Nipple Retraction

I would definetly talk to dr. sometimes it may not show on mammo, but you could ask for a breast mri and ultrasound....I hope it is nothing but I would make sure to get follow up testing.... mammos can miss things..good luck. speak to your dr. about your concerns..... they should follow up if just for peace of mind. Michele

Welcome lherridge,



You've come to a great place to ask this question and get support. I'm sorry for your worries.



Between the nipple retraction and the mass, you're right, you shouldn't stop there. Why don't you find a really good breast center, one which treats lots of breast concerns and ask them for a couple of names of highly regarded breast surgeons and see what he or she thinks?



Unfortunately, mammograms are inaccurate at least 10% of the time, and in dense breasts,much more, and ultrasound, while good, can miss things too. You sound like the perfect candidate for a breast MRI, a test which shows the breast tissue very well (and also has high false positives because of this). But in your situation, the MRI may just lead the doctors to the reason for the lump and the nipple pulling.



Your family doctor should be able to help you out with ordering a MRI while you wait to see a breast specialist.



You're instincts are right: better to keep looking than to look back.



Take care and post again should you like,

Tender

You are not crazy, you are trying to be pro-active in your health care. I would press to go to a breast specalist and ask for MRI and biopsy. The only good lump is in a jar.

Sheila

There are some types of breast cancer that will not show on a mammogram.  Inflammatory breast cancer is one of those.  Go to a breast surgeon and ask for a biopsy.  It is the only way to know for sure whether the lump is just fibrous tissue.

I had fybrocistic disease for years.  I would have lumps (fairly big in size) that would come and be gone within a couple of months.  That is one of the reasons that I waited so long before getting this last one checked.  I was almost too late.  Please don't quit until you find a doctor who will do a biopsy.  Its the ONLY way to know for sure.  I really hate when these doctors are so willing to gamble with someone else's life.  I'm quite sure if this doctor herself had a lump she would be getting a biopsy.

Do not feel guilty or allow any doctor to dissuade you from getting further tests.  Fibrous and lumpy breasts  are all the more reason to insist and get an MRI and possible biopsy. It will be great news when YOU FEEL you have done all necessary testing to rule out any possible problems.  BC doesn't get better or go away over time so insist on taking action now.  Best wishes, Joann

Glad to hear you are going with your gut feeling on this one, I agree with the other ladies here, second and third opinions are sometimes what it takes to get to the real diagnosis.

Good Luck , please be sure and let us know how things go for you.

In my thought and prayers for the best.

Nan

Good for you.



I had a lump . . . didn't show up on a mammogram and ultrasound and I was told I was fine. A year later I found out it was cancer. If anyone questions you, tell them my story. You are doing the right thing.

Hi:

I could have written "almost" exactly what you wrote. I find this very interesting.

Because I have fibrocystic breasts, and some "calcifications" in the very back of the left breast, right by chest wall was told to have a yearly mammogram and US which I did.

In April/06 had the same yearly ritual again. However, felt a lump

the size of a big pea (hard) close to the nipple. Told it to the mammo Tech and asked her to tell the Radiologist. I was familiar with the Radiologist (worked for him and Radiological group in that Hospital for years). I stopped in at his office before leaving and asked him if there were any changes in the findings, he assured me there weren't. I, being in a hurry, as was leaving the Country the next day wasn't really concerned as he said it was o.k.

 In hindsight, think he may have focused on the calcifications.........and me not discussing the lump with him was my fault, for sure. Tech assured me she discussed it with him, and he truly is an excellent Radiologist took his word for it. Believe  me when I say, I have learned my lesson!!!!!

About 6 weeks later, breast hurt and felt somewhat "warm" to the touch, me thinking it was a cyst acting up.

Returned to Canada approx 6 months later, insisted on a biopsy.... cyst or whatever.............

As soon as he was talking about blood pooling as he did an Ultrasound core biopsy; I knew it was bad news.

Next morning got a call from my GP to come to the office ASAP; that's when I was told I had IBC.

If only I was more persistent, I believe the 6 months would have made a huge difference; perhaps lymph nodes woudn't have been involved.

So sorry for prattling so much.....forgive me!!

Erika 

Lherridge

You are doing the right thing.  Any doctor who would say you are overreacting or dismiss you is not worth a grain of salt.  Please keep us updated.  Two weeks is really fast to get in with a breast specialist.  Sounds like your primary care fast tracked you when she made the referral maybe,  kudos for her.

Glad you pursued your gut feeling and are getting into the specialist's office.  When I had my first abnormal mammo it took me 3 weeks to get the appointment for the breast specialist, then 2 weeks later I was having a needle biopsy. fortunately for me that time it was B-9 but I was put on the 6 month watch program. Because of the close watch, I was dx with very early stage DCIS this spring.

Sometimes we do need to listen to our 'inner doctor' if we feel something is wrong we need to pursue until we find out what is going on.

Sheila

Hi amy pls tell me abt ur case of nipple retraction. Did u get ur check up done. Im also having same symptoms and worried. My nipple also pulls inward wen i raise arms. Otherwise it looks normal. Pls help

Liverpool14teen you may want to read our section on benign breast conditions. We hope you find this helpful.

Hi Amy can I ask how you got o