I feel a lump but it doesn't show in a mammogram

[bluz]

I'm 61 and I can feel a little thing like a tiny somewhat cylindrical shape, which slides around.  I can only feel it lying on my back, as it it running horizontal to the chest wall.  It is a little tender to probing.  I went to see my doctor and she didn't feel it (although I don't think she was very thorough with that).  She sent me for a mammogram, to be followed with a sonogram if it was inconclusive. According to the radiologist, it's clear, there was no need for the sonogram.

I'm still concerned, because I can still feel it and it's on one side only.  If they had told me they could see it and it looked benign by whatever criteria they use, I wouldn't worry, but since they found nothing, I'm left wondring what I'm feeling.

To me, it seems like what I see described as cysts online, but I also see that these are unlikely in a post-menopausal woman.  I have had an aunt who had post-menopausal breast cancer, but that's not that close.
I am also a very late menopause - I was still having off an on periods when I was 56-57.  I'm overweight.  Reading the high-risk factors, those are the only things I fit.

[kuriosity]

I've just been told that cysts are not common in my age group

Not really - I am over 60 and had lump under the crease of the breast
and it was definitely a benign cyst -
They do know the difference - most tumors are hard and immovable.

If you have had regular mammos - and no history of BC in
your family it is in your favor ---  
and it does sound like the drs. are not concerned

Why not get a 2nd opinion if it keeps you awake nights?

Blessings


  

[tresa47]

Hi Bluz..i am tresa47, coming over from the pain mgmt. forum ( i have rsd). I am a 13 year breast cancer survivor...initially i found my lump doing a self exam, went to my primary care. they did a mammogram, like yours it didn't show up. If it wasn't for them following up with an aspiritation, which was also negative, and then a biopsy- which came back positive (invasive lobular) I wouldn't be here today.  Please.Stick with your guns and keep after these dr's. I hope and pray that everything comes out all right for you..I'm going to join this community so please let me know how you make out....hugs and prayers to you...Tresa47

[katarina777]

I get what you are saying and I would feel the same way. A couple of weeks ago I saw my doctor for something totally unrelated but I felt this tight cord under my arm and I asked her to check it. She did, but like in your case she did not feel it. After she washed her hands, I found the thing agin myself and I placed my thumb right on top of it so I would not lose it, and then I asked the doctor to please give it another chance now that I was holding on to it. She di and she went like: "Oh, yes, I can feel it now. That really is a tight cord..."  Additionally, I was just reading some comments and responses to the questions and in one of them, Dr.(I forgot) explains that lobular DCIS, this type of more rare tumor, doesn't show up on either a mammogram and neither ultrasound and only MRI. So, what's the likelyhood you could have that? well, what's the likelihood that I would have Inflammatory bc, never mind bc in the first place? (IBC is only like 1-6% of breast cancers), and if I had that then you may just as well be the one to have something else. Your being a woman and in your early sixties and some family history makes you a prime candidate in this age and time, and so if I were you, i would also insist this gets followed up. And just because your doctor missed really makes it all more annoying and important.

[bluz]

Thanks, that does relieve me somewhat.  I've just been told that cysts are not common in my age group, and it disturbed me that they didn't see ANYTHING.  If someone had told me they saw what appeared to be a benign cyst, I'd have felt OK about it.  This not seeing anything indicated to me that it didn't see what I was feeling.

The ultrasound was only to have been done IF the mammogram showed something questionable, but it obviously didn't see the cyst or whatever it is that I am feeling.

I am going to keep pushing on this, because I want to know that they can see it - I'm thinking maybe it's because it's lying so close to the chest wall is why the mammogram didn't pick it up.

[rosebud62]

If I were you, I would insist on having an ultrasound, just to ease your mind.  Most fluid filled cyst are benign, and my doctor stated when you have these type that your chances really drop from having breast cancer, but like I said, I would have an untrasound done to be sure, and sometimes an mri is done as well.  

[japdip]

If the mammogram was OK; and that's a good thing and what you're feeling is a cyst then the ultrasound would no doubt have demonstrated that. I'm not sure if your Physician ordered both, why they both weren't done. You might discuss this with her at your next appointment. if you express enough concern about the lump that you're feeling I'm sure you'll be sent back to have that Ultrasound. Don't give up until you are satisfied and your mind is at ease about this.

[mamaboulet]

The cylindrical shape and the fact that you can move it both point toward benign. Typically, cancer lesions aren't movable and they tend to have irregular borders. I hope that eases your mind somewhat.