Male and Confused. Symptoms don't match Results

Sorry you're worried! I believe there's a forum on male breast cancer on this site (unfortunately I can't provide the link at the moment). You might want to post your questions about gynecomastia vs breast cancer there as well?

Did they have any explanation for the pain? Is the enlargement something new or recent? Was there any explanation for why it is one sided?

What kind of comprehensive breast center did you visit, such as, are they affiliated with a medical or research center?

I understand your concern. I received a diagnosis of breast cancer last year and had a lumpectomy in December, then radiation in the spring. However, there were two occasions in the years before my diagnosis when I went to (perhaps) the wrong place, and (perhaps) did not get the workup I should have received. For example, a couple years ago, I felt a lump before getting my routine mammogram (but within a month after my visit with a doctor who wrote the screening mammo prescription). The person who did my mammo ignored my concern about a lump, did not try to find it (which I protested at the time), did not mark it or anything, then when my mammogram came back looking normal, I was dismissed with comments about "anxiety" (hinting I was imagining the lump). Prior to that, something did appear on a screening mammogram, but they determined in a diagnostic mammo that it dispersed so was not a lump. As it turns out, my cancer, invasive lobular carcinoma, is one that does not show up on mammograms. Also, it grows in sheets and often fails to form a lump. It is a slow growing cancer. During those years I felt exhausted and unwell and saw plenty doctors. It all makes me wonder how long the cancer was there, and might it have been caught earlier? So don't be ashamed or afraid of questioning the doctors and persisting until you are confident you have the answers you need.

My recent BC surgery was at a famous cancer center in NYC, and I am confident had I been getting my mammograms there, any relevant earlier abnormality would have been less likely to be missed (I believe that earlier lump I felt would at least have been checked and probably biopsied).

I think male breast cancer is uncommon enough, if I were you I would want to make sure to be evaluated somewhere where they are really expert. Also, if you are having pain there, maybe you need an antibiotic? I don't know much about gynecomastia, but it does seem odd to me if it is one-sided.

If you don't mind spending some money on a second opinion, if all else fails, you could try an online second opinion somewhere like Cleveland Clinic, or maybe Memorial Sloan Kettering in NYC (they might do them). Or if you are close to one of these places, you could try to be seen in person, which is actually better, and also more likely to be covered by insurance.

Good luck, and I hope you get answers soon.

Superman17, sorry about your plight. I’m a guy treated five years ago for breast cancer and I’ve helped many men here over the years who have come with gynecomastia who have posted here with their worries.

After carefully reading through your report of the tests you’ve had to date, I’d be confident to say that you don’t have breast cancer. Let me know if you have further worries, but try to stay calm in the knowledge that you have good medical people taking care of you.

I’m well, thanks. I really am confident that you are on the case. Worry is a natural part of the process of getting the right diagnosis. Post here any time you like and I’ll help in any way I can.

Superman - I don't think a Mammo will, but likely an ULS will. However someone else will likely know more.

Attached is a link to a diagram of the lymph system. I was able to feel my swollen lymph node, as was my doctor. I believe that an ULS might show general lymph swelling & prompt more testing, but if cancer has moved to the lymph nodes I believe an MRI is the definitive test.

https://www.sasklymph.ca/lymph_diagram_wide.php

sorry Superman, I don't know any more. I expect TravelText will be along later.

I'm sorry, but I don't understand. You've been told pretty definitely that it's gynecomastia and not cancer, but you seem ... disappointed? Maybe you have health anxiety issues that you need to address.

Superman17. You’ve had a lot of people here doubting your self-diagnosed breast cancer and I think you can relax for now. Of course, remain vigilant, keep seeing your docs, but don’t assume the worst meanwhile.