Fibrocystic Breasts

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, I'm glad there has been no definitive bad news but, as a very recent breast cancer survivor, I urge you to make an IMMEDIATE appointment with a breast surgeon to have the mass evaluated. I do not mean to be alarmist, and believe me I know how scary any abnormality in the breast can be, but each day that ticks by is an opportunity for any potential malignancy (and I do truly and sincerely hope that's not what you're facing) to metastisize and spread to your lymph nodes. You have every right to demand immediate attention based on the results of the ultrasound and I can't recommend enough that you move quickly (at worst you will get a quick answer that it's NOT a malignancy, which will be a huge relief). I would call your doctor today and demand a referral (if your insurance requires it) to a breast surgeon or contact one yourself if you do not need a referral. After my ultrasound the radiologist acted fairly unconcerned and told me I should "probably" have a biopsy to investigate further but did not give me any indication that it was urgent or that he suspected anything malignant. That day, I scheduled a biopsy for two weeks later and, although nervous, I didn't feel like there was any emergency based on the radiologist's demeanor. What he did not know, however, was that my GP has an online system that provides patients access to all records and later that evening I saw the letter he sent my GP stating that he viewed my mass as "highly suspicious" of BC. After gathering my wits, I moved quickly when I saw that and referred myself to a breast surgeon b/c I did not have time to wait around for my GP to get my call and get back to me. And I am grateful every day that I moved fast b/c it turned out I had a micrometastisis to one lymph node that was just waiting to spread. FWIW, there is zero history of BC in my family and I tested negative for the BRCA gene mutations. But I have a 4-year-old DC and darn well plan to be around to see my DC graduate HS, at a minimum. So I don't have time to waste. I urge anyone with any kind of lump to move quickly to have it evaluated. Best wishes to you for a different result than I had, OP!

Thank you so much for this advice. I will be requesting a biopsy and a referral to a breast surgeon. May I ask what treatment you were given for your bc?

[Anonymous]

Just spoke with my doctor- they are awaiting a call from the radiology center and will be calling me with a recommendation from there. My doctor is fairly proactive so I am assuming she will refer me to a breast surgeon for a consultation + biopsy. So I will be waiting for her call. PP, if you don't mind, could you tell me what your ultrasound showed? Was your lump mobile or static? I was feeling pretty confident coming out of the radiology center that it was nothing too worrisome but now you've got me concerned! (Thank you, though. Better to be overly cautious than cavalier with this.)

[Anonymous]

11:44 here -- I found a lump but the GP (who was not my regular GP) thought it was just a cyst or something else benign. For reference, it was a hard lump, not soft or fluidy, and it was moveable in that I could kind of push it around, although it stayed in the same place if that makes sense. She recommended a diagnostic mammogram. After the mammogram the radiologist said he wanted to an ultrasound so I stayed and did that. During the ultrasound he said he could definitely detect a "nodule" and that it looked to be about 1.5cm and he said it would probably be a good idea to do a biopsy just to confirm what it was. As I said, very casual, no urgency, although I did sort of get the feeling that he wasn't making eye contact with me. When I checked out they scheduled the biopsy for about two weeks later and, again, the scheduler gave me no indication that it was urgent. So at that point all I knew was that they were seeing a "nodule" that warranted futher investigation. It wasn't until I saw the letter indicating invasive carcinoma that I had any idea I was seriously facing cancer. BTW, FWIW, the biopsy was not bad or particularly painful or anything (I had never had one before).

You are absolutely doing all the right things by moving quickly and getting the right folks to evaluate. You will be fine, just stay vigilant and don't be ashamed to advocate for yourself. Waiting for results is the hardest part.

[Anonymous]

Thank you so much for this advice. I will be requesting a biopsy and a referral to a breast surgeon. May I ask what treatment you were given for your bc?


