Breast Cysts

[Concerned in B'ville]

In March this year I found several lumps in my right breast with pain in my armpit.  My doctor sent me for a mammogram, immediately I was called to come in for more views and ultrasound of both breast.  The ultrasound revealed several cyst and a nodule in my rt breast of concern.  I was referred to the nearby Breast Center to see a Surgeon.  I also have swollen lymph nodes in my neck and armpit.  I was to have a needle localization for the nodule, cyst aspiration, and removal of an enlarged lymph node under my arm.  They just did the cyst apsiration.  The radiologist said the nodule didn't impress him and would follow-up in 6mths.  The lymph node had gone down.  I am schedule for a biopsy of the swollen lymph nodes in my neck in a few weeks.  My problem is now the pain and lumps are back in my rt breast and more lymph nodes are swollen in my armpit.  I just found out my sister is being treated for a rare uterine cancer.  Should I have other concerns about all of this?

[Teresita]

My last mamo showed that I had a 3.5 cent mass in my right breast. I was called back in to have a spot compression mamo and an ultrasound. I was then given a birad #4 and ordred to have the mass surgically removed. No biopsy or anything. They just acted like it was important that it come out and that it be soon. This really worried me.  I chose a general surgeon I had used before. The morning of the surgery I had to go in early and have a wire locator inserted so that the doctor could show the surgeon exactly where the mass was. I was more terrified of this than of the actual surgery. Putting a wire in my breast did not sound like anything I could tolerate. I went in the morning of the procedure and was given a mamo just like normal. Then the doctor came in and said he was going to apply some numbing cream to my breast. He then gave me a shot which I did not even feel. I did feel the medicine going through my skin though, but it was not painful. He then inserted the wire and all I felt was pressure. No pain at all. They then had to take another mamo to make sure it was in the right spot. They also inserted some blue dye to  make it easier to spot. After all this they took 2 more pictures and it was over. The worst part of the whole thing was sitting with your breast on the mamo plate for about 30 min. If you have to have this done I recommend that you wear a loose fitting top with no bra. You don't want anything to stick to you. I went into surgery at 11 and was in the recovery room waking up at 12. After the surgery they said to wear a form fitting bra for support, but I found that the best pain relief for me was no bra and a heating pad worn over my night gown, along with a small pillow to cushion yourself while you sleep. I got my results back and it was found to be a fibroid mass with many paplomas all found to be benign. I hope this story will ease someones nerves the way other stories on this forum eased mine. Thank you and good luck. :)

[CCF-RN,MSN-JS]

Dear B'ville, It is best to make sure your surgeon is aware of the changes and your concerns.  They should be able to evaluate your situation in context of physical examination and test results, and advise you as to what to do at this point based on these changes.