Member Comments are provided by individuals and reflect their personal opinions only. Under NO circumstances should you act on any advice or opinion posted in this forum. ALWAYS check with your personal physician before taking any action regarding your health! MedHelp International and our partners, sponsors and affiliates have no obligation to monitor any comments posted on this site, or the content and/or accuracy of such exchanges. MedHelp International does not endorse the views of any user.
Breast Cancer (Expert Forum)
Further testing needed?
Questions posted in the Breast Cancer Forum are answered by medical professionals from The Cleveland Clinic. Topics include Breast Biopsy, Chemotherapy, Hormone Therapy, Lumps, Lumpectomy, Lymph node dissection, Lymphedema, Mammograms, Mastectomy, Radiation Therapy, Reconstruction, Self Breast Exam, and Surgery.
Further testing needed?
by am_jay, Aug 27, 2005 12:00AM
About a month ago, I felt a pea-sized lump in my left breast. It feels close to the surface, at 9 o'clock, midway between the nipple & chest. I am 39, no kids, no pregnancies, no family hx of breast cancer.
Waited past next period, saw doc. She also felt the lump, sent me for a mammo. Mammo didn't show anything, so they referred me for an ultrasound. U/s also didn't show anything, other than a large blood vessel in the area of the lump, and the radiologist suggested MRI if I was still "uneasy". Dr didn't seem too concerned, mumbled something about possibly a biopsy, but was also going to talk to her advisors to see if they had any other suggestions. (My Dr is a resident at the local university practice, and has a couple experienced doctors overseeing her.)
I was left feeling that the MRI or biopsy was unnecessary, and that my concern was unfounded, to say the least.
Should I insist on the MRI and/or biopsy? What kind of palpable lumps won't show up on mammo or u/s? What could an MRI show or not show that wouldn't require a biopsy anyway? Should I wait a couple months & see if it changes?
Waited past next period, saw doc. She also felt the lump, sent me for a mammo. Mammo didn't show anything, so they referred me for an ultrasound. U/s also didn't show anything, other than a large blood vessel in the area of the lump, and the radiologist suggested MRI if I was still "uneasy". Dr didn't seem too concerned, mumbled something about possibly a biopsy, but was also going to talk to her advisors to see if they had any other suggestions. (My Dr is a resident at the local university practice, and has a couple experienced doctors overseeing her.)
I was left feeling that the MRI or biopsy was unnecessary, and that my concern was unfounded, to say the least.
Should I insist on the MRI and/or biopsy? What kind of palpable lumps won't show up on mammo or u/s? What could an MRI show or not show that wouldn't require a biopsy anyway? Should I wait a couple months & see if it changes?
Doctor's Answer
by CCF-RN,MSN-rf, Aug 31, 2005 12:00AM
Dear am_jay: Unfortunately, there is no perfect test in medicine. Although the majority of cancerous lumps will show up on either mammography or ultrasound, there is a small percentage that do not. MRI is another test that can sometimes identify abnormalities that may not otherwise show up on mammography. Without the opportunity to palpate the lump, it is not possible to guess at whether this feels benign or not. Nonetheless, the general ruleof thumb is that a palpable lump requires further investigation, at least until there is relative confidence in an explanation for the lump. Ultimately, if you are not comfortable with the recommendation, you should discuss proceeding with either the MRI or biopsy, if for no other reason than your peace of mind.
10 yrs. later after some personal setbacks, I wanted a nipple and possibly a little balance", the right was higher up and mothers nature lowered the left more. So I had the nipple reconstruction from tissue on the inside of upper thigh and a small implant on the left side to add some volume, it looked good but being a smoker I was told I was having a longer and harder time healing. After 5 weeks and quitting smoking, there was still crust around the new nipple I became a little worried that something was amiss. Well I didn't wait long after that to get my answer.
The breast got red and hot so I went to the emergency room, they gave me antibotics through IV. and sent me home. 2 week later on a visit to my surgeon he sent me back to the ER. because the reddness was returning AND THE NIPPLE WAS STILL INFECTED. This time they ran blood tests and found out I had MRSA Staff infection and needed IV THERAPY. 3 weeks worth, pickline insert, and after 2 weeks they sent me home to continue therpy on my own.. Early to rise, IV DRIP IN THE MORNING BEFORE WORK, AND AGAIN AT NIGHT AFTER SUPPER...
Bummer, but no reddness.. anyway this did not work for long and back into the hospital with mrsa again, seems the implant was harboring the germ so OUT with the implant, off with the new nipple " which was now all mishappened and a mess from the infection and another pickline reinserted and more vincomisem (SP)antibotic.
So a new decision needed to be made, no breast implant AT ALL or A tramsflap... I liked the idea of a flat stomach and softer breast so I went with the trams... 10 weeks later, still sore deep inside, possibly the muscle or another hernia (had 3 so far from this surgery). Can't stop the draining, 2 or 300 cc's a day, and the drain keeps coming out and having to be reinserted. Doctor took me back to surgery 4 weeks ago andredid the flap because I had a huge cavit in the stomach holding all this fluid.
Stomach is all wavy and lumpy, but the doctor says all is good.. doesn't understand why I still need pain meds and how impossible it is to dress for work trying to hide that darn Jackson Pratt drain. I am so miserable, in pain , swollen, hunched over, a mess.... will this end sometime this year! Tell me your story, did it get better, do I need the mesh taken out because this might be the reason for the fluid build-up, will the pain meds do me longterm harm, will I ever be feeling ok again!!
Bless you all
Ruby