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Category:

Breast Abnormalities and Other Symptoms

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Question:  #5371 12/27/2005		Q:	What is fish test?
		A:	FISH test is considered the most accurate way to measure the Her2neu receptor.
Question:  #5372 12/27/2005		Q:	What is HUR2NU?
		A:	Her2neu a special receptor test done by the pathologist to measure a specific protein that may be over-expressed by the cancer cells.
Question:  #5373 12/27/2005		Q:	For a week I have had dull pains in my left breast and recently noticed a clear discharge from my beast(both) I am 41 years old with no health problems. please explain what causes this thanks.
		A:	sometimes hormonal changes. but sometimes something of more concern so to be safe call your gyn and get seen.
Question:  #5374 12/27/2005		Q:	I'm concerned about IBC. I have a 10mm, medium, brown rash that itches and looks like a scar--where it appears to sit into the skin rather than being raised. I also get what is similar to a bruise that has went yellow in the same area. The 'bruise' has been happening off and on for a few months. I had a negative mamogram about 6 months ago and saw 2 breast specialists and they both concurred that it was fibrocystic breast and didn't see any need for a u/s. The skin changes happened after my appointments. My next appointment is late next week. Thanks!
		A:	inflammatory breast cancer doesn't come and go. it comes, stays and progresses. not sure what you have. hopefully they will figure it out.
Question:  #5375 12/27/2005		Q:	My grandmother, age 83 has what appears to be inflammatory breast cancer. She has oversized right breast, 3 times the size of normal, red, brusing color, discharge, but no pain. She refuses to see a doctor. She has lost a considerable amount of weight, about 40 lbs., still in great health. What can we expect, and how long before she becomes sick?
		A:	tell her if she loves you she will go to the doctor and go ahead and make an appointment for her now. this is nothing to fool around with anymore. her doctor will do a biopsy and if inflammatory breast cancer will put her on medicines to see if it can be gotten into some degree of control. if she has had this for some time and now is losing weight without trying it may have spread. she needs to be properly assessed though. so take her.
Question:  #5376 12/27/2005		Q:	I recently saw a doctor for spontaneous nipple discharge. When I went in, she was able to get fluid on a slide. The doctor thought it was just hormonal. The results from that came back that everything looked okay, except there were red blood cells in the fluid. I have to go in for an ultrasound. Why, if everything looks okay, would they have to order an ultrasound and what would cause that?
		A:	hhmm. blood isn't a normal finding. so sounds like they are recommending additional diagnostic tests to help determine the cause of the bloody nipple discharge.
Question:  #5377 12/27/2005		Q:	I am 35 years old and recently had my first base-line mammogram. The right breast showed a 6mm nodular density in the central aspect of the breast on the CC view, 5 cm posterior to the nipple. Additional, follow-up views did not find the nodular density present in any views other than the craniocaudal view. I have been on BC for 17 years. It was recommended that I come in for a recheck in 6 months. My question is...should I consider going in for a digital mammogram now (first mammo was not digital); would that be a better diagnostic tool? Also, for about a year, I have had swelling and pain in my armpits that comes and goes and I now believe the pain is correlated with the time of my cycle. Should I be concerned with the armpit swelling and pain? Thanks.
		A:	bilateral pain is less worrisome than unilateral and if you are finding it correlating with menstruation then you may have answered your own question. digital mammography is a good option for you given your age and the density findings. see where it is available in your area.
Question:  #5378 12/27/2005		Q:	We know that 80% of breast lumps are benign upon biopsy? Do we have statistics for other breast abnormalities, dimple, redness, etc.? Also, how common are visual manifestations of breast cancer?
		A:	40% of women find their own breast cancer as a lump and usually find it while showering. there are some symptoms that are more worrisome than others for being predictive of breast cancer-- dimpling, orange peel skin for example.
