. For me personally, two months is a long time to sit around worrying about swollen lymph nodes, and whether this team is correct or not. It would not be unreasonable to seek a second opinion where judgment is involved, and where if they are wrong, it could potentially lead to a two-month delay in diagnosis and treatment.

BarredOwl

vivvy · January 2016

Thank you everyone for all your replies.

They said at 4 mm the lump was too small to biopsy without surgery but if it was still there in 2 months they would decide whether to go ahead or monitor it further.

As for the swollen lymph nodes under my arm, no other information was given to me at all... just that they were swollen. This was ticked on a sheet the consultant had. At the time I never thought to ask any questions regarding the nodes until I got home and googled, which I know I perhaps shouldn't have!

My underarm has been aching so yesterday I returned to my doctor giving her my concerns. She said once the hospital report has been received by the doctor I have to go back and she'll see if she can bring my follow up appointment forward. She did say that although they do get these things wrong at times it is unlikely that both the US lady and the Dr she brought in would both be wrong.

So its still a waiting game at the moment. . I have a palpable 4mm lump seen on scans and felt by the consultant and Dr and swollen nodes but have no idea why or what it is.

vivvy · January 2016

Lottemarine, I do hope you get benign results with your biopsy next month. It must be worrying for you especially when you've been down the road before.

LM070917 · January 2016

thanks vivvy for your support, yeah I have my fingers crossed. I'm kind of confused because I'm currently undergoing chemo, so technically shouldn't have a new cancerous lump, unless the chemo isn't working?? Slightly worrying, but I am happy to wait a month which is until chemo finishes and then I can get straight into the biopsy table! Radiologist thinks it likely to be a fibro or breast lymph node based on ultrasound, but is being cautious cos of my history.

Have to go back in 2 mths. . am I worrying unnecessarily?

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