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Lumps at impact sites
My wife was struck by my 10-yr old son - and at the site of impact a lump developed and has persisted for a few weeks. Her physician conducted a mamogram (Jan 2008) and confirmed the presence of a lump (it easily could be felt). (A previous mamogram (Oct 2007) showed no lumps anywhere.) The ultrasound radiologist ranked the lump birad 5. A follow-up needle biopsy by a pathologist was not diagnostic (cancer was not simply not shown). The suggestion by the pathologist is for surgical biopsy on the lump. Her gynocologist and nurse concur.
My wife is v. upset b/c she doesn't not believe the lump is cancer. She bumped her leg while jogging recently and got a lump at the site of the impact too. That lump went away in time. She is confused by the thinking of the diff. doctors who have tried to help and advise.
She feels that she may loose her breast due to continued non-conlcusive tests that have yet to confirm cancer.
My questions are (sorry to have more than one): Can impacts cause lumps in the breast that might perplex physicians into thinking it might be cancer lump when it is an impact lump?
Have you heard of mastectomies being conducted for testing purposes - where in actuality there was not cancer?
If so how can this be prevented in my wife's case - or someone else?
My wife is v. upset b/c she doesn't not believe the lump is cancer. She bumped her leg while jogging recently and got a lump at the site of the impact too. That lump went away in time. She is confused by the thinking of the diff. doctors who have tried to help and advise.
She feels that she may loose her breast due to continued non-conlcusive tests that have yet to confirm cancer.
My questions are (sorry to have more than one): Can impacts cause lumps in the breast that might perplex physicians into thinking it might be cancer lump when it is an impact lump?
Have you heard of mastectomies being conducted for testing purposes - where in actuality there was not cancer?
If so how can this be prevented in my wife's case - or someone else?
Hi,
I am really sorry to hear about the diagnosis in your wife's case. Post us the report of the biopsy and anything else you would want to clarify about.
In the meantime, you should go ahead with the second opinion and also let us know what the specialist advises.
Hope this helps.
Regards.
I am really sorry to hear about the diagnosis in your wife's case. Post us the report of the biopsy and anything else you would want to clarify about.
In the meantime, you should go ahead with the second opinion and also let us know what the specialist advises.
Hope this helps.
Regards.
Hi - as your wife's tumour seems to be large, there is the possibility of having chemo first, to shrink it, thus perhaps allowing for a wide local excision (lumpectomy) instead of a mastectomy. I have a friend who had a 6 cm tumour, had 6 x FEC chemos and only needed a WLE. You need to discuss this with a breast cancer specialist.
Good luck
Liz.
Good luck
Liz.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Hi,
In clinical practice, it is quite common for serious conditions to be discovered after trivial injury to that part; this seems to have happened to your wife. Her history of developing relatively large bumps after minor trauma is a different issue, probably related to increased tendency to bruise, or maybe her body mounts an aggressive local response leading to local tissue edema.
About her diagnosis of breast cancer, it is unfortunate. However, you both need to decide quickly about the course of action you would be comfortable taking.
The normal sequence to be followed is this: First, complete all staging procedures, including imaging and bone scanning. Second, plan the treatment. Usually it consists of surgery followed by chemotherapy, and then radiotherapy. She may also be given other forms of therapy like monoclonal antibodies (Herceptin or trastuzumab) and hormonal agents, depending on her reports.
Please decide quickly and begin therapy, as cancer's response to therapy will decrease as the tumor expands.
I wish you and your family strength during this difficult time.
In clinical practice, it is quite common for serious conditions to be discovered after trivial injury to that part; this seems to have happened to your wife. Her history of developing relatively large bumps after minor trauma is a different issue, probably related to increased tendency to bruise, or maybe her body mounts an aggressive local response leading to local tissue edema.
About her diagnosis of breast cancer, it is unfortunate. However, you both need to decide quickly about the course of action you would be comfortable taking.
The normal sequence to be followed is this: First, complete all staging procedures, including imaging and bone scanning. Second, plan the treatment. Usually it consists of surgery followed by chemotherapy, and then radiotherapy. She may also be given other forms of therapy like monoclonal antibodies (Herceptin or trastuzumab) and hormonal agents, depending on her reports.
Please decide quickly and begin therapy, as cancer's response to therapy will decrease as the tumor expands.
I wish you and your family strength during this difficult time.
Sorry to hear about your wife, it is a very difficult situation for you all.
Your wife's lump seems quite large, so my guess is the surgeon wants to get it out of there asap to avoid any spread.
If your wife does need to loose the breast, there is the option of reconstructing the breast at the same time. There are many different options available.
