Fibroadenona

[SWEETPOLLY]

I had a needle localization biopsy done in August to remove a Fibroadenoma in my right breast. Once surgery began they found a second tumor that was removed and also confirmed to be Fibroadenoma. I am scheduled to go back in 6 months for a MRI and Mammogram of both breast, but in the meantime I have notices a hard painful limp in the same spot that the Fibroadenoma was taken out. Is this normal? I do not want to be a hypochondriac, but I don't want to ignore any significant signs considering my strong family history of breast cancer. My maternal grandmother has double mastectomy in her early 30's along with my aunt cousin and most recently my 29 year old sister was diagnosed with Ductal Carcinoma and also had a Mastectomy. Should I be concerned with these new findings?

[boninclyde]

Please try to find a Breast Cancer Center. These types of offices usually do everyting there and work very close with radiologist.They have their own. They are specialist, surgeons and also read films. Qualified to take you from begining to end. Call some of the Centers near you and explain your situation and that you may be moving but need a second opinion and possibly a biopsy. You can pick up your films from the other office that did them and take to your specialist (they are your films). You do have some time to reseach but if it turns out to be cancer, the earlier caught the better. The radiologist you have now should have showed you your films and the area of concern. Biopsies are pretty minor and do not normally hurt with only a small scar. YOUR PCP in Ca should be able to help you get started there and then they will help you get started in NYC if you need to but please see a specialist soon. If it is serious your doctor can get you an appointment much sooner than you can.

[aziya]

I called before the biopsy, the front desk said the radiologist doesn't answer the call or call back (seems to be the rule there), only the assistant can help. But the assistants don't know much, at least I felt they could not answer questions other than the techniques for the radiologist. Then I determined to accept the biopsy, also was encouraged by you.

Today, the first reason he made clear to me is that he was afraid of making things complex. If I had biopsy here but will have 6 month follow up and the later treatment (if there is any) in NYC, that'll be complex. So if the biopsy is not really necessary (based on another specialist's opinion), we could save this time. Another reason could be that he was not sure about my case. It is possibly not a serious problem.

It seems that you have more communications with your doctors. Here, I can ask my PCP to call me back but not the radiologist. :(

[aziya]

One thing I am so curious about is that why he canceled the biopsy when I was already laying there, after the nurse found the lump and cooled my breast down using ice, if the biopsy doesn't hurt at all.

[Montana girl 06]

Everytime I've had a biopsy the radiologist sent my report to a surgeon,and then I met with the surgeon and discussed my options. I considered the radiologist and surgeon as first and second opinion. I think the radiologist should have explained better to you why he chose not to do the biopsy. Maybe you can still call his office and find out.

[aziya]

Thank you so much! Because I seldom saw doctors and I am a foreigner. I am not sure how the medical system in America works. When I heard my PCP called to say somthing suspiciuos, biopsy might be needed, my first reaction is to find a second opinion. But my PCP said this radiologist is really good. I think OK, let me talk to him. i was not satisfied with our meet. I expected him start with explaining why he felt it was suspicious, but he started with how the biopsy process was like. I thought, hey, I didn't tell you I would do it. (Of course, I didn't say so.) I asked him a lot of questions about why and some statistic numbers in HIS hand, he gave me vague answers and a general number I can see everywhere. Only today he told me the truth and suggest me to see others.

The reason I didn't really look for the second opinion is because I will move next month (job reason). I called NY and found the doctors are so busy there that few of them are accepting new patient. And I also may not have too much time waiting for another appointment even here if a biopsy or surgery ends up really necessary. But now, I am more patient since I find a delay may not cause serious problem in this case, right? My PCP is not in the office today. I left her a note asking for a second reference.

What I learn from you is that a radiologist is not supposed to read film only before a decision of biopsy. Right? So my next doctor should still be a radiologist (a good one) or as you suggested, a breast specialist? This time, it will be in another "really good" hospital, at least around, I think. Does a breast specialist know how to read films? I will borrow my original films for her (or him) to look.

[boninclyde]

What kind of doctor is this? Sound like you need a breast specialist. Most doctors and radiologist work together. Why are you in CA now and need to go to NYC? Did I miss something? Most radiologist can look at a lump or cyst and tell from looking at them if they are abmormal. That is what he is there for. If he is not good at analizing I would get a second opinion from a specialist.

[aziya]

Thank you very much! This is a great place where I get encouragement. I will do it tomorrow.

