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Category:

Breast Abnormalities and Other Symptoms

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Question:  #4171 2/24/2006		Q:	Hello, I'm 46 years old and I had 3 cyst aspirated last may and were begign. I had my regular mamogram and was told that I have califications but everything looked fine. They reported no changes in the last 5 years. They do suggest another mamo in 6 months. What are califications and is weight part of the problem. How you rid of them? also My mother passed away from breast cancer. thank you for your help
		A:	calcifications are calcium--- tiny dots on the mammogram. most of the time these dots are benign. those clustered together and new are more concerning. no way to make them go away... nothing you did to get them there in the first place.
Question:  #4172 2/24/2006		Q:	I had a mammogram and was called back for a follow up mammogram and ultrasound because of left breast asymmetry & balance. The Nurse said there were no tumors, lumps or cysts noted. I was diagnosed with multicystic benign mesothelioma of the peritineum in 2000 and as long as the tumors are caught in time and removed surgically they have not become cancerous. The Nurse said the focal asymmetry was nothing to worry about and I could wait a month to come back for the follow up. What do you think?
		A:	no way to comment without seeing what they are talking about really..
Question:  #4173 2/24/2006		Q:	I am scheduled for a right mastectomy on March 6. Microcalcifications in my right breast prompted a stereotactic core needle biopsy and a diagnosis of mucinous carcinoma. After MR, magnified mamogram, and ultrasound, a core needle biopsy was done on my left breast and a diagnosis of sclerosing adenosis was made. How often is sclerosing adenosis misdiagnosed as mucinous carcinom from samples obtained through core needle biopsy, and vise versa?
		A:	don't know... no stats on this. the key is having a pathologist who is expert at reading breast pathology and a talented doctor who did your biopsy.
Question:  #4174 2/24/2006		Q:	I am 24years old. I have had painful breasts for quite sometime and did a check up. Got breast scan done, and what was found was said to be a fibroedenoma and a needle aspiration test also suggests. The fibroedenoma is about 1 cm in the left breast 1 o'clock position. Is this a cause for concern, do i have to get it removed?
		A:	not a cause of concern. no. and very small. this is a benign mass. not unusual.
Question:  #4175 2/24/2006		Q:	I had a cyst drained that a radiologist said was a simple water filled cyst - It was aspirated and was dark brown and bloody. The surgeon said that he felt it suggested some malignant cells but proceeded to put the contents down the drain - should I be concerned about that? I am also scheduled for a excisional biopsy because of a large mass and a large area of micro and macrocalcifications - should I be concerned about something that may have been missed from the cyst?
		A:	hhmmm. don't know where you are but you are welcome to come here for evaluation. 443-287-2778. not sure why the specimen was discarded.
Question:  #4176 2/24/2006		Q:	I am 38 years old and went for a baseline mammogram. I was called back because of calcification in my left breast. After the magnified views the radiologist said that they were grouped coarse calcifications six of them. The report stated that these calcifications were typically benign and a 6 month follow-up recomended. Is that standard protocol with these findings? What are the statistics for typically benign changing to cancer? If these calcifications are cancer could it spread within six months?
		A:	what you were told is pretty standard... if still worried then you would need to take your films to another radiologist for a second opinion reading. calcs change slowly over time if there is a concern. so 6 months is the usual reassessment time frame. the key is the accuracy and expertise of the radiologist reading this film.
Question:  #4177 2/24/2006		Q:	The Pathologist could not conduct the HER2neu test on my breast tissues because of too little cancer cells - T1. Is this true? He said that if I still want to do, it would be very costly and might give a false positive result. What do you say?
		A:	it would be unusual that there isn't enough tissue. you can check wth having the pathology tissue and block sent perhaps to another large institution to see if they can do it. your oncologist needs to determine how important the test is or isn't for your situation.
Question:  #4178 2/24/2006		Q:	51, no ca hx, nulliparous. Menopausal. Itchy L nipple past 3 days. Negative for pain, discharge, inversion, no other symptoms, but now a large red area on breast spreading across; not seen yesterday. Doesn't seem like the skin of an orange to me, but does seem hard in places. I read about IBC on net, obviously. Now pretty scared. What are chances this is IBC versus some sort of dermatitis?