If you wife has Estrogen and Progestrone positive receptors then she should stop taking the hormone drugs immediately as they are feeding the cancer.
It is a very scary time for your all, so the best of luck making the right decisions.
Your wife's lump seems quite large, so my guess is the surgeon wants to get it out of there asap to avoid any spread.
If your wife does need to loose the breast, there is the option of reconstructing the breast at the same time. There are many different options available.
If you wife has Estrogen and Progestrone positive receptors then she should stop taking the hormone drugs immediately as they are feeding the cancer.
It is a very scary time for your all, so the best of luck making the right decisions.
Hi:
The biopsy reports a diagnosis of carcinoma in the mass of my wife's breast based on frozen section study by a pathologist.
We will seek a 2nd opinion from a breast specialist for both the diagnosis and treatment options. We have an appointment at a major breast cancer center this coming week. films and the slides have been requested by the 2nd opinion breast cancer center. We remain vigilant - but it is tough.
The pathology report is quite detailed w/ tooooo many words that my wife and I do not know - and sentences often have little meaning it seems. I cannot disect the fine content w/ confidence.
My wife has been perscribed hormone therapy by her gyn. - which she has taken for years and continues to take at this time. The path. rept. has a passage titled: ESTROGEN (ER0 AND PROGESTERONE RECEPTOR (PR). W/in this passage it is written: "...Any amount of nuclear staining is considered positive..." Would you be will to discuss this issue. Is this implying that the cancer is of a type that benefits from these 2 hormones? I am wondering if my wife should stop the hormone replacement therapy - and therefore deprive the cancer of the additional concentration of hormones.
This is so overwhelming Doc. i don't know if my layman ques. is a good one - so don't feel that you need to go through a lot of education to bring me up to speed.
W/o knowing how to proceed (other than waiting for our 2nd opinion appt.) - I found myself thinking of your forum. I find a comfort in knowing it exist for us. Thank you for offerring it to the larger community.
Regards.
The biopsy reports a diagnosis of carcinoma in the mass of my wife's breast based on frozen section study by a pathologist.
We will seek a 2nd opinion from a breast specialist for both the diagnosis and treatment options. We have an appointment at a major breast cancer center this coming week. films and the slides have been requested by the 2nd opinion breast cancer center. We remain vigilant - but it is tough.
The pathology report is quite detailed w/ tooooo many words that my wife and I do not know - and sentences often have little meaning it seems. I cannot disect the fine content w/ confidence.
My wife has been perscribed hormone therapy by her gyn. - which she has taken for years and continues to take at this time. The path. rept. has a passage titled: ESTROGEN (ER0 AND PROGESTERONE RECEPTOR (PR). W/in this passage it is written: "...Any amount of nuclear staining is considered positive..." Would you be will to discuss this issue. Is this implying that the cancer is of a type that benefits from these 2 hormones? I am wondering if my wife should stop the hormone replacement therapy - and therefore deprive the cancer of the additional concentration of hormones.
This is so overwhelming Doc. i don't know if my layman ques. is a good one - so don't feel that you need to go through a lot of education to bring me up to speed.
W/o knowing how to proceed (other than waiting for our 2nd opinion appt.) - I found myself thinking of your forum. I find a comfort in knowing it exist for us. Thank you for offerring it to the larger community.
Regards.
Hi,
The biopsy report would be essential before the further management plan can be decided.
Let the report come in, talk to another breast specialsit after that - to get a review of your's wife's case and condition and then discuss the treatment options available.
You could talk to your doctor or family physician to refer you to another breast specialist.
Let us know how she is doing and what does the report say.
Hope this helps.
Regards.
The biopsy report would be essential before the further management plan can be decided.
Let the report come in, talk to another breast specialsit after that - to get a review of your's wife's case and condition and then discuss the treatment options available.
You could talk to your doctor or family physician to refer you to another breast specialist.
Let us know how she is doing and what does the report say.
Hope this helps.
Regards.
Hi:
Today my wife had a cut-biopsy (or open biopsy) on her L breast in an effort to get a more thorough diagnosis than the mamogram and a needle biopsy that yielded a non-diagnostic determination. The plan was to remove tissue about the size of "coin" - the surgeon described. The surgeon reported that a frozen section of tissue was studied and was judged by the pathologist to contain cancer cells w/ 99.9% certainty. But the surgeon said that we should wait for the detailed report before making plans - which is expected in 72 hrs or less which should be definitive.
The surgeon discussed w/ her that he prob. will NOT be able to save that breast. Apparently the lump is relatively large - surprising since her Oct. mamogram was judge to be fine. Loosing the breast is not acceptable my wife said.
Can you discuss alternative treatment rather than breat removal for a lump the volume of a tangerine?