[aziya]

Dear all, I went to the biopsy this afternoon. I was lying there, doctor came, asked me if I will go to NYC soon (I am now in CA). Yes I will next month. But I couldn't find any doctor accepting new patient till next Feb. He said he was afraid of making things complex. He also suggest I went to a second opinion to see if I really need any biopsy. He suggested biopsy before just because this lump looks differnet from the others, he didn't see this before. He also never made record on the patients he worked on to correlate the shape of the lump with benign and cancerous. He is just a radiologist. He won't think of identifing your problem in a context. Everybody said this radiologist is good. I believe he is good at telling the difference of the shape of the lumps and good at practicing biopsy. But he is not experienced in analysing. The next doctor I am looking for should have experience not only in reading films.

[aziya]

Dear all, I am new here. I was found to have suspicious lump last week and scheduled a core biopsy the day after tommorrow. I am hesitating to do such a biopsy because I strongly feel it is benign. I am still thinking that I may need a second opinion before the biopsy. I have quite a few cyst or noduels on both of the breasts. They are there for at least five years without much change. I didn't have any mammo or ultrasound on my breast before so that this time, they can not compare. Last week the radiologist found one of them is "somewhat lobulated", which I think is the only words that I understand as "suspicious". Then he suggested biopsy. I don't trust him. Because he didn't know my age (32)and my lump history. One thing I know from the reading these days, as you said here, is that cancer usually doesn't happen on one place. I study biology. My understanding of this is that if some benign lumps occur almost at the same time, especially in both breast, it is highly unlikely that one of it becomes cancerous. This is the first reason that make me unwilling to do the test. Another thing i am questioning these days is that if there is any statistic analysis indicates that women with benign lump who had biopsy turned out to have more troubles after the biopsy. I was searching such study but find only few. Such study is lacking because almost all the women will have it if doctor suggest, thus no control exist. From what you said here, my understanding is that you may have endless biopsies because of the result of last biopsy. Right? This make me even more resistent to have the biopsy on Wednesday. I want to cancel it and find another radiologist to study my films. Am I right? Could you please reply?

[aziya]

And all the best wishes for Boninclyde and all the other women here!

[aziya]

Thank you! May be I think too much. I will have it done.

[boninclyde]

You want know if it is benign until you have it biopsied. You are usually entitled to a second opinion with most insurance companies but with so many cyst or noduels you want know until you have the biopsy. If they never did  mamo or ultrasound before how do they know they are cyst or noduels that are benign? Cyst are usually asperated to drain the fluid from them. A good way of knowing if the lump is solid or not. I can't answer the question about multiple lumps. I read about cancer allot since I was recently diagnosed and allot of women have multiple cancers of the breast. I don't know about anyone having trouble after a biopsy other than mild pain and soreness that can continue sometimes for a few months after the biopsy. Once a doctor has biopsied a site and they know it is not cancer they would only recommend other biopies if there are changes in the breast seen on mamo or ultrasound. I would suggest the biopsy but the decision is yours. Maybe you need to ask your radiologist how long he has been doing these procedures, reading mamograms, etc. It is OK to slow down. Reschedule the appointment for a later date until you can do more reasearch. Hope this helps. Maybe you can post the doctor here up top. But your only true answer will come from the biopsy.

[Montana girl 06]

You mention you have a number of lumps and that can be common, but when something "new" and suspicious pops up, it should be checked out. I do agree it's a good idea to get a second opinion. A breast specialist would be a good source. But I would not decide NOT to have a biopsy until I got a medical opinion I trusted that agreed it was ok.

[cyn17]

My mother had two cancerous tumors in different parts of one breast. They didn't find the second tumor (size of a nickle) until they biopsied her breast after her mastectomy.

[Montana girl 06]

Thanks for your input. I tend to simplify what doctors say in my brain, which is probably not a good idea. I'm trying hard to remember exactly what the radiologist said and I think it was more like cancer does not appear suddenly in several areas of the breast but in just one area. Over time it could develop in several areas. Does that make more sense?

[boninclyde]

I am searching. But I have read about many women who have cancer in many areas of the breast. Some women have several different kinds of cancer in the breast also. Give me some time I will find you some information.

[boninclyde]

I can't answer your question. I am just hoping your are getting the correct information. I wish I could help you more. As the previous poster said it is a personal choice but in order to make it you have to be well imformed. Maybe your radiologist or breast specialist could explain better than us.

[cyn17]

Yes, I have heard the same. My mother didn't stay on top of her mammos, so there was certainly time for more cancer to develop.