		A:	don't know without seeing it. so time to get seen. call your doctor and request an appointment soon.
Question:  #4179 2/24/2006		Q:	I'm 16 years old, almost 17 in a few months, and I wouldn't even call what I have breasts. They're like two small bumps, it's literally THAT bad. I got my period at age 12, and have gone through all the other stages of puberty except for breast growth. I want to know what kind of doctor to go to with this problem (my guess is a gynecologist, but I'm not sure) and what will solve it.
		A:	you are correct. gynecologist. so ask your mom to make you an appointment.
Question:  #4180 2/24/2006		Q:	I am 57 years old and have the pleomorphic variant of invasive lobular cancer. I had neoadjuvant chemotherapy, very good response but not a complete response. I am now taking Femara. Before my mastectomy in December '05 I was told my cancer was diffuse and multifocal. Two different surgeons examined me and both said they felt the nodules were connected and that the conglomerate was >5cm even though the MRI indicated separate nodules indicating a T3 tumor. However, my oncologist feels that it was about a 2 cm tumor for the purposes of systemic risk evaluation. According to the MRI the largest nodule was 2.1 cm and another was about 1 cm, with many other much smaller nodules throughout the breast. I had micrometastatic deposits <.2mm in 2 nodes and one of 1 mm in one node found during the sentinel node biopsy. Estrogen positive, progesterone negative, Her2 negative, diploid, s-phase <.5%. Tubular Formation 3, nuclear grade 2 to 3, mitotic rate 1. My question is, how can I get accurate prognostic data on the pleomorphic variant as it relates to my case? Is this cancer comparable to a grade 3 ductal, or is it more aggressive than that? Is the pleomorphism the biggest determining factor in recurrence or is something else like tumor size, nodes, etc.? I need to know more specific information about the pleomorphic variant of lobular cancer, please.
		A:	factors for recurrence are nodal involvement, hormone receptor neg, her2neu positive, and being young. we worry about this group the most. it is hard to accurately measure lobular cancers because of how they grow. they don't grow like a circle that gets bigger. they grow like a star burst.and when you add neoadjuvant chemo to it, it makes it a little harder to decipher further because the cancer cells may not have uniformly died .. so what was a large tumor to start may now look like a bunch of small tumors scattered.
Question:  #4181 2/24/2006		Q:	Earlier this week I had a lumpectomy.According to the core biopsy the lump looked like it was a fibroadenoma.Yesterday I got the results from my lumpectomy it was shown to be a phyllodes tumour.According to the report it says that the majority features show it is consistent with a benign tumour but it does say one more worrisome chatacteristic is the lack of circumion of the tumour.What does this mean?Should I be concerned about this observation.The report also mentions there is mitotic activity of the stroma, up to 4 mitoses per 10hpf.Is this classed as borderline?I have read there is benign, borderline & malignant forms of phyllodes tumours.The end of the report says immunohistochemical staining will be performed to further assess the malignant potential of the the lesion.I am having surgery again this coming Monday to have more breast tissue removed.
		A:	this would imply that its possible not all of the tumor was removed. meet with your surgeon to discuss. its important it is all out to prevent it from regenerating and growing again.
Question:  #4182 2/24/2006		Q:	What is the difference between a ductal lavage and a ductogram? When is a ductogram used and what is the difference between the results of each?
		A:	ductogram involves injecting dye into the duct of the breast and taking images of it in mammography to see the cause of nipple discharge usually. ductal lavage is research involving inserting a catheter into the duct and washing out the duct with saline solution. the fluid that is lavaged out is looked at under the microscope to see if there are abnormal cells in it-- a research study to determine if this is a potential way to detect precancerous findings before it becomes cancer.
Question:  #4183 2/24/2006		Q:	I am 28 year old guy, and just recently my right nipple began to hurt. I squeezed it and some white puss came out, almost like popping a zit. I am a little concerned wha would cause this any info would be greatly appreciated.
		A:	men can get infections in the breast ducts too. see your family doctor about this.
