Need to worry?

[callierose]

I am 34 years old and recently found a persistent lump (2 months) I do  not have regular periods but the lump has persisted through one full cycle.  I had it checked by my family GP, who could also feel the lump.  It is longer than taller, and on mammo it was identified as a lobulated mass in the inferolateral right breast. On ultrasound it is 1.7cm x 0.7 cm, solid, relatively well defined with lobulated margins.  Initially identified as a fibroadenoma.  However I got a call back to return for an u/s guided biopsy. I have a family history of breast cancer (mother had inflammatory.  I know it's difficult to predict the outcome but does anyone have a feeling of whether this is simply a fibroadenoma or if I should be concerned.  Obviously I am very scared.  Thanks for any help you can provide.

[dlou]

i have been experiencing an achey pain in the left breast beginning in the armpit and extending to the nipple. the best i can describe the paing is that it is very similiar to letdown when nursing. i saw my internist and the exam revealed inflamed breast tissue on manual exam. i was told to wait for 2 weeks and if the symptoms continued to return for a possible mamogram. also to cut out caffeine. i am only 31 years old given birth 3 time and nursed all three children. this is a little unnerving.should i be worried about ibc? i was also told to take ibuprofen for the discomfort. thank you for your time.dlou

[CCF-RN,MSN-JS]

Dear callierose, It is impossible to say for sure what this lump is without a biopsy evaluation.  There can be more or less suspicious findings, however, the biopsy would be needed to confirm.  

[callierose]

Surgeon,  Are you a surgeon or is that your nickname?

[surgeon]

What you describe sounds a lot like a fibroadenoma, and not like cancer. Having a biopsy to be sure is the right thing to do, however. Since it's feelable, it really doesn't need to be done with ultrasound guidance, but the important thing is that it be biopsied one way or another. It sounds like you'll be getting good news.

[mzdragonfly]

Hello
After experiencing sharp pains in my left breast and shoulder for the past few months, I finally went to the doctor this past Wednesday. After being examined, she told me that there was a lump in my breast. I told her that I had read where pain in the breast associated with a lump is usually a benign cyst. However, she said not to count on that. She went further to tell me of mastectomies, lumpectomies, and radiation therapy. Also, I was informed about specialists in Duke. She scheduled me for a mammogram for the following day. However, I could not have it done that day and now I have to wait until Thursday, the following week. I am scared. Should she have handled this in a different way, or is this customary for a patient with a lump in her breast to be told all the negative aspects upfront before anything has been identified?
PS Since the examination, I remembered about a test that came back a couple years ago. I had a high Alkaline Phosphate level. Should I tell her about this?

[surgeon]

I am a general surgeon, who began practice over 25 years ago, and who has cared for thousands of women with breast problems.