Seeking info

Michelle02 · October 2019

hello my name is Michelle I am 30 years old. I did a self exam this evening and not sure if I found something to be concerned about.

I had a benign mass removed 4years ago from left breast, it was over 3 cm.

Last year I was concerned about a moveable mass upper left breast close to armpit. I was booked for a mammogram by doctor but upon arrival to hospital they did an ultrasound. The doctor found a mass on ultrasound but said it was quote "just the way I was". Probably fatty tissue? I assume,they were not very clear. They told me it was nothing to worry about but to watch for changes.

Since I found initial mass that was removed I always found my left nipple to be different like a bump on top and bottom of nipple, it's hard to explain. I brought it up to Dr's but they tell me it's how i'am. My left nipple is also much more sensitive/painful than the other.

I put my breast concerns out of my mind since my ultrasound was good last year and have been busy focusing on finishing my second degree.

Tonight I noticed my nipple to be very painful. I get sore breast around the time of month about this time but my left nipple was very painful.

I examined my nipple and the bumps seem to be larger and painful to touch so I decided to do a breast exam as I have not done one in a while.

Unfortunately I found a lump deep in my left breast, and I'm beginning to worry again.

My other breast lumps were in the breast tissues and moveable. This lump seems to be underneath the breast tissue and does not move and is hard hard not at all like the other lums. It is quite small like a small half pea Sitting under the breast tissue. It's hard to explain.

I wonder if a fibroid could present like this? Or maybe weird breast tissue. Does calcifications present like this?

I wonder if I could hold off making on making a doctor's appointment until next saturday. Or would something like this need to be seen right away. There is no bumps like this on the other breast.

Also What could cause nipple changes? It's not retracting but there is a bump on top of the nipple and the bottom both on the same side opposite where the breast lumps are. It's like the top and bottom bumps are coming together. Almost "c" shaped.

I don't seem to get answers from the doctors I tell this too. I will try to press them more about my questions but they always seem to brush them off and so I push them out of my mind.

I really thought I was done with worrying about this.

Sorry for the very long post I think putting it out there may put my mind at ease a little as I'm sure it is nothing.

Thank you to anyone who takes the time to read this and to those who may have any answers/advice to offer. Thank you.

Gamb · October 2019

Michelle, if it were me I would make an appointment to be checked by Dr, have mammogram and ultrasound done, if not completely comfortable with the ank to get MRI, if i tests show nothing then you'll have peace of mind,if the test show something then you can take action to it taken care of

Moderators · October 2019

Michelle, sorry you are here and worried, but welcome!

As Gamb says, getting it checked out seems like the best next step as it's definitely not normal, and even if it's something benign, you may want to discuss it with your doctor to get it removed or to make an appropriate follow up plan. Please, let us know how it all goes! We're thinking of you!

The Mods

Michelle02 · October 2019

Thank you for the responses. I appreciate your time

I think it would be best to have it checked sooner rather than later. I hope I can make time for a check up on Monday.

If my doctor's tell me it's nothing like they tend to do, I wonder if I should leave it at that? Or given my description should I insist on some testing?

I read that fat necrosis may present like this. It is near where I had a lump removed 4 years ago. Finding that out helped me worry less. I just wonder if fat necrosis can feel attached to chest wall? It is sore to the touch also.

I'm sure it is nothing. The process of worrying is brutal but I'm sure it's nothing.

Thanks again.

Rah2464 · October 2019

Michelle please give yourself permission to persist as necessary to get the answers you feel are complete. This is about your health and your body. I can clearly remember having an issue back eons ago when I was 30 with what turned out to be a benign tumor. My (then male) gyn was very casual and dismissive, saying correctly that statistically BC is unlikely given my age at that time. Sorry but stats just don't cut it for me I want definitive answers. I pushed forward and wound up with an excisional biopsy and he was correct, benign. However, for my peace of mind I had to know for sure and that is perfectly ok. You are not being pushy or needy you are being vigilant and purposeful.

I hope things turn out well and kudos to you for staying on top of how your body feels. Try and take things one step at a time to get the answers you need. And we are all here supporting you if you need us.

djmammo · October 2019

Michelle02

"I had a benign mass removed 4years ago from left breast, it was over 3 cm."

What was the path on that ?

"Last year I was concerned about a moveable mass upper left breast close to armpit. I was booked for a mammogram by doctor but upon arrival to hospital they did an ultrasound."

Do you have the report of that ultrasound?

"I examined my nipple and the bumps seem to be larger and painful to touch so I decided to do a breast exam as I have not done one in a while. Unfortunately I found a lump deep in my left breast, and I'm beginning to worry again."

Is the new lump anywhere near the area of the surgery or any previous lumps? The changes in the nipple and the presence of the lump are likely unrelated.

"This lump seems to be underneath the breast tissue and does not move and is hard hard not at all like the other lumps. It is quite small like a small half pea Sitting under the breast tissue."