Question:  #4184 2/24/2006		Q:	I have a 17 y/o daughter who is in good health. She discovered a 2cm firm very tender mass in the RUQ of her right breast. We waited until she had her menses and the mass didn't change so we sought help from her physican. The physician thought it might be an infected lymph node and put her on empiric ATB's, after 8 days of the ATB's the only thing that happened was the mass grew larger. She also began to experience some shoddy lymphadenopathy, weight loss and idiopathic low grade fevers. We were sent to a pediatric surgeon who palpated the mass and told us there was nothing to worry about but he preferred we see a surgeon who saw adults. This surgeon did an ultrasound and said he saw only granular tissue (normal of course) and to come back in one month for a recheck. This continued on for some time I ended up making an appointment at a tertiary care center with a breast specialist. She had an open biopsy performed which revealed a mammary hamartoma 2.7 x 2.3 x 1.4 cm. I understand that hamartoma's are benign but I do wonder what is the likelihood that a hamartoma may recur, and how unusual is this diagnosis in a 17 y/o female, also was the weight loss, fevers and lymphadenopathy all related to the hamartoma? I am a nurse and have never heard of this type of benign tumor, and what surprises me even more after all the physicians we've seen and all the testing she went through this diagnosis never occured to either of the surgeons, is this diagnosis really that rare? Finally other then SBE's is any follow up necessary? Thank you for your time.
		A:	the other symptoms she had would not be related to the breast biopsy findings. yes, unusual for someone this age to have this. sounds like she needs a work up by an internal medicine doctor.
Question:  #4185 2/24/2006		Q:	Hi. Two years ago I was diagnosed with breast cancer, stage2, one node positive, had a lumpectomy. Went through 8 rounds of chemo (adrimycin/taxol) then had 35 times of radiation. Just recently, I found a lump in just about the same place. I went to my oncologist and then had a mammo and ultrasound. The doctor at this breast center where I had it done felt the lump herself, but the lump did not show up on either the mammo or the ultrasound. They seem to think that it was scar tissue, but were not really sure what it was. The thing that worries me is that the same thing happened with the first lump. It didn't show up as anything on mammograms for YEARS, then, when it did, it was cancer. Should I see my surgeon, and have it removed just in case? Thank you.
		A:	inquire if it would be helpful as a first step to biopsy it. better to know what it is before surgically messing with it really.
Question:  #4186 2/24/2006		Q:	I am 15 years old and in the past 3 months, my right breast has increased in size more than my left. I wear a D size cup, but my left breast is only a b size. I don't have any pain, and don't feel any lumps. What kind of doctor should I see?
		A:	a gynecologist. it might just be that your breasts are growing at a different rate for a little while. but your mom's gyn doctor can help decipher this.
Question:  #4187 2/24/2006		Q:	I had breast augmentation in 1987. I now have a real tender spot right behind by right breast that hurts when I press on my back. Could this possibly be silicone that has seaped out? I have had this for quite some time.
		A:	hhmm. not sure but the length of time the implants have been in exceeds their usual longevity. so time to see your doctor and get breast imaging done to see if it has ruptured.
Question:  #4188 2/24/2006		Q:	had a lumpdectomy 10 years ago-have always got a allright mammygram-this last one ,they called me -said it wasn't what it should be -a question-so i now have appointment with surgeon--had radiation an tomonafin-also-seems they are in guestion about same are- oncologist says it lookes like scar tissue -had a surgean look at it--very upset about this -thinking it has eracured-does it spind good for me or bad--:?
		A:	too soon to know. you need to get more information. they may opt to do a core biopsy that way confirming what it is-- scar tissue or a new breast cancer.
Question:  #4189 2/23/2006		Q:	I wrote before but perhaps did not phrase my questions clearly.... I am 37 yrs old and my gyno is sending me for a diagnostic mammogram & ultrasound because she found a "dense area" in one breast. I felt it myself and it is a firm (but not HARD) ridge starting near the bottom of the breast and moving up towards the middle of the breastbone - basically a crescent-shaped mass outlining part of the breast. It has NEVER hurt and I am pretty sure it is not cyclical. However, I do remember having felt this before, and I am pretty certain I have had it for many years. What on earth could it be? My main question is - just because a breast mass is NOT painful and NOT cyclical, can it still be benign? I have never had surgery or any other trauma so it cannot be fat necrosis.