Question:  #5379 12/27/2005		Q:	My mother is a 52 year old woman who has recently received a cytology report of the left brest saying (Microscopy):The smears are highly cellular, composed of many clusters of cohesive as well as discohesive cells. Many clusters show small cells with normochromatic nuclei.Some cell clusters are composed of cells showing moderate pleomorphism. Many large discohesive cells are seen with highly pleomorphic and hypercghromatic nuclei and eosinophilic cytoplasm.The background shows many blood cells.The IMPRESSION part said: Morphological features are highly suggestive of malignancy.Advised :Biopsy for confirmation. That was her report.Can you please explain the meaning of this report and please inform me as to what problem she has and what has to be done to cure it.Please also inform me whther it is cureable or will it lead to death, if so how many years more has she to live.Please give full details of her situationa nd how it can be cured.Thanks alot.I will eb very grateful to your reply
		A:	right now, she doesn't have a diagnosis of anything yet so its premature to guess at anything. she needs to follow through with getting a biopsy done that samples more tissue and can confirm what this is. once that is known then a plan of care can be put into place.
Question:  #5380 12/27/2005		Q:	My sister in law had a b/l mastectomy for inflammatory breast cancer. One node was positive out of 17. What are the chances that this will not spread somewhere else?
		A:	inflammatory breast cancer is classified as stage 3b breast cancer with a high risk of metastasis. scans will be done to help determine if there is any known disease found elsewhere and they will be aggressive with her treatment probably.
Question:  #5381 12/27/2005		Q:	I am 29 y/o with a hx of fibrocystic breats. I am not breastfeeding and not pregnant. About a week ago, I noticed a slight indentation in my right breast. As days go by, the indentation has become more visible and definitely palpable. It feels more like a clogged vein/duct(?)than an actual lump causing my breast to bulge up on the sides of the indentation. The indentation is about 3 to 4 inches long and runs vertically on my breast. It is very hard. There is some tenderness in my breast and armpit. No nipple discharge. I went to my Dr. and she said she's never seen breast cancer present itself like this but really didn't know what's causing this. She ordered an ultrasound but my appt. isn't until 3 weeks from now. I am worried. I'm scared that my case isn't being taken seriously to warrant an earlier appt. Even if it's not cancer, is it possible that it might be a clogged vein not allowing proper blood circulation. Isn't this just as dangerous?
		A:	it needs to be investigated by your doctor and should be done soon to determine what this is and how to address it.
Question:  #5382 12/27/2005		Q:	I just wrote an email about breast indentation. What do you know about Mondor's disease? The "cord-like" feel is similar to what I'm experiencing.
		A:	not familiar with it enough to be able to comment on it.
Question:  #5383 12/27/2005		Q:	I am 29 y/o with a hx of fibrocystic breats. I am not breastfeeding and not pregnant. About a week ago, I noticed a slight indentation in my right breast. As days go by, the indentation has become more visible and definitely palpable. It feels more like a clogged vein/duct(?)than an actual lump causing my breast to bulge up on the sides of the indentation. The indentation is about 3 to 4 inches long and runs vertically on my breast. It is very hard. There is some tenderness in my breast and armpit. No nipple discharge. I went to my Dr. and she said she's never seen breast cancer present itself like this but really didn't know what's causing this. She ordered an ultrasound but my appt. isn't until 3 weeks from now. I am worried. I'm scared that my case isn't being taken seriously to warrant an earlier appt. Even if it's not cancer, is it possible that it might be a clogged vein not allowing proper blood circulation. Isn't this just as dangerous?
		A:	ask your doctor to call the radiologist directly and get you added onto their diagnostic evaluation scheduled now-- not later.
Question:  #5384 12/27/2005		Q:	I have had no problems with my breasts at all, just went in to take a shower and took my clothes off and my right brast is purple, I am shocked, it does not hurt, itch anything, what in the world could this be? I am 64 yrs old and have had my uturus and overies taken out some time ago.
		A:	golly. don't know but you need to call your doctor and get seen. so do so.
Question:  #5385 12/27/2005		Q:	I am a 15 year old girl and I have many lumps in both of my breastsand I was wondering what it could be. I am really worried because I have a family history of cancer. Sould I go to the doctor?
		A:	more than likely it is hormonal changes as you are maturing fast now.
Question:  #5386 12/27/2005		Q:	Thank you for responding to my concerns. I just want a little clarification to Question #20 pertaining to swollen lymph nodes. From what I've read online, swollen lymph nodes can be triggered by an infection, however, I have no symptoms of such and my lymph nodes have been swollen going on two month now. Is that normal for an infection to run its course?