Could what you are feeling be on the rib? The costochondral junction (where rib bone and cartilage meet) is often palpable and I have seen it mistaken for a small nodule/mass. Press on it and to the left and right of it and see if it feels like a rib, and also just above and just below it to see of there are similar lumps.

"I wonder if a fibroid could present like this?"

As a rule fibroadenomas are not fixed. (Fibroids are found in the uterus.)

"Does calcifications present like this?"

Only very large benign calcifications like those seen with fat necrosis which would have to be located in the area of prior surgery.

"I wonder if I could hold off making on making a doctor's appointment until next Saturday. Or would something like this need to be seen right away."

See your doctor when you can, perhaps they can call you with cancellations.

"Also What could cause nipple changes? It's not retracting but there is a bump on top of the nipple and the bottom both on the same side opposite where the breast lumps are. It's like the top and bottom bumps are coming together. Almost "c" shaped."

Are they the nipple proper or on the areola?

Let us know what your mammogram and ultrasound show.

========

The costochondral junction is the spot where the cartilage (blue) meets the rib (bone).

Michelle02 · October 2019

Thanks again. I feel a lot more confident in asking for more answers at 30. More so than even last year.

I will insist on asking for my labs. I don't remember what was on my first biopsy only that it showed white blood cells but no nucleus and it still caused me a great deal of anxiety/worry.

I had to go to a breast clinic in another city to have an excisional biopsy 4 years ago.

Given the size the doctors there immediately said they would remove as they do not like letting them get that big. In my city they refused an excisional biopsy and I was actually yelled at by a doctor for asking.

I had to wait six weeks for the results and when I arrived all they told me was that is was good and nothing to worry about. I was not given any specifics and did not ask to see the report.

I never asked for a report from my last ultrasound either. The technician showed me something was picked up. It was darker than the rest of the area.

The new lump Seems to be a few centimeters away from where the scar and removed lump was. Not directly in the same area but not far off.

I don't believe it is a rib. Their is an obvious lump that stands out and there is nothing in either breast that feels similar. It is on the outside of the breast a few cm from the nipple. But maybe that is what I'm feeling. I have never noticed this during other self exams probably done years ago.

The bumps are on the nipple and not the areola.

I will update as soon as I see my doctor. I wonder what I can say to ask for further testing, if they dismiss my symptoms, and avoid seeming pushy/bossy.

I am so surprised to find another breast lump after nonchalantly doing a self exam again. I am so busy with school and my children (I am a single mom to four and also my nephew) I wish I didn't have to worry about this again.

My mom always gets so worried when I go through this. She lost her mom to ovarian cancer very young. I'm not going to tell her or anyone about the new symptoms. Posting here does help my mind relax and the advice/input helps you feel not alone.

I would take a thousand days of worry for good results.

Thank you.

Michelle02 · October 2019

Well I went to my doctor but he did not even want to give me an exam. He told me to wait for 10 days and see if it's still there. They also would not give me my ultrasound results from last may.

A little frustrated I took time off this morning too see him and I hate to take more time off just for them to feel what I found. And then more time off for any imaging if needed. I wish I could have insisted but who wants to force someone to check their breast, at that point I may make him upset and he might not do a thorough exam.

I might try a walk in clinic today just so someone knows what I'm feeling. I feel bad for taking the morning off for nothing.

MinusTwo · October 2019

Michelle - standard wisdom with most 'problems' we find is - wait two weeks and if it's still bothering you - make a doc appointment. Do you trust your doc? If so, as hard as it might be - find something to occupy your mind for the next two week and go back if you still have qualms. And don't feel your breasts in the mean time.

Michelle02 · October 2019

Thanks for the reply and info. I wish I was more patient and less of a worrier.

I have noone to tell about this new lump. It's nice to be able to tell someone and get advice and know someone's listening.

I think because it is hard and immobile I am more concerned. I hope I can no longer feel it in two weeks. I wish I did not find it to begin with tbh.

I did make it into a walk in clinic and saw a really nice female doctor. She gave me an exam and felt the lump. I will get a call for an appointment for imaging at our breast clinic.

I have lots to do, too much, to keep me busy. I think I needed to get the check up out of the way so I can focus clearly.

I will avoid checking the lump now. Breastlumps sure cause alot of stress, very unnecessary stress most times.

Michelle02 · November 2019

I went to an ultrasound appointment this morning to have a breast lump examined.

After the technician finished she came back in with the radiologist. He said based on the imaging he wanted to have the mass taken out.

He did not say anything about biopsing the breast lump but to just have it removed.

I'm guessing that means a day surgery and put too sleep. It's small maybe 1-1.5 cm.

My question is why would a radiologist remove a breast lump before a biopsy?

He said to call my GP for an appointment today. I'm guessing I can get my ultrasound results then and see when they want to schedule the procedure.