		A:	yes, it can still be benign and the odds are in your favor that it probably is. fibroadenomas being one of those benign findings.
Question:  #4190 2/23/2006		Q:	I am a 40 year old woman and just recently, after a breast exam from my OBGYN my breast became achy. I had a mamogram for the 1st time, got called back for a 2nd time because it was different than the other breast (this was my 1st mamogram ever) .. the 2nd mamogram on my left breast (the one that is sore) showed normal after about 6 more x-rays. I still have a distant achy pain in my breast .. sometimes, I feel the pain in my right breast also. I have had a hysterectomy, but still have my ovaries so have not had to go thru any of the menopausal changes. I just want to know if it's normal for my breasts to ache a little bit. They are quite big, but are very dense...I have problems fitting them into bras and bathing suits as they are like jelly now.
		A:	breast pain can come and go with hormonal changes. breasts that are large and weighty can also be uncomfortable. sounds like you are describing very large breasts if you have trouble getting bras to fit them. some women opt to do breast reductions to lighten their load.
Question:  #4191 2/24/2006		Q:	I had a breast reduction Oct. 2004. The Pathology report showed fibrocytic changes in both breast. I had my first mammo 3 wks ago after the surgery. I had to go in for another surgery to remove two breast masses. The pre-operative diagnosis: Left breast masses x2. Post operative diagnosis : Same. Procedure preformed: pre-op needle placement, excisional biopsey left breast masses x2. Diagnosis: A. left breast mass, excisional biopsy: Fat necrosis with microcalcifications Moderate ductal hyperplasia Second page on pathology report says: Fibrocystic changes with aprocine metaplasia My question: Can this be a pre-cancerous condition?
		A:	these are not precancerous conditions.
Question:  #4192 2/24/2006		Q:	I am 46 y.o. and have had 2 mammograms, the first in 2000 and the latest in 2004. Both mammograms were extremely painful and the latest result showed Category II benign findings with extremely dense parenchyma bilaterally which significantly compromised the sensitivity to the examination, no discrete spiculated masses, no cluster calcifications, no adenopathy, any abnormalities should be further investigated with ultrasound. Is this something I should be worried about or is it merely sensitive breatst? Should I have an ultrasound for the current exam or another mammogram?
		A:	it in essence says that they can't tell if you have anything or not due to the density of the tissue. so they are recommending you be thorough and consider an ultrasound. you also need to get mammograms annually.
Question:  #4193 2/24/2006		Q:	Hi, I am 28 years old and two weeks ago felt a small lump on my left breast at 2:00 above my nipple. My doctor ordered an US that came back as a fibroid adenoma. He did not suggest that it be biopsied, however, and told me to come back in three months. At that time he may order another US to see if it has changed. He also said that he thinks I should begin getting mammograms yearly. Should I go ahead and wait the three months to go see him or push for a biopsy now? I do not want to waste time if is something more serious.
		A:	See a breast surgeon for a second opinion about this.
Question:  #4194 2/23/2006		Q:	In February 2005 I was diagnozed with a malignant Phyllodes tumor. I have not had a recurrence since - it has been one year. I wrote to you back then, #2, 4, & #5. On December 15, 2005 I finally convinced by oncologist to order a CT scan because of a cough that I had for almost 6 months. Here is what the results were: There is a 3.6 mm non-calcified nodule on my right lung along with a 4.5 mm, 2.9 mm and a 3.5 mm calcified nodules also on the right lung. The left lung is clear. The scan included the upper abdomen revealing calcifications within the spleen. There is an 8.5 mm low attenuation region anterior aspect left lobe of the liver. Too small to accurately characterize with attentuation numbes. Likely representing a cyst. There is evidence of remote granulmoatous disease in the right chest involving multiple nodules most of which are calcified and spleen again demonstrating calcified nodules. No obvious neo-plastic process at this time. What does this mean? What is the difference between calcified and non-calcified? Does this mean early mets? Calcifications in the spleen - what is this from? Cyst on the liver - more cancer? And what is remote granulomatous disease? I did not get much from my oncoligist other an I have nothing to worry about! Yeah right!! I have another CT scan scheduled for March 8th. I am worried sick about these results. Thank you.
		A:	cysts and granulomas aren't cancer. they will probably do additional imaging though to ensure that these areas are not trouble. they are extremely small too.
