Palpable lump not seen on US or Mammo - Waiting for Biopsy

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Momof3_2001
Momof3_2001 Member Posts: 15
edited September 2016 in Waiting for Test Results

Hello,

I have an appointment with the Breast Surgeon for more information or possible biopsy (they seemed very vague) on October 11, which seems so far away!!! My maternal aunt passed away from breast cancer in her 40s. I am 29.

I have had 2 Fibradenomas in the past that are still there, both are over 5 years old. I have had them ultrasound and checked periodically in that time. They both feel exactly the same and are in identical spots on each breast and are round, rubbery and move around.

About 6 weeks ago, I found a new lump that is flatter, ovalish and doesn't quite move the way the others do and sits right on top of the rib. It has also caused a visible indentation about 2 inches long on the outside of the breast. Because it felt differently, I went to the Dr. She sent me for an ultrasound last week, and because they couldn't see it (but they did feel it) they sent me for a diagnostic mammo right away. The said on the US they could see something behind where the lump would be, but not the lump.

The mammo turned out negative also, but they gave me a birads 4 and not much information, other than I had dense breasts.

I am just curious if others have had any experience with a lump not showing up on both US and mammo and what the outcomes were. Also, has anyone had an indentation and a lump? Ive read about IBC but in most cases of indentations, there was not a lump.

Also, any other input you would like to add would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!

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  • LailaMarie
    LailaMarie Member Posts: 6
    edited September 2016

    I have a swollen area next to my arm pit and a mass in my armpit. They easily found the mass with ultrasound, but said they couldn't find anything in the area that is swollen. It's around the area the sentinel lymph node would be. I'm worried that they've missed something. I don't know how likely that is with US, but I know something is definitely going on with my body. Areas don't just swell up and stay swollen for no reason. I wish you the very best of luck. Hoping you here good news!

    Blessings!!!!!

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  • Momof3_2001
    Momof3_2001 Member Posts: 15
    edited September 2016

    Thanks for responding! Are you going to go back for additional information for your swelling??

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  • tls2328
    tls2328 Member Posts: 3
    edited September 2016

    Late July of this year i started having some substantial pain in my left breast. After about 2 weeks of pain i noticed that the entire outer area from my armpit to my nipple was so hard and painful, to the point that my breast was oddly shaped. (07/28/2016) Went to the Family Dr and they said it was likely an infection but sent me for Mammo and US along with some hefty antibiotics. (8/2/16) Mammo showed islands of dense glandular tissue, US didn't show much. i was given a Bi Rads 3 and referred to a specialist. (8/12/16) They sent me for an MRI which showed an area 13cm X 6cm X 4cm (yes, CM..centimeters!) of "clumped nonmass enhancement" and given a category 4B and told i needed to have an MRI guided biopsy. (09/01/16) had the biopsies, they did 3 sites and collected 18 samples. The imaging report for the procedure referred to it as a category 5 lesion and global asymmetry.

    The good news, it turned out not to be cancer. i actually have a benign condition called cystic neutrophilic granulomatous mastitis. It's very rare and unfortunately they really dont know what causes it or how to treat it. i hope this helps. i am very sorry that you are dealing with all this and i completely understand the fear of looking at your breast completely go out of shape and no idea why,

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  • Kcabrera
    Kcabrera Member Posts: 44
    edited September 2016

    AshPerez - I am also in a similar situation. I found a thickening on my right breast. When I lay on my side it is very prominent. US and 3D mammo showed nothing but slight asymmetry. My breasts are so dense that they ordered and MRI for next Monday. I now have a swollen lymph node in my armpit. I couldn't be more scared. I hope you and I both get answers soon. I'll be thinking of you! Just try to remember most lumps and bumps are benign!

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  • Momof3_2001
    Momof3_2001 Member Posts: 15
    edited September 2016

    Thanks for your experiences ladies! It's scary for anyone to have to worry about this and the waiting is the worst! My appointment with the Breast Specialist is October 11 and I feel like I am driving myself crazy with wondering what it could be.

    tls - that is a huge area! One of my fibroadenomas is 4 cm and to me seems huge.

    I'm just hoping the next 2 weeks go by quickly and we all can get answers soon!

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  • Alitxu
    Alitxu Member Posts: 19
    edited September 2016

    Hi,

    17 years ago when I was 32 I found a painful lump on my right breast and went for a mamogram. The doctors could not see anything, so I went for a biopsy (cell aspiration). It turned out to be cancer (IDC, 3cm). I went to the hospital to prepare for surgery and we did a second mamogram and an ultrasoud, still inconclusive, so we had to go for a CT scan to be able to see if there was single or multiple and the margins because the mamograms did not give them enough information to be able to cut anyhow.

    I had a lumpectomy and for the last 17 years I have religiously undergone my yearly mamogram ritual. My last one was in April and everything was peachy. Guess what happened last month on the same breast? Lump. They checked the early mamogram - nothing. Ultrasound? - Nothing. Biopsy? - Cancer. Same pattern as last time. 17 years of wasted mamograms.

    If you think that you might be like me, go for a biopsy asap. Ask also for an MRI or CT. Because, yes, in some cases, mamograms are completely useless.

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  • Momof3_2001
    Momof3_2001 Member Posts: 15
    edited September 2016

    thanks so much for sharing. That's what I'm afraid of! I've had other Lumps that showed up so its just weird that this one wouldn't. Counting down the days Til my next appointment and it feels like an eternity

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