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Breast Cancer (Expert Forum)
Left breast increased in size § swelling under arm
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.
Left breast increased in size § swelling under arm
by MEB, Jul 28, 2002 12:00AM
Approx. 4 months ago, I started exp. pain in left armpit, then left chest, followed by enlarged lymph node and swelling and heat in left breast. Visited family Dr. treatments as follows, 2 diff. antibiotics and an anti-inflammatory (for infect.)minor improvement with regards to redness/fever/pain. 2nd diag. Viral infect. of rib cage, which takes 4/6 weeks to heal. During this time my left breast kept enlarging, although I was losing weight. Past 15 years wore 36B, now had to wear 38B with "adjustable" cups. Finally this was too tight. 3rd, a mammogram which stated left breast appears larger, no masses, etc. nodular parenchymal breast pattern bilaterally. Blood test came back fine. Still very sore and tired. If I do anything, physically, swelling increases in my armpit, spreading to my breast. Also bruising very easy, I even notice many small bruises appear on my breast sometimes and take weeks to go away. Now, nipple area on left side reacts differently to heat, cold and is extremely sensitive. Still losing weight. (Boy, if I could only market this, lose weight and increase breast size. LOL of course they'd need to be same size!)Dr. is stumped. Recommended a visit to a "rheumatology" specialist. I had a total hysterectomy approx. 15 years ago, have no other bone or joint pain, but I've never had a "breast problem" either. What type of specialist would you consult for this problem if it were you, and also, any specific tests I could ask about? Thank you for a wonderful site.
Doctor's Answer
by CCF-RN,MSN-rf, Jul 29, 2002 12:00AM
Dear meb: This could be mastitis (an infection of the breast). However, if the skin is red and hot, you might consider a second opinion from a breast specialist. He/she may be better able to identify the source of the problem. He/she may recommend a biopsy to be sure it is not inflammatory breast cancer.
Member Comments (2)
by healedbyJesus, Aug 28, 2002 12:00AM
You might want to request and ultra sound because from what I understand inflammatory breast cancer is not always detected by a mammogram. Mine was found by ultra sound. Do you also have little tiny pits in the breast, referred to as the skin of the orange?
by Sen_DubILove, Jul 02, 2008 02:36AM
A related discussion, Pain from armpit to left breast nipple was started.
