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Question:
#4771
1/29/2006
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Q: |
I have had an extremely itchy right breast (most intense around the nipple area) for about four months. About a month into it I noticed a crusty yellowish discharge on my bra. The nipple area continued to get redder and started peeling, so I saw my doctor.She perscribed an antibiotic and referred me to a general surgeon. The antibiotic did not work. When I saw the surgeon, she prescribed a different antibiotic which immediately began to work the next day(I was on them for a week). The skin began to heal and there was no more discharge. The surgeon also ordered a bilateral mammogram and a unilateral (right) ultrasound of the nipple and subareolar area. Both were normal. My problem is that my right breast has never quit itching even though it had stopped oozing and peeling for a while. I was told it was probably just dry skin that became infected when I scratched it. However, tonight I noticed the yellow discharge and peeling for the first time since beginning the anitbiotics (about a month ago). I have made it a point not to scratch the area out of fear of this very thing happening again. I am 27 years old and have never been pregnant. Any ideas on what this could be? |
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time to see a surgical oncologist in a comprehensive breast center. if you want to come our way just call 443-287-2778. |
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Question:
#4772
1/29/2006
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what if i'm pregnant i believe i have breast cancer will the cancer harm my womb?
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no it won't. but treatment may need to be done differently since some treatments would harm the baby. |
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Question:
#4773
1/29/2006
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I continue to get a sharp pain off and on to the left of my left breast, have any idea what this could be? |
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don't know nor will anyone without examining you so call your doctor. |
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Question:
#4774
1/29/2006
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Double mastectomy, 4 rounds of A/c, lost all my hair, now taking 12 treatments of taxotere, my hair started to come back, now after 6 treatments of taxotere I am again losing the tiny stubble of hair that I have, is this the normal run of taxotere or possibly a vitamin deficiency.
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A: |
some others have reported the same. hang in there. |
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Question:
#4775
1/29/2006
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I have a large hematoma following a lumpectomy one and a half years ago. It is hard and painful----------the
radialogist says not to worry--------I go for a mamm and ultrasound this week and I am worried----------is there
anyone else out there that has this condition?
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A: |
18 months is a long time for it not to finally absorb. sometimes they are surgically removed. |
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Question:
#4776
1/29/2006
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I took a shower today and looked down at my nipples. My nipples both had purple rings around them. Only the nipple and not the center of the nipple was purple. I'm just now ending my period and I'm currently on the pill. Why is there a color change? Is it harmless? |
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don't know without seeing it. so if still there tomorrow call your doctor for evaluation. |
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Question:
#4777
1/29/2006
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Q: |
I had eczema type lesions on one breast for about four months last summer; worried about Paget's Disease, I went for help and had a negative sonogram and negative mammogram in August. The sores have cleared up in the meantime on their own (that's great, because I know that Paget's lesions persist) but I still have that itchy, pulling kind of sensation. I was happy to ignore it and just wait for anoter routine mammogram next summer but, this may sound really silly, I have had bone pain (right superior/lateral, not joint) for about four weeks, Now I know it could be a pulled muscle or something but it doesn't really fell like that. I am 53; sister had breast cancer. Also, when I went to the doctor I told her that my right clavicle had been hurting (I had chalked that up as a knitting injury; my left breast also has a large array of superficial veins that are not visible present on the right (but I know that that can be normal but this is something that seemed to develop last summer).
I don't want to be too reactive about this but I don't want to get bad news when it is too late to do anything. |
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time to see your doctor and get all of this checked out. better safe than sorry. |
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Question:
#4778
1/29/2006
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Q: |
I have had a breast lump for over 3 years. In those three years no one could feel it but me and my husband. Then last year my Gyno could feel it and my General practitioner could now feel it.
I have two maternal aunts with breast cancer (50ish and 60ish and one maternal cousin(40ish) (surviving thank God). My mom,two sisters and another aunt had benign breast lumps removed. My mom had a suspicious lump that disappeared.
I have also had three women that I work with had breast cancer in their forties which was a telemetry unit.
I have had two visits to the breast surgeon. On the last visit he stated that he wanted to do a excisional breast biopsy. I'm thinking if I have had this lump so long it probably nothing so why have a biopsy. Mamo's and ultra sounds are negative.
I am 42 and I have very lumpy breast. It's just that this lump which is left breat inner at 9'oclock seems to be different harder and fixed but it is painful so the myth is that if it's painful there is nothing wrong right?
