Surgery scheduled for Friday

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Courtney2090
Courtney2090 Member Posts: 16
edited December 2018 in Not Diagnosed But Worried

Hi all I found a lump in my left breast a few months ago and waited a couple months to see if it went away it didn't. I called my GP who scheduled an ultrasound which found nothing but confirmed there was a solid palpable mass. I then waited a week and had to call ny doctor to ask for a follow up and she scheduled me for a mamagram. I am 30 on Sunday so they started with the ultrasound. Nothing was found in the mamagram and I was informed I has class B density so not bad. But again stated since I had a palpable mass they could not rule out malignancy. I had to push my doctor for a consult to a reast clinic and got a call the next morning (today) and they asked me to come in within the hour. I spoke with the BS who felt the lump and stated it was bigger than the notes stated from my ultrasound. She offered an MRI but said she would prefer an excisional biopsy to make sure we get it. I made a comment about 80% precent of biopsies being benign but she made a face and said in my case it is fifty fifty. I was also then introduced to my breast navigator and told to call any time with any and all questions. Great group of people I must say. The doctor didn't treat me like a hypocondriac and actually said it was very good that I pushed my GP and di the right thing. My question is how many people have had a growing palpable mass that didn't show up on mamagram or ultrasound turn out to be cancer? Also she said dyring the exam it felt lobular to her. I don't even know what that means. Any advice or words of wisdom would be greatly appreciated! Thanks in advance!

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  • MDRR
    MDRR Member Posts: 133
    edited December 2018

    Courtney2090

    while my experience isn't the same as yours, the waiting, wondering, what-iffing and worrying is universal! I'm glad you have a good medical team in place and it sounds like you are getting good guidance. Keep moving forward with whatever procedurs and testing they want to do and you'll feel much better once you have a firm diagnosis and a plan of action (if needed after your surgery) in place. I never had a lump -- mine showed up on a routine mammogram. My surgeon spent a full hour with me the first appointment, drawing diagrams, showing me exactly what was happening and what could be found, what the various options were, etc. Education is power and allows you to make the best decisions for yourself and your situation as you move forward.

    Sending you best wishes and support, and let us know what the outcome is.....

    also there is a forum for lobular carcinoma -- it may be of help to you.

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  • Dani444
    Dani444 Member Posts: 522
    edited December 2018

    Courtney2090. I am sorry you are having these symptoms. I am glad you pushed to be seen by the BS. I am guessing that maybe she was referring to invasive lobular carcinoma. It doesn’t always present with a lump. Mine felt more like a thickened or hardened tissue under the skin. This type of cancer is often hard to see in imaging due to the way the cancer grows. I am just guessing as to what she might have meant though. It sounds like you have a great BS that is being thorough so that is good. I know how stressful the waiting is. I am convinced that my oncology nurses navigator was sent from heaven above! They are such an amazing resource for us! I wish you the best with your procedure.

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  • Courtney2090
    Courtney2090 Member Posts: 16
    edited December 2018
    Thank you both for taking the time to respond. I appreciate your kind words and MDRR thank you for the recommendation I will definitely check it out. Dani did your cancer show up in any imaging or only after biopsy? The surgeon mentioned the possibility of an MRI bt didn't want to wait and felt if it didn't show up on the expensive images than she would still want to take it out. But I am curious how they can't see it but feel it easily. Thanks again!
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  • BritterlySweet
    BritterlySweet Member Posts: 2
    edited December 2018

    Hi Courtney!

    I'm 27 and my ultrasound is in a few days. I have a hard lump in my right breast, lower inner quadrant.

    I felt like your post was a little how I was feeling... I think I should be concerned and follow it through, but I keep reading that 80% statistic and feel like I'm overreacting, and the fact I'm in my late twenties seems to get some "Oh, you're too young" replies.

    I live out of state and travelled home for Xmas, so I decided with my time off I might as well get it checked. I know once my vacation is over I won't be so prone to take off work.

    I'll be checking back up to see how your biopsy goes!


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  • Dani444
    Dani444 Member Posts: 522
    edited December 2018

    My tumor did show in imaging, and I did have an MRI. They measured differently on all imaging, from 2-4.7 cm. Surgical pathology showed a 4.8 cm tumor. ILC tends to grow in a single line, as it typically lacks the protein that causes the cells to clump together. A pathologist that I work with said what I felt was probably more like “scar tissues" in a sense. Let us know how it goes.

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  • Courtney2090
    Courtney2090 Member Posts: 16
    edited December 2018

    BritterlySweet I definitely got that comment as well surprisingly my gyno completly refused to even feel what I was taking about and just told me I was fine. My GP thankfully gave me a referral to a breast clinic who did take it seriously.

    Dani thanks for sharing your stats I know everyone on here is a bit different but it really helps to know other experiences at least in my opinion. I am trying to stay off google. I feel I researched enough of the basic facts but any suggentions of questions I should ask either tonorrow before/after the excisional biopsy tomorrow or the f/u scheduled for next friday would be helpful as I still am a bit out of my depth with all this. Thanks in advance!


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  • Chemistry91
    Chemistry91 Member Posts: 32
    edited December 2018

    I had a solid, benign breast tumor (PASH) that showed on mammogram but could be visualized on ultrasound. It was palpable.

    I had it removed along with reconstruction and pain for me was minimal. I alternated between Tylenol and Advil. Was a little sore and uncomfortable but it wasnt awful.

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  • Dani444
    Dani444 Member Posts: 522
    edited December 2018

    Courtney, I hope you did well with your surgery. I am responding a bit late and I am sorry. I am sure she will share her visual findings if she has any. I hope you are having minimal pain. I know this wait will feel like forever and I am sorry you are going through this! As hard as it is try to find distractions while you wait. Binge watch some Christmas movies, get coffee with friends, And enjoy the holidays. I hope to be congratulating you on b9 results soon but if it turns out not to be, you can face it! and feel free to vent and worry on here as much as you need while you wait! Healing thoughts being sent your way

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  • Courtney2090
    Courtney2090 Member Posts: 16
    edited December 2018

    Thank you to everyone who responded. I read all the comments but was everything was so hectic I couldn't respond until now. My surgery went well. Not too much pain took the tylenol 3s for a day but switched to regular tylenol since yesterday. The bruising isn't too bad. I had a bit of bleeding that I can only asume came from my nipple as the steri strips didnt have new blood on them but haven't seen any more since. I aso noticed last night I have a bit of blood pooling under my breast not big about an inch or two. The incision was on the side of my nipple. I shouldn't worry about it or should I call my doctor. Thank you in advance!

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  • MDRR
    MDRR Member Posts: 133
    edited December 2018

    Courtney

    Glad the surgery is behind you and sounds like it went well. RE the blood -- if you're uncomfortable about it, it never hurts to call rather than worry about it. It could be something they see frequently and could put your mind at ease.

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  • Courtney2090
    Courtney2090 Member Posts: 16
    edited December 2018

    I got my pathology report of the 5.5x 4.0x 2.5 mass ad I can finally breathe again. It turned out to be PASH, FEA, adenosis, sclerosing adenosis, usual ductal hayperplasia and microscopic fibroadenoma. Also focal lactation like changes were observed. Any insights on what this means for my future risk?

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  • djmammo
    djmammo Member Posts: 2,939
    edited December 2018

    Courtney2090

    Here is a page about FEA (flat epithelial atypia)

    Here is a page re: lactational changes of the breast unrelated to pregnancy

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