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Breast Hematoma due to Trauma?
I'm actually posting for my mother, whom I'm very concerned about. Hope this community may be so kind as to provide me some insight regarding her current situation -
Back in July, and not to get "TMI" or anything, but she was physically involved with a man. During one of their intimate moments, he had grabbed her left breast (and hard). A day later, she had noticed quite a bit of bruising on/around the area grabbed. Approx 1 week later, same breast felt hard in comparison to the other and she made an appointment with her PCP.
PCP advised it was likely due to the incident above, and to apply a warm compress (which my mother did). The firmness seemed to have dissipated little, however my mother did not keep up with applying the compresses. Just this past month or-so, the firm/tightness came back.
I was asked by my mother to give her an unbiased (if you will) exam. (Understand - growing up in a household of just women, this was not at all "ew" or weird - I mean, she IS my mother, besides.) I am not a medical professional, but comparing right from left breast when examining, I could definitely feel a difference. The same breast that has presented her problems didn't feel lumpy, but where, I think, the nipple ducts are, it felt as though the area was raised. Hard. Firm. Fixed. Whereas the right breast felt normal - soft and had give along the tissue.
My mother went back to her PCP this afternoon who suggested that it could possibly be a hematoma due to trauma, but did order a script for a mammogram and ultrasound of the breast. And now the waiting game...
I guess my question is this, and I know it hard to say, but what are or could be the chances this is breast cancer and NOT a hematoma? I'm terrified. My mother's terrified - leading herself to panic attacks. I feel helpless as I do not have the answers for my mother, nor how to put her mind at ease other than provide my utmost support.
Thanks
Back in July, and not to get "TMI" or anything, but she was physically involved with a man. During one of their intimate moments, he had grabbed her left breast (and hard). A day later, she had noticed quite a bit of bruising on/around the area grabbed. Approx 1 week later, same breast felt hard in comparison to the other and she made an appointment with her PCP.
PCP advised it was likely due to the incident above, and to apply a warm compress (which my mother did). The firmness seemed to have dissipated little, however my mother did not keep up with applying the compresses. Just this past month or-so, the firm/tightness came back.
I was asked by my mother to give her an unbiased (if you will) exam. (Understand - growing up in a household of just women, this was not at all "ew" or weird - I mean, she IS my mother, besides.) I am not a medical professional, but comparing right from left breast when examining, I could definitely feel a difference. The same breast that has presented her problems didn't feel lumpy, but where, I think, the nipple ducts are, it felt as though the area was raised. Hard. Firm. Fixed. Whereas the right breast felt normal - soft and had give along the tissue.
My mother went back to her PCP this afternoon who suggested that it could possibly be a hematoma due to trauma, but did order a script for a mammogram and ultrasound of the breast. And now the waiting game...
I guess my question is this, and I know it hard to say, but what are or could be the chances this is breast cancer and NOT a hematoma? I'm terrified. My mother's terrified - leading herself to panic attacks. I feel helpless as I do not have the answers for my mother, nor how to put her mind at ease other than provide my utmost support.
Thanks
Best Answer
First I would advise you to scale back on the research just yet; there is so much information on the internet that is very general and rarely applies to any specific case. Often this only serves to confuse one even more. The biopsy of course will be done under local anesthesia ... the question about removal of the nodule of course depends on the need after you get the biopsy results. With something that close to the skin surface and the size you describe might be done under a light IV sedation type of anesthesia ... I would doubt that she would be fully awake though but it certainly would be an Outpatient procedure. With a malignancy the stage is determined by many factors after the primary surgery is done to remove the nodule. Treatment of course depends also on the type, size,etc. of the area removed after the final Pathology report. This would be fairly far into the future (so to speak) after surgery (if that's even necessary), Path. reports and a consultation with the Oncologist who would direct the post-operative plan. Survival depends more on the nature of the nodule, the response to whatever treatment is deemed appropriate. I trust you when you say you tend to be a "negative thinker" but lets not get the cart too far in front of the horse here ... :). Try to take it one step at a time as it's all going to take a fair amount of time and can't be rushed regardless of our need to know NOW. Take care and keep in touch .....
Thank you for your kindness and putting my mind at ease a little. Biopsy scheduled for tomorrow. Will keep all posted.
My mother went for a mammogram and ultrasound yesterday where it was discovered she has a marble-sized nodule in her left breast, including a darkened mass (not sure of its location) within. After testing was completed, she was advised to seek out a specialist for further testing to determine whether or not said nodule is benign or malignant.
They stated the nodule was close to the skin (about a 1/4 inch beneath), but did not specify whether this was a good thing or bad. I can't help but to scour the Internet for answers if it is good or bad (benign or malignant).
So my questions are:
If it is benign, and removal is necessary rather than just a biopsy, does my mother have to be put under anesthesia or does she have a choice/preference for just a local/to be awake during the procedure?
If it is malignant, how is it determined the stage of cancer or its progression? Excuse my ignorance, but my uncertainties lie within where radiation comes into play, chemotherapy or both. Being that she is a 56 year old woman, a smoker and casual drinker, what might be her survival rate in the early stages of cancer or the latter?
My apologies for flooding, but I am at a complete loss. Even though my mother hasn't been diagnosed as having cancer, I cannot help but to think negatively. Optimism has never been my forte.
Many thanks.
They stated the nodule was close to the skin (about a 1/4 inch beneath), but did not specify whether this was a good thing or bad. I can't help but to scour the Internet for answers if it is good or bad (benign or malignant).
So my questions are:
If it is benign, and removal is necessary rather than just a biopsy, does my mother have to be put under anesthesia or does she have a choice/preference for just a local/to be awake during the procedure?
If it is malignant, how is it determined the stage of cancer or its progression? Excuse my ignorance, but my uncertainties lie within where radiation comes into play, chemotherapy or both. Being that she is a 56 year old woman, a smoker and casual drinker, what might be her survival rate in the early stages of cancer or the latter?
My apologies for flooding, but I am at a complete loss. Even though my mother hasn't been diagnosed as having cancer, I cannot help but to think negatively. Optimism has never been my forte.
Many thanks.
Thank you. Her results from the mammogram and ultrasound came back yesterday. Turns out there is a marble-sized nodule close to the outer skin and some darkened areas around the nodule. Next step is a biopsy. Praying it's benign.
This certainly sounds like it is the hematoma that is the culprit. After some time a hematoma may become quite firm if it is not absorbed into the tissue. This does often take a considerable amount of time. I see no reason that this would be a malignancy but if it were it would not be related to the incident that you have described. Your Mother is doing the right thing by seeing her Physician and having the recommended testing. This is the only way to know with certainty what is going on regarding this issue. Actually there are no answers until the Mammogram and Ultrasound are done and read by the Radiologist. Kindest regards ....
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