Can a person have a breast lump a long time and it be cancerous? |
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don't assume pain mean no cancer. do the right thing. get this checked more closely, especially given family history. |
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Question:
#4779
1/29/2006
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what chances that my calcifications are benign instead of malignant..they came over a nien month period of time ..mild suspicion only on report..have biosy Wed |
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20% risk of malignancy. |
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Question:
#4780
1/29/2006
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Q: |
I am 63,postmenapausal.Tumor was 2.9cm by MRI.Fine needle biopsy in enlarged lymph node revealed positive cells. Also had core biopsy, required by Abraxane clinical trial. Had neoadjuvant chemo:first Abraxane( weekly for 9 weeks. Then FEC. Have one more FEC (total of 4, once ev.3 wks.) to go .Lymph nodes disappeared in around 3 abraxane treatments. Tumor (ER positive, Her2 neg, intermediate grade, DCIS with some tubular invasive features) showed 1.3cm by ultrasound after 9 wks of Abraxane. What would be the value of SNB or Ax.node dissection after chemo? I cannot find any literature indicating that either would increase survival time. Research from Duke Univ. says the value is diagnostic & prognostic & questions therapeutic AND. Is radiation indicated? How do you feel about Femara? Thank you so much for having this website. |
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there is a clinical trial that randomizes women to have axillary node dissection vs not, post neoadjuvant chemo. you are right that the nodal removal is diagnostic. it would show if chemo worked. it also may predict how much radiation is needed. |
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Question:
#4781
1/29/2006
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Q: |
I was given a shot to dry up my milk in 1994. I noticed a knot under my arm where the shot was given and it has been there ever since. I have had test run thru the years but It keeps coming up negative. The doctor said it was a cyst not to worry, I have found out they have stop giving the shot because the bad outweighted the good according to my doctor. I constantly have soreness in my arm and breast and now their is a burning sensation also. Should I be concerned and have you had anybody else with this problem? |
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haven't had others mention this in relationship to getting a shot. ask the radiologist who does your mammograms if an ultrasound can determine what this is. |
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Question:
#4782
1/29/2006
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Q: |
I think I might have eczema/psoriasis or some other topical issue with my nipple, but in reasearching what to do about it I came across Paget's Disease of the Nipple. I have never heard in my 39 years that dryness, itching and/or minor clear discharge from the nipple could be a sign of cancer until I began my research. So now I am freaking out. I have had this dryness/itching/sometimes leaking issue with my breast off and on for a couple of years now, but always thought it was just chapped. I treated it with vaseline or neosporin and it would go away after a week or so. I can't seem to find the answer to the question: If one has Paget's Disease of the Nipple, does it come and go w/ topical treatment or does it not respond to topical treatment. My nipple does respond to topical treatment. I have also used cortisone 1% otc med and it seems to stop the itching. The reason I am asking is I need to know how urgent it is to get to the doctor. My health insurance doesn't kick in until March 1 (32 days from now). The thought of having a "pre-existing" cancer and no way to pay for treatment scares me more than the thought of cancer itself. My thought process right now is that if it is Paget's then I've had it for a couple of years and another month isn't goint to make that big of a difference in the prognosis and treatment options. I know you will probably tell me to get to the doctor right away, but realistically, will a month make that much of a difference? |
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A: |
some topical creams that contain steroids can make it wax and wane. sounds like its time to see a breast specialist about this. if you want to come our way just call 443-287-2778. pagets disease is cancer of the nipple. usually noninvasive disease. |
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Question:
#4783
1/29/2006
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I am a 36 year old female. Both grandmothers died of breast cancer in their 40's. I have very large fibrous breasts so I never know what is normal and what isn't from a self exam. Had first mammogram right after 35th birthday which revealed calcifications. Had sonogram and was referred for a sterotactic core biopsy. Biopsy came back negative and I was releaved. Upon 6 month follow up they noted more calcifications and did another sonogram. They wanted to "keep an eye on it" and wanted me to come again in 3 more months. Just before that appointment I noticed a slight inversion of the nipple mainly after waking up in the morning. During the day it would "pull out" again. But every morning it is still inverted. I also noticed a puffiness and swelling just to the side of the nipple. There is no discharge though and no redness. Could it be late developing scar tissue from the core biopsy? At my 3 month follow up I told them this and they did another sonogram. They have told me that it appears to be stable and I don't need to worry. But I'm still worried! This doesn't seem normal to me. I feel like I have done everything I can do. Any suggestions?
