what does a mass of nodules with indention mean?

[katiebubb]

last year I went to my old gynie concerning a lump I thought I felt. Its located in my left breast by my armpit. He said to me "You have very little breasts, if there was something there I would of felt it.". I thought ok maybe I was crazy. But as the year went on I could still felt something. If my arm rubbed, or if I leaned, or even when I was running. I knew something was there. So I decided this year to "fire" my old gynie and went to a new one. She started asking me a million questions and is sending me for blood work for possible thyroid issue, sonogram for fibroids (I knew I had but she wants to check them), and then a mammogram for my breast. 20 years with the old doc and nothing all these years and 5 minutes with a new doctor and she listened!

Anyways, when she checked the spot I told her about, she told the assistance in the office that was documenting things, that she felt a mass of nodules with indent. I go on tues for the mammogram and blood work, and wont get results of anythng until april 26th. I am a nervous wreck. I know most lumps are benign, but when she said indention.....that through up lots of oh craps in my head. I am 38 years old and have worked in health care a while, so maybe I am just over thinking. I know the last 2-3 there has been a throbbing burning pain. And when you couple that with the fact that I noticed it a year ago and old doc said there was nothing there..........I am worried that maybe I waited to long, maybe its this, maybe its that........ I tried looking up mass of nodules with indention, but all leads to breast cancer sites. I was just hoping for someone who might have a clue as to what she is talking about so I cant make it through til the end of the month without causing myself a nervous breakdown.

[japdip]

CONGRATULATIONS !!!! That's the kind of news we like to hear. Please remember though that just because this result was benign ALWAYS pursue anything you find that is new or different. Come back anytime you have questions or concerns ... we're always here :)

[katiebubb]

I just recieved a letter from the radiologist stating it was normal/benign.

Thank you once again for talking with me when I was so nervous! I apperciated it!

[japdip]

That's great news .... it is always best to wait for the final report which is of course the opinion of the Radiologist and that's the one that counts. I hope things continue to go well and it's all due to cysts.   Take care .......

[katiebubb]

I had mammogram today. They also did a sonogram because I felt a lump. The tech said after that it doesnt look like anything to be concerned about. It to me looked like a tiny little cyst. She had just done the sonogram of my ovaries before that and they were packed with cysts and it was same little image! Just have to wait on final offical results! But so far I think it is all good!  Thank you for talking with me!

[katiebubb]

Can I say, the fact that I dont see the indention but can only feel it makes me a little bit happier. I tried what you suggested and I still dont see it. I even tried in different rooms with different lights and sunlight. That IF it is cancer, that maybe its just starting and is less of a stage than if I see the indention. I have smaller breast's so I would figure I should be able to see it. Praying for cysts or fat or something! I did tell her I can feel the lump, then I cant, then I can again since the begining. But she felt it....which I was kinda glad too!

The blood work is for everything...she thinks I have PCOS, and a possible underlying Thyroid issue. Also a metabolic panel, and cholestrol and a few other things.  She also wants to check estrogen because I do have a uterus full of fibroids. She said high estrogen levels that produce fibroid can also produce female cancers so she wants to see what kind of treatments are needed. She was angry that my old gynie never ran any blood work on me ever! Especially presenting with fibroids. I do love this new gynie!  My sister has PCOS and fibrocystic breasts so I am thinking I am leaning genetic wise towards her. My mother has thyroid issues (thyroid cancer). So she wants all the blood work to make sure whats what with me. She asked alots of questions and said "lets get you tested for all of this." She did say that PCOS is almost a definite without testing the male hormones and cholestrol and all that.

I am just a little hormonaly messed up at the moment it seems.......I do thank you for talking with me. I am scared a bit and dont want to burden hubby with all this and worry him when he has his own worries at the moment!

[japdip]

You might also try bending over and doing the arms up and down to see if the indentation would become visible. That is due to something beneath the skin pulling the skin surface inward which can be from a harmless growth just as easily as something more serious. A biopsy and only a biopsy would answer that question to a 100% certainty of course. If / When you do see a specialist he/she would be more interested in the actual films rather than only the report. I'm not sure what type of blood work has been ordered but that would not indicate Cancer in any way. Please keep us posted when you get some results OR if you have any other concerns.   Take care ....

[katiebubb]

thank you for your reply!

The indention I cant see. But after she mentioned it I went home and checked. I can feel what she is talking about. It kinda sits underneath and in a muscle. But standing in front of a mirror raising arms and leaving them down and all that, I dont see an indent. Which I guess kinda worries me more.....ugggh!

I think I am just very angry more than panic'ed at this point because my old gynie ignored me! Then my sheer dumbness I ignored it in return thinking if he wasnt worried I shouldnt be.

Once I get the mammogram, I will check into a specialist. I can always get a copy and take with me instead of doing it twice. The new doctor has everything scheduled for me in one day. So tues, I do my blood work, sonogram and mammogram all in the morning. If it does turn out to be something serious, I think it would be better with a specialist anyway!

[japdip]

I think it's great that you have changed Gynecologists but I also think that you may need to see a Breast Specialist for the issues you have mentioned here. A mass of nodules could be a mass that resembles a bunch of grapes or there may just be a collection of nodules in one area. As far as the "indent" goes you should be able to see this when you do your breast self exam. It would appear just as it states ..... a small area of the breast that has an indentation in it as though someone poked a finger in something soft and the area didn't return to it's normal appearance. It's not unusual to panic or overthink things like this .... everyone does it and we women are quite good at worrying :) Everyone also says the waiting is the worst but we have all been there and somehow we managed to get through it; you will too. If I were you I would be thinking about a referral to a Breast Specialist after your Mammogram; it never hurts to get a second opinion from a Specialist whether this is something serious or not. By all means continue with yearly Mammograms and Ultrasounds to keep watch on any changes that may occur in the future. Regards ....