Question:  #4195 2/23/2006		Q:	I have a history of fibroadenomas and cysts. During my recent mammo, they found a complex cyst with one wall rather jagged. A week later I had an ultrasound guided aspiration/biopsy. The fluid came back negative for cancer, however, the radiologist is suggesting an excisional biopsy on the remainder of the tissue. Can complex cysts be malignant? In addition to my own issues with breast abnormalities, my mother was also dx'd with breast cancer at age 63. I am 56. I would appreciate your expertise on a scenario such as mine. Keep in mind, I'm ready to hear the worse.
		A:	The doctor might be being extra cautious since you have family history of a first degree relative being diagnosed. its good that the fluid didn't contain anything concerning. sometimes the debris inside of a complex cyst can be trouble. since it has an irregular edge and she may not have been able to sample that area specifically she might be wanting to make sure that it contains nothing of concern.
Question:  #4196 2/23/2006		Q:	Hi, I was diagnosed with infiltrating ductal carcinoma 1.4cm with ductal carcinoma in situ, schlerosing adenosis, apocrine metaplasia and cysts in the left breast. One sentinel node was positive at .55 cm. I have had a lumpectomy, but one margin is still involved due to precancerous cells. I have twice scheduled surgery only to cancel due to a low grade fever (100). after a strep test, cbc, mono test, all are negative. I am waiting for a urine test but I have no clear symptoms of a urinary infection. My concern is that I have degeneration in my neck that was picked up on a bone scan and confirmed as simply degenerative and not cancerous with a comparison to a neck x-ray. If my fever doesn't go away, a pet scan of my neck is the next step. how likely could this have spread? my surgeon said it is unlikely, but it could present itself as a low grade fever.
		A:	if you are imagining that due to not having the re-excision yet it has spread, don't.... it doesn't work that way. not that kind of speed at all. plus what you said remains is not invasive disease. due to your node being positive they would be doing scans anyway for assessment and for baseline before planning your chemo. don't fret yet...
Question:  #4197 2/23/2006		Q:	My Diagnostic Mammogram of my Left Breast came back with the following: 1. Non-Speific cluster of calcifications central to upper outer left breast demonstrates minimal if any change compared with 10-23-02 mammogram 2. BIRADS category III - Probably benign. Recommend six month followup diagnostic mammogram left breast to assess for stability/interval change 3. Finding from this mammogram should deter biopsy of a clinically suspicious mass. Would you explain this further to me? Thank you so much,
		A:	they found a cluster of microcalcifications in the breast but when comparing them to films from 3.5 years ago they saw them at that time too and that they didn't look worrisome before or now. therefore they are not recommending biopsy at this time.
Question:  #4198 2/23/2006		Q:	Hello I am a 49 year old , with a mammogram result saying the breast show minimal scattered fribroglandular densities. Possible architectural distortion sen int he retroareolar left breast, new since 10/04 recommend spot compression and ultrasound few benign calcifications are noted. recommendation additional evaluation and ultrasound needed of the left breast. Now my question is is are the finding something wrong or should i not worry, my aunt and niece both died of breast cancer.
		A:	the new findings probably need to be investigated further. also make sure the radiologist is aware of your family history.
Question:  #4199 2/23/2006		Q:	Is it possible for the signs and symptoms of IBC to fluctuate in the early stages? I have changes (swelling, itching, pain, transient rash) in my right breast and swelling of my right arm, with intermittent pain and hard lumps in my armpits. Because the extent of these is influenced by my cycle I keep on being told that it's just hormonal. But the discomfort is always there, has begun to increase mid cycle, and it's only ever on one side.
		A:	yes, sometimes. sounds like you need to be seen. pursue this.
Question:  #4200 2/23/2006		Q:	I had a ultrasound guided mammotome biopsy and this is the 1st pathology finding "Myxoid and epithelial lesion is unusual and does not clearly fit into the usual pattern of fibroadenoma 3 cm" 2nd opinion pathology finding "myxoid fibroadenoma" there is no mention of malignancy? can you please give your opinion??
		A:	doesn't tell much... the real question is, do they think more tissue sampling is needed to provide a confirmed diagnosis.