Thank you so much for you site!!! Your advice is VERY helpful to those of us worrying! |
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could be scar tissue but usually not. pursue it as your instincts are telling you to. that may mean seeking a second opinion elsewhere. |
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Question:
#4784
1/29/2006
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Q: |
Is there a way to treat fibrograndular breast tissue, if it is causing pain? |
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A: |
avoid caffeine. |
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Question:
#4785
1/29/2006
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Q: |
Just had my annual mammogram. I am on HRT (estadiol patch and prometrium. Had a hysterectomy in August and afterwards my breasts got larger and painful. Anyway, mammogram showed a density that radiologist couldn't see thru. I got called back for additional views. Then she wanted an ultrasound. Ultrasound showed nothing, but she said to be on safe side she wanted to do needle biopsy. I am concerned because my family has ovarian, colon and breast cancer. What do you think? I am waiting for results of biopsy and am concerned and apprehensive. |
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don't know without seeing this... but if you have family history as described discuss more with your gyn about the appropriateness of taking HRT right now. |
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Question:
#4786
1/29/2006
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Q: |
After a lumpectomy followed by chemo and radiation, the follow up mammogram shows "spiculated density within the region of the lumpectomy bed, similar to the presumably excised lesion".
Is this suggestive of recurrence of the cancer or could it be from scar tissue following the lumpectomy? Would the preferred route be another stereotactic biopsy, MRI or both? |
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"spiculated" is not a good word to see and implies recurrence possibly. core/stereotactic biopsy would be next step. |
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Question:
#4787
1/29/2006
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Q: |
Are new microcalifications always cancer or do they grow with age, etc. Im confused on this issue, what are they actually..its only in the right breast |
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new ones always need to be investigated. most end up being calcium. |
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Question:
#4788
1/29/2006
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Q: |
About 1 1/2 years ago I had a prophylactic bilatateral mastectomy and oopherectomy as a result of testing positive for the BRCA1 gene mutation. My sister has breast cancer, and is positive for the gene. My mother passed from breast cancer. I am now having post menopausal bleeding without having taken any hormone replacements. I understand the causes could be polyps or cancer. What are the odds, causes, etc? Please explain. Thanks so much. |
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don't know the odds on this... worrisome though.uterine cancer is not linked with these genes. |
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Question:
#4789
1/29/2006
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Q: |
I am to go for biopsy on category 4a small calcifications that showed up nine months after last exam..theyhad mild suspicion.How much of a chance of being benign is this..can these calcs come up that fast, and what are they
and they were different sizes although was told probably benign..Please explain to me..I get scared over this |
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20% risk of cancer in general. the radiologist can tell you how suspicious these calcs look based on his assessment of them though. so ask. |
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Question:
#4790
1/29/2006
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Q: |
Hello, I am a 21 year old female. I have been lifting weights recently. One day my chest muscles were sore from bench pressing and I was rubbing them. I noticed I had a tender lump about the size of a nickle in my left breast right along my chest muscle. My axillary lymph nodes are also larger than normal and tender. I have heard that sometimes you can get normal lumps in your breast right before your period. Is this what it could be? Or could weight lifting cause this? I want to go to the doctor but should I wait until after my period? Any advice on what it could be. I have no history of breast cancer in my family. |
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could be from menstruation or from lifting weights. if it persists see your doctor about it. |
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Question:
#4791
1/29/2006
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Q: |
My pathology report says "the patient had 1 lymph node that stained blue in the right axilla, which was stained blue, and had a 1-second count of 127. What exactly does this mean. My surgeon did a Sentinal Node Biopsy. My surgeon is very hard to reach and so I hope you can answer this question. |
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its a deion for how the sentinel node was identified. |
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Question:
#4792
1/29/2006
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Q: |
I had a fibroadenoma. The other part of my report says mild fibrosis and adenosis. What is fibrosis and adenosis? |
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benign findings. congrats. |
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Question:
#4793
1/29/2006
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Q: |
for the past 3 days I have had this pain that starts in my breast and radiates sharply down to the nipple,It really hurts and it comes and goes off and on all day long,I had a mammograghm 1 month ago and all was fine...have any ideas?