Beesie · November 2019

Hopefully djmammo will come by and offer his opinion. Until then, my understanding is that either the location or the appearance could cause a Radiologist to recommend an excisional biopsy (surgically removing the entire mass for evaluation) vs. a core needle biopsy (removing samples of the mass using a hollow needle).

Masses that are close to the skin or close to the chest wall can be difficult to access with a core needle. Sometimes the Radiologist might attempt a core needle biopsy first, to see if it's possible to extract good samples, but other times the Radiologist will immediately suggest a core biopsy because he/she knows that a core biopsy won't be possible.

And sometimes a mass looks suspicious enough that if a core needle biopsy comes back benign, the results will be considered discordant and a surgical biopsy will be recommended anyway to remove the entire mass so as to confirm the findings or determine if the core biopsy was inaccurate. These types of highly suspicious masses aren't always cancer - there are some benign lesions like radial scars that can look very much like cancer - but a benign core needle biopsy on a mass that is very suspicious will not be considered reliable. So it could be that the Radiologist feels that the entire mass should be removed to ensure an accurate assessment.

Let us know what the ultrasound report says - this will probably explain the Radiologist's recommendation.

Michelle02 · November 2019

Thank you for the input. The radiologist said it was irregular shaped. It feels like it's coming up from or attached to chest wall deep in breast. I did not think to ask about a biopsy at the time.

I wont see my doctor until Monday to get the results. I'm staying busy keeping my mind from wondering and I will hold off telling anyone until after I see my doctor.

At least they're being thorough I guess.

djmammo · November 2019

Michelle02

It is the current standard of care to biopsy a suspicious mass even if it is a definite B5 malignancy as the surgeon wants as much information as possible so they can better plan the lumpectomy. This will include a preop MRI as well.

Michelle02 · November 2019

Thank you for info. I guess I will know more after my appointment on Monday and I can ask about the biopsy before removal.

Michelle02 · November 2019

when i went for my results for my ultrasound the doctor i saw told me the results of the ultrasound was benign and not to worry about. I received a copy of the report and it says the images were corrected by a different radiologist than the one who had seen me after the ultrasound to tell me they usually remove the breast lumps with characteristics like mine. I got a copy of the report and it was given Birads 2 benign with a recommended follow up biopsy or excision since it was a new mass.

I wonder why a radiologist would see me after the scans to tell me he wants to have the mass removed for a benign mass. I was hoping to have a follow up ultrasound with another clinic to get a second opinion but they canceled the appointment as i had already an ultrasound elsewhere and they told me they would leave the breast lump until something changes. I'm having a hard time having a biopsy request filled by a doctor and i have not been feeling right and am not comfortable leaving this without a biopsy.

I haven't been feeling good lately and not sure if it can be related to the breast lump. About a week and a half ago i had a bad dizzy spell while brushing my daughters hair i thought i might pass out. I have been having dizzy spells quit a lot since then a few times to where i felt i might faint. I also have been having stomach aches quit often usually a sore stomach right after i eat and diarrhea (sorry tmi) I have been really tired lately also the weekends when i sleep in i can sleep til four in the afternoon and even then I'm exhausted. I have been saying for a long time and lately way too often 'I'm so tired' and 'i have a stomach ache' and this past week 'i feel dizzy" my kids are beginning to worry. I don't think this is related to stress as I am the happiest I've been ever and have less anxiety than i have ever had before. I don't think I'm a hypochondriac as I'm not scared I just want to feel good and live my life.

I don't know how to have a doctor listen to me and have a thorough diagnosis of this breast lump and the symptoms I've been feeling. I'm going to try see a doctor again tomorrow as the dizzy spells are worrying me and i want to have breast biopsy.

Beesie · November 2019

"it was given Birads 2 benign with a recommended follow up biopsy or excision since it was a new mass"

Well, that's inconsistent. A BIRADs 2 means benign with no action required. A biopsy recommendation comes with a BIRADs 4.

Could you copy or type out the exact wording from the report? djmammo will hopefully be able to help interpret what is going on.

As for how you've been feeling, although you may be at the happiest time of your life, this still might be stress/anxiety driven. Everything you've described is consistent with symptoms that might come about from anxiety. Physically these symptoms are real but the cause is not a physical ailment but instead is the anxiety. You've been experiencing breast concerns for a year, and have been in the middle of a confusing and stressful diagnostic process for a month. While your life might be very happy, this process is still very stressful, and could easily be causing these symptoms. It's not uncommon to read on this board that when someone is going through a lengthy diagnostic process or has just been diagnosed with breast cancer, they immediately start having symptoms like yours.

As for the breast lump causing such a diverse range of physical symptoms, that's extremely unlikely. Early stage breast cancer does not present in this way, and even women who are diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer often have no symptoms, or if they do, the symptoms tend to be isolated to the area with mets - bone pain, or pain near the liver, for example.

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