		A:	lymph nodes can be swollen due to infection that doesn't present itself as symptoms that a patient would notice. doctor needs to see you to figure this out though.
Question:  #5387 12/27/2005		Q:	My mother is 1 of 6 girls in her family. Four have had breast cancer, 2 before age 45, the others from their 60s on up to age 84. One had breast cancer 2x eventually causing her death. One cousin had breast cancer at 45 and another had colon cancer at 45. My mother, age 73, has never had breast cancer. I am 41 and had a breast reduction a year ago. I was filled with fibrocystic breast disease, typical hyperplasia, proliferative breast disease and a mild infection in one breast. I was reduced to a 36b-c from a d-dd. A year later I am back up to a 36d with no significant weight gain. I had my mammography in November and had 3 suspicious areas biopsied, all being negative for cancer.Can you offer any explanation for my breasts increasing in size? I am concerned that all those benign breast diseases are continuing to thrive in my breasts, leading to a possible future breast cancer. If I have another reduction do you think I will have permanent results or will I face the same issues.
		A:	no clue why your breasts gained weight since you didn't gain weight at the same time. time for your family to seek genetic testing though. for those who are survivors of breast cancer talk with them about getting the blood test and also talk with your mom about doing the same so that you can more accurately know your risk.
Question:  #5388 12/26/2005		Q:	I am 32 years old. For the past two weeks I have had a dull ache in my left breast on and off. Not even on a daily basis but enough that I'm wondering.. Sometimes it's sort of behind my nipple...like inside. And sometimes it's on the side, not in my armpit but lower. I am a DD and wondered if it could have something to do with size but it's only recently that I've felt the ache. I have not found any lumps at all and there is no history of breast cancer in my family. Thank you.
		A:	your body is telling you something. what, we don't know. so see your gyn for a clinical breast exam to helps ensure it is nothing of real concern.
Question:  #5389 12/26/2005		Q:	I had silicone breast implants removed a year ago and replaced with saline implants. Approximately two months ago I noticed lumps in my lower right arm pit one of which is approximatetly 1 - 1 1/2 inches in diameter. Tonight I noticed lumps in my left arm pit. Can this just be lymph nodes reacting to the implants? I hate to be a hypochondriac...should I check with the doctor
		A:	could be but it would be best to see your doctor to make sure that is all it is.
Question:  #5390 12/26/2005		Q:	I had a mammogram in Nov. and they called me back in to get more pictures and used a magnifying glass during the mammogram. After many attempts and different pictures the nurse came out and said that the radiologist did not think it was cancer and that I should repeat the mammogram in 6 months. Well, I was uncomfortable with this so I went to a surgeon. He explained that 95% of the time this is not cancer and showed me that when they press out the tissue the mass or whiteness they are seeing on the mammogram is almost unable to be seen. T the time of the visit I did not feel any lumps and neither did the surgeon. But that weekend I found a very small lump. It is not in the same place where they are seeing the abnormality on the mammogram. The surgeon got me in that Mon. and palpated it. He siad that it was very small. He wasn't sure what it was and said to keep an eye on it and h would see me again it 8 weeks to feel it. If it grows or changes I am to call him. I did have breast reduction surgery about 2 years ago. He seems to think this is either fat nacrosis or fibroadema. Does this make sense to you? Do you feel I should have had an ultra sound done for either situation? He never mentioned this. I am really nervous over this. I also had a mole removed from my back and it was found to be basal cell cancer and Igo in a couple of weeks for the doctor to dig deeper on that. But, that doctor said that this should not pose future health risks. Is there any reason that I should be more concerned with that being found? I am 40 years old, no cancer on my mothers side . My fathers side is packed with it. He dided at 59 from colon and my aunt died at 55 with breast. My other aunt on that side had cervical ad was treated. Sorry to ramble- thanks for the advice.
		A:	without seeing you there is no way to guess if the course of action is in your best interest or not. when in doubt, take your films to another radiologist for a second reading and clinical breast exam though.
