Persistent Mastitis Lump Not helped by Antibiotics

[Monica12]

My sister was diagnosed with mastitis, had her first child in Aug 2006, breast fed for 4wks.  Early June she went to her OBGY for her yearly checkup and had no issues.  Early August she detected a lump on her right breast.  Then a few days later there were more symptoms, her whole right breast got hard, discomfort and pain.  She went to the doctors and they were unsure and advise her to get all sorts of screening - x-rays, mammograms, and biopsy.  Results of the biopsy and they found no cancer.  Pain persisted follow by fevers.  The doctors gave her antibiotics, however she had a bad reaction to the medicine.  She was admitted to the hospital for 3 weeks.  During her stay in the hospital, the doctors detected ¼ of her breast liquefy.  Doctors then performed two incisions and they were able to drain the puss out.  

Question - Has anyone seen this before?  She has seen several doctors and no one is really sure.  Internal medicine, Infection Disease, Breast Center, and Oncology/Hematology.  All doctors she have seen are stumped.  She has taken all sort of medicine and she still has a lump.  What other doctors should she see?

[lizziecee]

Sorry to hear of your sister's problems. What kind of biopsy did she have? Core, stereotatic? Inflammatory breast cancer can present with or without a lump. She may wish to ask for a punch skin biopsy to rule out ibc.

Liz.

[Monica12]

Thank you.  I will advise her that.  

[Monica12]

As for your questions, I'm not sure.  I'll have to ask her.  Once I have more details I will post.  Thanks again for responding.