Comment from: halesmom, 45-54 Female (Patient)Published: August 19
I am a 53-year-old, recently menopausal woman, who was diagnosed with cellulitis of the right breast four weeks ago. I took antibiotics for 20 days and all signs of infection had disappeared six or seven days before I finished the medicine.
I was left with a hard lump, which does not move and does not hurt.
Both ultrasounds I have had do not suggest cancer, neither does the diagnostic mammogram. The mammo report says further testing is required; however, my doctor, a breast surgeon, has decided to wait another month because she says hard tissue can remain after an infection, and she thinks that is what this is.
Basically, that means if the lump is still there in another month, I will finally get a biopsy and should it show something, I will have wasted nine weeks of treatment time because my lump isn't usual.
To doctors who may read this: Don't torture your patients. If a lump is present without infection, or as in my case, if there is no reason for the infection, do a biopsy right away for the peace of mind it can bring. The Internet is full of stories of women who were assured from a mammogram and an ultrasound that they were fine.
Comment from: 45-54 Female (Patient)Published: February 16
I'm a 45 year old mother. I had a mammo done in late December of 2009. A lump was found on my right breast 1.5 cm. The breast ultrasound confirmed it required further attention. I was sent to get it biopsied. The biopsy did not hit a malignancy, however was undeterminable. It is recommended I have it removed. I am scheduled to meet and discuss the procedure with my breast surgeon on 2/17/2010. 2 months have passed since the Mammo, still not sure what I have, the pathology report called it an undetermined neoplasm -- the doctor who did the biopsy said it may be a phyllode tumor. Phyllode Tumors are considered a form of Breast Cancer even if benign. The process just takes too long to determine. It causes too much stress on me and my family. There should be a faster way to get results and things done.
Comment from: Kim D, 35-44 Female (Patient)Published: December 02
I just turned 40 this year and found a lump in my left breast. I scheduled my annual exam and was then scheduled a diagnostic mammogram (rather than just a screening mammogram). They performed an ultrasound at the same time. I was told that there was density and it was probably just a fibroadenoma but would need a biopsy to be sure. I had the biopsy and that was all that it was. But that time waiting is excruciating! Reading articles like on MedicineNet was helpful to try to prepare mentally for various outcomes.
Comment from: CTC, 35-44 Female (Patient)Published: October 07
I was recently diagnosed with a benign brain tumor that increased my prolactin hormone. I discovered that while on the medication that my breast had gotten sensitive and feels slightly abnormal on the inside. I have had physicals where my family doctor initiated a breast exam on a yearly basis. But I feel abnormalities such as a mass nearly the same size of my breast. I have not had a discharge but I still produce milk from my breast. When I ask my endocrinologist about the medication that I am taking maybe the milk is drying up and she does not know and told me to see an OB/GYN.
Comment from: suzieqqqqx, 45-54 Female (Patient)Published: March 03
I was diagnosed with breast cancer nine months after I was told I only had cysts. That hospital did not do a biopsy, only a mammogram and ultrasound. Nine months later I was referred by a different doctor to a different hospital that did lots of tests, a mammogram, an ultrasound, and a needle biopsy. I was told they found a total of seven tumors via the biopsy, and I would need to have my breast removed. I wonder if those seven tumors grew in the nine months that I was absent from that first hospital or if they were there previously but misdiagnosed as cysts.
Comment from: brownricegirl, 35-44 Female (Patient)Published: March 15
I turn 39 this year and have recently found a large lump in my right breast associated with mild pain. I have no family history and have had no reason to have a mammogram; until now. I had a diagnostic mammogram. I am scheduled for a consult for biopsy Monday, of which I just wish they would just perform a FNB the same day. Is that asking too much? Personally, I'm not stressed. I'm not worried about the outcome. I just want to prepare my family for the unknown. The time it takes to go from one doc to the other for just a consult is ridiculous.
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Suggested Reading on Breast Lumps (In Women) by Our Doctors
Cysts are saclike structures that can occur throughout the body and usually contain a semisolid, liquid, or gaseous substance. Infections, tumors, genetic conditions, chronic inflammatory conditions, and wear and tear can cause cysts. Though some cysts may be palpable, others may not produce any symptoms. Treatment depends upon the location and cause of the cyst.
Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women and the second most common cause of cancer death in women in the U.S. Symptoms include a lump in the breast or underarm area, nipple pain, change in breast size or shape, an inverted nipple, nipple discharge, and breast skin changes. Treatment may involve chemotherapy, radiation therapy, biological therapy, hormone therapy, or surgery.
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The breast generally refers to the chest, however, more specifically, to the mammary gland. The mammary gland is a milk producing gland comprised largely of fat. Within the mammary gland is a complex network of branching ducts. The ducts exit from sac-like structures called lobules, which can produce milk in females. The darkened area around the nipple is called the areola. Common medical concerns in regard to the breast include breast lumps, breast cysts, breast cancer, and breast infections.
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I am a 53-year-old, recently menopausal woman, who was diagnosed with cellulitis of the right breast four weeks ago. I took antibiotics for 20 days and all signs of infection had disappeared six or seven days before I finished the medicine. I was left with a hard lump, which does not move and does not hurt. Both ultrasounds I have had do not suggest cancer, neither does the diagnostic mammogram. The mammo report says further testing is required; however, my doctor, a breast surgeon, has decided to wait another month because she says hard tissue can remain after an infection, and she thinks that is what this is. Basically, that means if the lump is still there in another month, I will finally get a biopsy and should it show something, I will have wasted nine weeks of treatment time because my lump isn't usual. To doctors who may read this: Don't torture your patients. If a lump is present without infection, or as in my case, if there is no reason for the infection, do a biopsy right away for the peace of mind it can bring. The Internet is full of stories of women who were assured from a mammogram and an ultrasound that they were fine.
Related Reading: cellulitis | breast | cancer