Is this really happening?
Hello everyone, I've been reading this board now for about a month and finally decided to make an appointment to check a lump in my breast that I've been watching for several months. I had a cyst in the very same spot about 20 years ago that the doctor described as being the size of a lemon - he aspirated it and it never came back. So about 3 weeks ago, after reading everything about movement, I decided to give the cyst a good push to see how mobile it is and then all heck broke out on my breast. Within a couple of days my breast swelled up, my nipple inverted due to the swelling, 2 spots of a rash broke out, and my breast is hard on the bottom and the side where the cyst is. Under the rash it feels like hard lumps. These things were not there prior to pushing on the cyst.
So things moved pretty quickly the past 2 days. I called and made an appointment with the Gyno, her practice likes to see breast issues right away so I was in pretty fast. The PA looked at the area and went and got the doctor. She said she was concerned about an infection. The doctor mentioned abscess and said the first thing I needed to do was have a mammo - so they scheduled it. Today I had my first mammogram and an ultrasound (had one prior with the other cyst 20 years ago), then a visit to a surgeon...who did a needle guided ultrasound biopsy. I am scared to death. After the mammo, the radiologist came in and said "this is not a simple cyst" and said it was very suspicious. I tried to watch the monitor to see what it looked like and it was not totally round, it was irregular shaped. I didn't even know a cyst could be irregular shaped. So then at the surgeon appointment I found out there are actually two spots they are looking at and I tried to watch the monitor again and one of the nurses was noting how the surgeon was getting alot of fluid out and one cyst disappeared. I really had a hard time trying to make out what they were all looking at because it just looked like alot of black, gray, and white and nothing was defined where she was putting the needle for the biopsy. She also took a biopsy of the rash, saying that looks a little like Paget's to her. I asked if the rash could have been shingles and she said no. I thought maybe I worked myself up a case of them with the way my nerves have been lately. The surgeon also said that she wouldn't sugar coat things and these spots were highly suspicious. I am a pretty good question asker and in the midst of all of this I was at a loss for words.
I have tried to look up anything I can find on cysts and the only thing I can see if stuff on complex cysts, nothing about a cyst containing cancer. I am supposed to have the biopsy results Friday morning. They are also concerned because of the inverted nipple and thickened skin. So I think they are thinking this is inflammatory breast cancer. Neither the radiologist or surgeon mentioned anything about possible infection or abscess. Has anyone ever had an issue with cysts like this? Thank you in advance for any information, I really appreciate it.
Comments
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Hi!
I've never had problems with cysts, but kudos to you for having your lump checked out. Hopefully, someone with a history of cysts will be along to give you some insights. Re: your next doctor's visit -- bring a list of questions next time so you won't be at loss for words again. ((Hugs)) I hope your results are benign.
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I had a lump come up on my cancer boob two years after treatment. The radiologist called the ultrasound highly suspicious, at the biopsy it was completely fluid filled and collapsed, everyone breathed a sigh of relief. It was actually a fat necrosis forming, now it is a hard benign lump. From the lumpectomy and some reconstruction work that boob now has at least three necrosi. It isn't quite the same situation, but if it collapses on biopsy that is a good thing. Good luck, will keep you in my thoughts
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I haven't had a cyst experience but am in here waiting for discordant results to be sorted out. Waiting is hard. I'm glad you got checked and it seems to be moving quickly. One way or another, it's good to get answers. Best of luck! Sending you calming positive thoughts. Keep us posted
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Thanks for the replies! It's nice to know there is somewhere to go to vent to those who know what this situation is like. Yes, I need to write my questions down, if I get bad results I might forget what to ask.
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MountainLife, I found a lump. It was pretty evident (although I would have sworn it wasn't there the day before I found it) and I immediately went in to have it checked out, never having had any lumps before. I was only 38, and the NP "wasn't worried" about my lump as it was "not small like a pea" and she felt it "moved" more than bc would. I did press her, never having had a lump before, and she referred me for a diagnostic mammo. The radiologist saw a cystic mass (complex cystic mass) and said because he could see fluid and because of my age, he was "not concerned at all, 99% chance it's nothing", but gave me a surgical consult when I pushed him. When the BS laid his hands on my lump he "didn't like it at all", although he couldn't really tell me why. He aspirated some fluid in his office right then and there. It was amber in color, and he didn't like that either. He let me know that the fluid would go to cytology and that either the cyst would collapse and go away, or it wouldn't. If my cytology came back b9, and it didn't go away, I should return and we'd figure out a f/u plan. The cytology came back adenocarcinoma. So it is possible for a complex cystic mass to contain some malignant components. I'm not saying that is what happens to all women who present with complex cysts, but thought you should here that possibility. I am hoping that your path results are b9! ((hugs))
(edited for spelling and grammar)
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