Breast Concerns

I am 37 with no family history of breast cancer. I had a lumpectomy in June 2003 which was a mass but was benign. I have had several lumps in my breast since Nov 2002. They removed the one mass and since it was benign they did not remove the others which several years later I still have. They said they were Fibroid Cysts. None of my many mammograms showed the lumps which were obvious to feel. I have not had a mammogram since 2004. In the last few days I have noticed swollen lymps under my arm and my left breast is very swollen. There is no pain unless I continue to press on the lumps. I have had pain in the same shoulder with the swollen lymph and also pain in the front of my hip for several months. There is no discoloration, pitting, nipple discharge or nipple concern. Can fibroid cysts spend under the arm? What do you think?

[Cleveland Clinic]

Dear concerned33,   Without being able to evaluate it is impossible to say for sure what is causing your symptoms.  It is best to check with your doctor who can ask questions and examine you.  Fibroid cysts do not spread.  

[Hope29]

Hi, I don't know but I would have it checked out! I am so glad you posted. I have a lump with only pain if you fuss with it,..and have the swelling going on under an armpit. I had an ultrasound, and mammogram last week which did not show a thing, but you can feel the lump, and then above it a bit, on the top of my breast it does not feel like a lump,..but thick tissue,..I know the tech who did the ultrasound said it looked like real thick fibroidous tissue, and yesterday for the first time, I had some pain go through it, kind of in bouts?? I am up in the middle of the night right now, because I am worried, and woke up with under my armpit hurting, and in between my breasts,..like above,..or higher up,...I am not even sure if you would call it breast pain? Things are getting confussing, I have to arrange for the MRI tomorrow, as nothing showed up on the tests, but like you the lump is palpitable. Is it possible, this lump you can clearly feel, may not show up on that too? I am real confused also at this point! Any input out there would be greatly appreciated!Thanks

[Hope29]

HI, Also I have had a hysterectomy,with the ovaries, tubes, uterus, and cervix removed, because of cervical cancer and fibroids,...That also makes me more nervous, because that was just done in July.And I have bleeding here and there, but I don't dare take the hormones they want to give me for it, because, if this is breast cancer, the meds could actually like feed it! Any advice?

[concerned33]

I have had problems with fibroid cyst since 2002. Which makes it very difficult to know when to be concern about a lump. I have had probably a dozen mammograms from 2002-2005 and they could never determine anything from the mammograms because of the fibroid tissue. They always did a ultrasound also with no real conculsions. I have not experienced any pain other than irritating the lumps. It sounds to me the pain you may have had last night was probably anxiety related to what is going on. I often wake up with chest pain right in the middle of my chest between my breast and it is usually when I am under a lot of stress. I have read a lot about breast cancer over the years. I believe using MRI now is probably a great idea, not much can be missed with a MRI. My doctor is out of the country right now, so yesterday I saw the Physicians Assistant who wrote me an order for another mammogram and ultra sound which I will schedule today. I am hoping if nothing is revealed from this they will do an MRI to finally put my mind to rest. It stinks not knowing what is going on with your body. I hope you are able to get the MRI soon and everything is fine, let me know. Good luck.

[Hope29]

Hi, I was reading up above,..it was not fibroids,..like I wrote about my hysterectomy(lack of the right word) but endometreitis?? however you spell that,  they took my ovaries, they also said that any time they leave them, they usually end up going back in for them?
I hope you get some answers and relieve your mind,..I know it's an awful stress for all of us! I am very confused, again,..my regular DR. who told me to call the gyno. said I would have a mri, but when I called, he referred me to a sergon,..now I am nervous, if I will get blown off or get answers,..or need more sergury (i am so tired of being picked and probed, and being knocked out for miscariges, then a tubal, now this) I really want to know that I am o.k., or make a good fight if not,..you know what I mean? I am still worried about the fact that I know something is there, but they didn't find it,..I know you have been there, and I am so glad you shared your story,..because I worried,they would think I was nuts,..when I know there a a lump,..and then the thick feeling above!
I will keep you posted,..keep me posted, you will be in my prayers!