Thanks from NY |
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don't know without seeing you. so call your gyn and get evaluated. |
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Question:
#4794
1/29/2006
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Q: |
I had a mammogram on Monday- (45 years old- one every year since 39)They called me today and said I needed to come back for another as the 'density' in my left breast had changed.They told me this time they would 'flatten' me out and then if needed I would have an ultrasound. Could someone tell me what this mean? |
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they saw an area of whiteness on the mammogram that looked whiter than before and appeared to be new since your last imaging was done. they will do a compression film over that specific area to enlarge it and flatten the breast tissue out to make it easier to see what it is. |
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Question:
#4795
1/29/2006
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Q: |
My mom just had a mammogram. she is 58 years of age, no family hx of breast CA. Some of the report states Disfusly Nodular Parenchymal pattern and heterogeneously. I am aware that means "very dense" tissue. Breast US scheduled for next week. She is diabetic. Should I be worried. I am. Please advise. |
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no, no need to worry yet. nothing alarming found yet. |
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Question:
#4796
1/29/2006
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Q: |
I'm 38 years old and I've been diagnosed with a fibrocystic situation and dense breasts. I never had any problem until about two years ago, when I gave birth. Ever since, my breasts, especially my left one, are extremely tender ahead of my menstration, causing great pain at times. My condition is remarkably similar to the period I was breastfeeding, when my breasts would gorge like rocks before the letdown. Can my fibrocystic situation be the result of my sudden halt in breastfeeding two months after giving birth? And most importantly, what is best to do. Will surgery diminishes any chances of this situation turning malignant? Or will it just help it ease the unbearable pain at times?
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this doesn't increase your risk of getting breast cancer. your body has been through many changes, hormonally, so this can happen. you may want to be further evaluated in a breast center. |
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Question:
#4797
1/29/2006
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Q: |
Hi, I am an 18 year old male with a supernumerary nipple. I know this is normal but on my left nipple it looks like I have 2 nipples on one. I have tried to find out if this is common but am yet to find any information. One source I read said I could use a wart remover cream of some sort to get rid of it but I'm not sure if that is safe or not. What kind of doctor would be able to fix something like this, like a dermatologist or a plastic surgeon? |
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A: |
don't use wart remover! see a plastic surgeon. you are welcome to come our way. just call 443-287-2778. you are not alone. |
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Question:
#4798
1/29/2006
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Q: |
I am 40 and have a breast cyst that has been aspired three times now and keeps coming back. The fluid has been bloody but was OK but then came back with atypical cells. I had an appointment with a surgeon and am scheduled for a biopsy. He didn't seem concerned about the atypical cells but was concerned about how the fluid looked (bloody). What are the chances that this isn't breast cancer? |
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atypical cells are a concern. 20-30% of the time on open excisional biopsy cancer will be found. if you want to come to us you would be in the hands of a surgical oncologist who specializes in breast cancer. 443-287-2778. |
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Question:
#4799
1/29/2006
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Q: |
An ultrasound revealed a suspicious 7mm lump in Dec just a few weeks into my radiation therapy. I did neoadj AC/T last year (2cm multifocal), continuing w/herceptin, then bilat mast w/ implant reconstruction in Oct, which still resulted in positive margins. Rad therapy planned anyway, so added low dose of Xeloda to possibly enhance effect of rads due to pos margins.
Now we have this new lump that may or may not be something, and my surgeon and plast surgeon now want to wait at least 4 more weeks (it will be at least 6 wks from last day of rads) to do excis biopsy to see what it is. It's agreed that a core biopsy or FNA is not a good idea due to implant (it may be involved with capsule of implant). I planned with my med onc to increase dose of Xeloda after rads (almost 3 of 6 cycles done during rads), but delaying the biopsy likely will prevent increasing the dose. We also plan to do a boost dose of rads to the area if it is cancer, but I don't know how effective that will be when pushed out a couple months from last rad therapy.
Initially docs felt it urgent to get it out (and so did I, as I get my cues from them). Now, based on plast surgeons exper w/ radiated skin complications, we're pushing it out an awfully long time. I don't give one iota about the implants at this point and my docs know I am willing to just remove implant. Any advice at all would be appreciated. |
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consider a second opinion and you are welcome to come to us for that. 443-287-2778. |
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Question:
#4800
1/29/2006
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Q: |
What is anasarca in the breast? |
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A: |
don't know. check the spelling. |
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