found a cyst....but now need a biopsy!!!
Really hoping someone has had a similar issue. I have an extensive history of breast cancer. I have the BRCA1 gene- my mom had it and passed away over 20 years ago. When I was 33 I was diagnosed the first time on the right breast, stage 2A. I immediately had a mastectomy and tram flap reconstruction as well as chemo. When I was 37, I had a new primary cancer develop on the left side, once again stage 2A. Had a lumpectomy, chemo, and radiation. So everything I've been through defeats the odds. I just turned 40. I was really hoping to leave my 30s behind in a cloud of healthy dust, but two months ago we found a lump on the right side again. Long story short- it was fat necrosis, but had to go through a biopsy and everything. Two weeks ago, another lump on the left side. Dr wasn't concerned with how it felt but had me go for imaging. I had a mammorgram and ultrasound and had 3 different drs look at it. No one was worried. It was two cysts on top of each other. The radiologist actually hugged me because he was so happy to give me that news. It was the best case scenario because with cysts I didn't need to get a biopsy, as I had with the fat necrosis (because fat necrosis mimics cancer on imaging). But my dr did say to keep my eye on it, because it's not as common for women with reconstructed breasts to get cysts. I also had my ovaries out 3 years ago and cysts are common in women around their menstrual cycles. There's no real reason for me to have a cyst! But because of my past, my doctors are careful with me, so I was happy they weren't concerned and I just tried to forget about it.
Fast forward two weeks and the other day I noticed a red mark/light bruise on top of the skin where the cyst is directly underneath. It's about the size of a quarter. So to be safe, I went in today to see my doctor. He said that the area now felt firmer and a little bigger so he wants to biopsy it. He said he's planning on doing an ultrasound guided procedure. He said if he still only sees the two cysts, he will aspirate them. He said that it's possible a cyst is infected, which would explain the red mark on my skin. And then he'd just give me antibiotics. Or if it's just regular fluid, he will be able to tell immediately if it's suspicious. Now, of course I go home and google infected breast cyst and what comes up- inflammatory breast cancer. And I'm also reading that sometimes a cyst is formed because there's breast cancer under it. And in between the two cysts is an area of dense tissue.
So I'm really freaking out. My biggest questions are why do I have a cyst since I don't have regular breast tissue? And why do I have a red mark on my skin on top of the cyst? These are my biggest concerns. Really hoping someone can talk me out of the possibility that I might have cancer again.
Comments
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Hi, Jennjdance. I completely understand your concern. I am not sure that my story will help, but I hope it can offer some relief.
I am/was in a similar situation, and so far all is well. I have the BRCA1 mutation, had bc 15 years ago at age 30. I had bilateral mastectomies at that time. My implants ruptured at my 10 year mark, almost to the day! It was a scary few days because the way in which they ruptured led us to believe the cancer had returned. Long story short - I hadn't. I had my implants replaced, but it kicked me into gear for my hysterectomy, which I got at 41.
Two years ago, I felt a large lump under my right implant that extended to my chest. Surgical visits, ultrasounds and a biopsy confirmed it is a cyst, some fatty tissue, some scar tissue, etc. Due to the location, they can't easily aspirate without potentially affecting the implant. So, we are watching it. I have not had any red marks, per se, but the area does it periodically, which is strange since I don't normally have much feeling to begin with.
I am thinking of you. Keep us posted.
Rachel
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I'm beginning to think that it may actually be oil cysts, which the dr. mentioned. Although I've never had cysts before, I HAVE had fat necrosis lumps (though not in this particular breast), and oil cysts in my breasts. In fact, two months ago when I had a biopsy on the right breast it was fat necrosis. I was just researching oil cysts and it said that "Sometimes the skin around the lump looks thicker, red, or bruised."- which is exactly what mine looks like. It also says that oil cysts can look like simple cysts on mammograms and ultrasounds. When they said I had cysts, the radiologist didn't mention what type of cyst, but if they all look similar, it would make sense. So I'm hopeful that since I DO have a history of fat necrosis, that this might make sense.
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jenni - hope everything comes out B-9, Do stay away from Dr. Google. The information there is often old and sometimes just plain wrong. If you feel the need to research, go to a trusted site like this one, or NCI or Mayo Clinic.
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Having my biopsy/aspiration tomorrow. Keep me in your prayers!
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I'm really hoping someone is reading my posts. I really need support. I went today to get the biopsy. At first it was good news- one of the cysts had disappeared, and my dr still didn't see a mass. He even told me he thinks it's fat necrosis. HOWEVER.....he did a biopsy of the tissue around the remaining cyst. There is dense tissue below that cyst, and also there is slight redness on my skin on top of the cyst. Could this be inflammatory breast cancer??? I'm really freaking out now, and now I have to wait almost a week for results. Please someone talk me down from this!!!
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okay Jennj, take a few really deep breaths. hold the last one. then slowly let it out. No one is going to be able to tell you what the path report is going to say. But we're here with you. Waiting a week is totally going to suck. You know it and we know it. Do your best to distract yourself and use relaxation skills to keep yourself as calm as you can. If you need something for sleep, ask for it. I am sending every bit of healing energy and white light to you that I can and hoping my hardest for b9 results. I'm sure your team will make sure they get the results back to you as soon as possible. Please let us know what we can do for you. ((hugs))
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I just wish other people had similar stories to me. The redness on my breast looks to me like a discoloration/bruise, about the size of a quarter, right on top of where the cyst is. There's no sign of cancer at all in my breast, but I just wish I knew what could cause the bruise other than inflammatory cancer. My dr didn't mention that at all, but of course I'm googling it and that's what I was reading about.
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Jenni - Remember, as we're all told you before, stay away from google. It will scare you every time. It's hard to wait. Binge watch movies or TV series. Take a walk, or walk your dog. Dig into a book & live in another world for awhile.
OF primary importance - did you discuss this anxiety with your doc again? Ask him/her to give you some meds for anxiety. We're all hoping for B-9
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hey jennj, you know better than to consult "Dr google". He's no good at all, only increases anxiety. Please try to distract yourself for the time being, you've done all you can for now. You saw your team, you followed up, you've had the biopsy. I know waiting is awful. But googling makes it worse. Big and gentle ((hugs))
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Thinkingbpf you. Waiting sucks. Hoping it is an oil cyst. Please keep us posted!
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It definitely wasn't an oil cyst. And it definitely not an infected cyst. It was a cyst and dense tissue with a bruise on top of the cyst. Can cysts cause bruises???
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Jenni - sorry, none of us can answer your medical questions. Please check back and let us know what your doctor says.
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just wanted to post an update!!!! I'm all good!!!! It was just a cyst and some scar tissue!!!! Sooooooo relieved!!!!!
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Jenni - glad everything is fine.
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yay!
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Great news! Thanks for the update
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