She has been surfing the web - and reading about shrinking lumps prior to surgery - so that one can have a lumpectomy.
She will request on second opinion - hopefully from a physician that can offer such alternative ideas/suggestions. Although we don't know where to turn for such consultation.
Any general insight or insight about how we might tap into the world of nonsurgical treatment that you might offer will be appreciated.
Regards.
Today my wife had a cut-biopsy (or open biopsy) on her L breast in an effort to get a more thorough diagnosis than the mamogram and a needle biopsy that yielded a non-diagnostic determination. The plan was to remove tissue about the size of "coin" - the surgeon described. The surgeon reported that a frozen section of tissue was studied and was judged by the pathologist to contain cancer cells w/ 99.9% certainty. But the surgeon said that we should wait for the detailed report before making plans - which is expected in 72 hrs or less which should be definitive.
The surgeon discussed w/ her that he prob. will NOT be able to save that breast. Apparently the lump is relatively large - surprising since her Oct. mamogram was judge to be fine. Loosing the breast is not acceptable my wife said.
Can you discuss alternative treatment rather than breat removal for a lump the volume of a tangerine?
She has been surfing the web - and reading about shrinking lumps prior to surgery - so that one can have a lumpectomy.
She will request on second opinion - hopefully from a physician that can offer such alternative ideas/suggestions. Although we don't know where to turn for such consultation.
Any general insight or insight about how we might tap into the world of nonsurgical treatment that you might offer will be appreciated.
Regards.
Hi,
Glad the post was of some help to you.
Do keep us psoted about how your wife is doing and how did the appointment with the doctor go and what was advised.
Let us know if you have any doubts.
Regards.
Glad the post was of some help to you.
Do keep us psoted about how your wife is doing and how did the appointment with the doctor go and what was advised.
Let us know if you have any doubts.
Regards.
Many thanks for your reply.
Inpacts characteristically cause a unusually large lump w/r/t my wife - regardless of locality on the body. The pathologist inquired if she had been impacted by an animal at the site of the breast lump. The response was yes - and that the timing corresponds w/ the appearance of the lump.
My wife has a intro. appt. w/ the surgeon this Thurs. We will discuss our ques./concerns w/ the surgeon, a breast specialist, as you suggest. Thank you.
Her Gyn and pathologist are urging serious consideration w/o delay. The lump seems to have formed over a v. short period of time.
Again many thanks for your feedback.
Inpacts characteristically cause a unusually large lump w/r/t my wife - regardless of locality on the body. The pathologist inquired if she had been impacted by an animal at the site of the breast lump. The response was yes - and that the timing corresponds w/ the appearance of the lump.
My wife has a intro. appt. w/ the surgeon this Thurs. We will discuss our ques./concerns w/ the surgeon, a breast specialist, as you suggest. Thank you.
Her Gyn and pathologist are urging serious consideration w/o delay. The lump seems to have formed over a v. short period of time.
Again many thanks for your feedback.
Hi,
You need to calm down and think this out rationally and also talk to your wife in detail about this.
An impact does not commonly cause a lump. But in case it does - it is known to resolve spontaneously with time. Also in such cases the radiology would normally classify it as BIRAD 1, 2 or maybe 3.
A BIRAD 5 means that the lesion or lump is showing radiological signs of malignancy and therefore a cancer definitely needs to bo ruled out.
If the needle aspiration is inconclusive in such cases a biopsy is usually the next step.
What is important is that you discuss this with your doctor in detail - i suggest you also consult a breast specialist who would be the best judge of whether a sugical excision biopsy is required or your wife could wait for a review of the lump in some time.
What is being suggested is a biopsy not mastectomy, your wife will not lose her breast and a confirmed diagnosis would be available.
Do let us know if you have any more doubts.
Hope this helps.
Good luck.
You need to calm down and think this out rationally and also talk to your wife in detail about this.
An impact does not commonly cause a lump. But in case it does - it is known to resolve spontaneously with time. Also in such cases the radiology would normally classify it as BIRAD 1, 2 or maybe 3.
A BIRAD 5 means that the lesion or lump is showing radiological signs of malignancy and therefore a cancer definitely needs to bo ruled out.
If the needle aspiration is inconclusive in such cases a biopsy is usually the next step.
What is important is that you discuss this with your doctor in detail - i suggest you also consult a breast specialist who would be the best judge of whether a sugical excision biopsy is required or your wife could wait for a review of the lump in some time.
What is being suggested is a biopsy not mastectomy, your wife will not lose her breast and a confirmed diagnosis would be available.
Do let us know if you have any more doubts.
Hope this helps.
Good luck.
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