It turned out I had stage IIB IDC (invasive ductal carcinoma) and a ~3cm tumor with extensive DCIS (ductual carcinoma in situ) hidden behind it. I had a bilateral mastectomy (I didn't want to spend my life wondering whether I was going to get it again in the other breast) with immediate reconstruction followed by 16 weeks of chemotherapy. I was able to work full time while in chemotherapy and did not have radiation. Now about 10 months cancer free!

Again, you are doing all the right things and best of luck on the results!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thank you so much for this advice. I will be requesting a biopsy and a referral to a breast surgeon. May I ask what treatment you were given for your bc?

It turned out I had stage IIB IDC (invasive ductal carcinoma) and a ~3cm tumor with extensive DCIS (ductual carcinoma in situ) hidden behind it. I had a bilateral mastectomy (I didn't want to spend my life wondering whether I was going to get it again in the other breast) with immediate reconstruction followed by 16 weeks of chemotherapy. I was able to work full time while in chemotherapy and did not have radiation. Now about 10 months cancer free!

Again, you are doing all the right things and best of luck on the results!

Wow. It's a little intense to even think about reconstruction or chemo or anything of that nature. I'm glad it went so well for you, though I am, of course, hoping for a different outcome. My radiologist did not mention anything of a nodule and did make eye contact (LOL) and this is a lump I have had for years and years. (Though, I obviously understand even benign lumps can go malignant at any time really.) I am not afraid of the biopsy; I believe I was told they'd just numb the area and do a quick needle extraction. I will update with my doctor's recommendation when she calls, and will be sure to schedule any follow up procedures ASAP.

[Anonymous]

11:44 again -- just wanted to say again that it sounds like you are doing all the right things and I hope you have a good outcome! Your US results definitely sound different from mine -- which is a good thing! As I said before, waiting for results is the hardest part! GL!

[Anonymous]

Just a quick "good luck" to all posting on this thread. I had a fibroidadenoma surgically removed three years ago and it was hands down the best thing I've done for major fibrocystic breast pain. The surgeon was stunned that I had such immediate relief, but I was in extreme discomfort (radiating down my right arm) as the thing grew (3 cm at removal). I still have cystic breasts but the pain is much less intense. I had a great surgeon at Georgetown and highly recommend their treatment center.

[Anonymous]

I think this thread saved my life. I am not OP, but had a very similar situation. 11:44's post made me get my butt to a surgeon. They found a tiny malignancy DCIS, and extensive precancerous DCIS in one breast. And precancerous LCIS in both. I am having a bilateral mastectomy but do not need chemo or radiation. If I had not read this thread, I don't think I would have had this checked out until I was 40. I am am 36 yo.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Op here. Saw my doctor this morning. She said the lump felt different than it did during my yearly exam last fall- bigger and more raised up. She ordered an ultrasound to get an idea what kind of mass it is. I go in Wednesday morning for that. Hoping just a cyst but who knows. Will update.

That's just what I was about to recommend. Good luck. Ultrasounds don't hurt at all.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Op here. Saw my doctor this morning. She said the lump felt different than it did during my yearly exam last fall- bigger and more raised up. She ordered an ultrasound to get an idea what kind of mass it is. I go in Wednesday morning for that. Hoping just a cyst but who knows. Will update.

That's just what I was about to recommend. Good luck. Ultrasounds don't hurt at all.

Didnt read rest of postings. Make sure the radiologist who read your film is a breast specialist, not a generalist. If not, get a DVD and find a radiologist who is a breast specialist to give his opinion. And then yes, absolutely see a breast surgeon as well. You may not need a biopsy so I would not "demand" that if they don't recommend

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Just a quick "good luck" to all posting on this thread. I had a fibroidadenoma surgically removed three years ago and it was hands down the best thing I've done for major fibrocystic breast pain. The surgeon was stunned that I had such immediate relief, but I was in extreme discomfort (radiating down my right arm) as the thing grew (3 cm at removal). I still have cystic breasts but the pain is much less intense. I had a great surgeon at Georgetown and highly recommend their treatment center.

Name of surgeon?