male with mass or lump under left nipple help

[jon671]

Hi guys,

   I am a 25 year old male. I am a smoker and I am overweight, however I quit smoking a month ago and I have been dieting and exercising since trying to get healthy for my kids. No family history of breast cancer. My father died of either liver cancer or colon cancer at 54. Didn't know him so don't know the specifics.  For the last six months I have had a sore lump under my left nipple. It used to only hurt when I touch it, but lately it kind of aches alittle sometimes without touching it. It worried me, but I never really did anything about it until a week ago. My doctor felt it and said it is probably some fat, but sent me to get an ultrasound. I did and the results are:

1.8 x 1.2 x 1.5cm hypoechoic mass with irregular and lobulated boarders

there are no calcifications or fluid components

there are no posterior acoustic shadowing or enhancments found

remaining breast parenchyma is normal later on in the report it calls the mass a solid

right breast checked to assess for gynecomastia minimal hypoechoic parenchyma found measuring .8 cm

When I got the ultrasound the mass was completely black and the radiologist said he couldn't tell if it was solid or fluid is this possible and if so what does it mean? How come it says something different on the report?
The doctor and the radiologist both told me it is probably an infection or some type of inflammatory thing, but because of certain suspicious characteristics they have to rule out a malignant neoplasm?  I am going to have a core needle biopsy. I have been going crazy looking all over the internet stressing out. I really feel sorry for women that they go through this. I'm hoping and praying that this is nothing for myself, my wife and my kids. I am looking for answers and feedback please help Thanks.

[jon671]

I got a second opinion. I saw one of the best surgeons who specializes in oncology in my area. He has alot of experience dealing with breast cancer. He looked at my ultrasound films and rescanned me. He said it is not cancer. He told me it is either an enlarged or inflamed breast bud or the beginning or gynecomastia. He told me the clinic I originally went to is known for doing things like scaring people into getting biopsies. He said it is how they make their money. I wasn't the first person they saw with the similar situation. I understand that it is better to be safe than sorry, but the radiologist at the first clinic i went to was an cold ***. I trust this doctor more he treated me like a person and really made an effort to make me understand everything. He ordered a blood test to check my hormones and another appointment in a month to view the results and rescan me with an ultrasound. He told me that he could remove it if I wanted. He said there is no need to do that for any reason other than comfort and he said that it is almost guarnteed that the pathology report would show it as benign. I am going to do the blood work ( hopefully good ) and then have him remove it for piece of mind. As of now I feel alot better I would say about 80% still catch myself thinking "what if?"

I would appreciate any feedback you have.


Thank you for your support.

[jon671]

Hey thanks for the answer. I hope your brother is doing okay. He was young and probably going through hormonal changes. I'm 25 is this still possible for me too?

Just a few other facts about me:

No other symptoms of breast cancer

Lump appeared suddenly and has not grown much since discovery 5 months ago

Lump felt smoother before I had been touching it alot I think I have OCD. Is it

possible to change the shape of the mass by touching and squeezing it alot?

You mention excising it. Do you think core needle biopsy is dangerous meaning if it is

cancer it might help spread it.

Given the description of the mass what else could it be? And is it a death sentence?

I read somewhere that after a suspicious ultrasound the chances of it not being

cancer are like 20%.

[PaulMD]

Hi there.

I understand your concern.  My brother had this same problem when he was less than 12 years old and we had it surgically removed.  It was just a minor operation and it turned out benign.  It has not recurred since then.

I agree with the core needle biopsy though eventually you might need to have this excised by a surgeon.  I also agree that the characteristics of the mass (irregular lobulated borders can be suspicious for a neoplasm).  I suggest you discuss this with your doctor (regarding excision).  I hope you and your doctors can get to the bottom of this soon

Regards and God bless