As for your situation, everyone can have an opinion, but ultimately you're the one who has to decide what's right for you. My sister and I have had many conversations about breast cancer...she's for more radical measures and I'm more for a conservative approach. Neither is right or wrong...it's just a personal decision, which we both respect.

[Montana girl 06]

The radiologist actually did say to me that usually cancer  only appears in one place, not in multiple places in the breast.  Do you have more information or a place I can go to for info on cancer appearing in more than one place?

[boninclyde]

OK your situation is making more since. A little harder to understand than most. It is great that you feel good with the diagnoses, it seems we only are playing some game of give or take here. Hard to know what to do and the doctors are only as good as well I believe our on knowledge. And again it seem like I am questioning your integrety (sorry spelling - I know you are a school teacher)but I am not. I may  not know the answer myself but why did you say cancer only happens in one plsce in the breast. I do not believe this is true. Cancer can be different kinds and in several different spots in the breast not just one  type or grade or stage. Sorry if I am bumb founded. Just trying to help. Still trying to decide what to do myself after masectomy, between medication or surgery or both. I sometimes second guess my mesttomy but I know it was the only option I had per 4 breast specialists.

Lisa

[Montana girl 06]

At this point I'm just following up with a 6 month mammogram. Here's why. The 2nd radiologist's report was only 2 sentences long. I wonder if he truly studied my mammograms in depth or just thought, "Why can't this lady listen to what we say the first time around and get a biopsy?" (That's honestly what I felt when I read his report.) Also, my surgeon agreed with the 3rd radiologist. And what the 3rd radiologist said to me FINALLY made sense. I have multiple areas of calcifications that look similar. He said we could just "pick one" and do a biopsy on it but he really felt they were all benign. PLUS, he said all of these new calcifications were most likely caused by my last biopsy. So, in my mind I'm thinking, Hmmmmm, eenie, meenie, miney, moe, which cluster shall we choose, and how many more biopsies am I going to have to have as a result of all the new calcifications I'll probably get from this biopsy? Of course, I was also concerned about my "possible fibroadenomas." But they are several, similar lumps. Since cancer occurs in just 1 place in the breast, it's almost like my "many" suspicious areas cancel each other out by making them less suspicious. (I know I am oversimplifying this, but in my brain it's the way I remember what he said.) He said my lumps and calcifications are due to benign breast problems. One option he did give me was to remove the whole area of calcifications (about a 3 inch area in my small breast) but I've already had 2 surgeons advise against that unless it's more suspicious. Also, to remove all my suspicious lumps and calcifications they'd pretty much remove my entire breast. Reading the posts of those undergoing masectomies at this site has helped me accept the reality that it might be me someday, but for now I'm very comfortable with waiting 6 months because of the additional info I was given. One more thing, I truly believe in the power of prayer. I had so many people praying for me I truly believe God had a hand in this 3rd (but very experienced) radiologist reading my mammos and giving me a peaceful resolution (at least for 6 months and then, who knows what's next.) Sorry this is so long.

[boninclyde]

Sorry to be so addle but where are you now in the process? Are they doing the biopsy or not? I read an earlier post that 1 radiologist disagreed with your other two. Wanted to post you then but did not want you to take offense to what I felt but here goes. I Don't mean this to sound ugly but there is only one way to ask. Why (and I know from reading some of your other post I think) would you take the advice of one radiologist over two? Maybe you went into this in your other post but we have been posting all over the place and it is hard to keep up. Again I know this sounds cruel but I don't mean it to be. There must be a reason.

[Bunny711]

Lauren:

I hope you get this, can't put anymore posts on the other, and the site is filled for the day.......but I so hope you get this.

MY GOSH, I LOVE CALIFORNIA, I'M A NEW YORKER, vistied CA a few times ENJOY THE BEAUTY OF IT, IT WONDERUL...........................SNOW,IS A PLANE RIDE AWAY, YOU CAN VISIT!!!! I hope you get this to tell you have a wonderful weekend, enjoy the harbor, I love the ocean, my dream to live by it one day, up here in the east coast however.....

Yes we do watch what to eat, but honey considering the circumstances why not enjoy!!!!

If you want to, you can reach me outside of this at ***@****.....

PRAYERS TO ALL AND KEEP SMILING

[Montana girl 06]

My biopsy was originally scheduled for today, but they called to change it to next week because something "came up." I asked them to call me if anyone cancelled inbetween but haven't heard anything. And, yes, I'll post my results.