Question:  #5391 12/26/2005		Q:	My wife had stage2 bc, diagnosed 16 mths ago. She has completed chemo and is on tamox. Her prognosis is good (0 nodes, negative margins, her2/neu -ve, 2.2 cm). She has developed a slight cough on/off since early October. Her longest relief was 18 days in late Nov with no cough. She has had 3 x-rays during this 16 mths, last one 2 months ago, all were clear. However, I'm still worried. I read in a medical article from U. of Massachusetts that for lung cancer to advance to the point where there is chronic coughing, it would almost always be radiographically evident. My question is: Does this statement of fact apply to both primary AND scecondary lung cancer from bc, ie are the symptoms of coughing be reached at similar rates where it should show up on an x-ray. Please help me ease my worries. Thanks very much.
		A:	yes, so ask about a lung scan instead of a chest xray.
Question:  #5392 12/26/2005		Q:	I am 30 and just discovered two lumps on my left breast. One is larger, moves easily,round and tender. The other is small and rigid with no pain. I have also had milky discharge from both breasts since the lumps appeared and hormonal changes. I am going in for a mammogram tomorrow but I don't know how worrisome these symptoms should be. I have read that moveable, painful lumps are usually non-cancerous. I don't drink caffiene so I don't think that these changes are due to that. Based on the information I have given you and your past experience, is there any correlation between breast cancer and my symptoms?
		A:	don't try to outguess this yourself. remember most lumps are found to be benign and we will hope you fall into that majority. no way yet to know if these are worrisome or not but am glad you are doing the right thing and getting them checked out.
Question:  #5393 12/26/2005		Q:	This is a follow up to question #41(same category) In your answer you asked for more details. the pathology report did not mention the exact size of the primary tumor but my oncologist said initially about 7 x 7 cm. to smaller than a quarter. my cancer is er+, her2neu-. the doctors have told me I am not good candidate for flap reconstruction. Pre-masectomy discussions with surgeon and radiologist, ruled out implant but agreed on expander as not being an obstacle for radiation treatments, for possible future reconstruction. All tests so far(mri, pet scan, cat scans) have shown no signs of cancer elsewhere. My main question is what is the next best treatment, or options in my situation?
		A:	7cm would be stage 3. locally advanced breast cancer. tissue expanders can handle radiation okay then implant put in later, however there still may be problems with the permanent implant down the road due to the radiated tissue. find out more why you aren't a candidate for flap surgery, such as diep flap. women can have had abdominal incisions and still have diep flap-- not tram flap but diep flap. chemo usually done for large tumors first to shrink them before surgery and then radiation post mastectomy. hormonal therapy as well since hormone receptor positive.
Question:  #5394 12/26/2005		Q:	according to an ultesound, i have a dilated duct on my right breast. i have nipple discharge clear, sometimes bloody. light & spontanious at times. the dr wants to do a breast biopsy. is this a normal test? i have had a prolactin blood test & a "pap" smear of the discharge. should i wait for these results. needless to say i am a bit scared, more so of the test then the results.
		A:	duct is dilated for a reason and prolactin level won't influence the reason why. so getting more information about the cause would be the likely next step. ductogram sometimes gives the answers or biopsy.
Question:  #5395 12/26/2005		Q:	I FOUND A LUMP IN MY BREAST JULY OF 2005 HAD A MAMM AND U/S DONE RESULTS,MAMM:MODERATE FIBROGLANDULAR PATTERN IN BOTH BREAST.U/S:ILL DEFINED HYPOECHOIC AREA NOTED BENEATH SKIN CORRESPONDING TO PALPABLE ABNORMALITY FINDINGS NON SPECIFIC,SIX MONTH FOLLOW UP. WENT TO DOCTOR SAID I SHOULD GO TO BREAST SPECIALIST, REALLY CAN'T AFFORD ALL OF THIS BACK AND FORTH DOCTOR APPTS, LUMP IS STILL PRESENT HASN'T CHANGED WITH MENSTRUAL CYCLE I'M 37 SHOULD I BE REAL CONCERNED NO HISTORY THAT I KNOW OF, OF B/C. THANK YOU
		A:	its been 6 months so its time to reassess this in breast imaging. though it may seem that it isn't affordable, if it were something serious you can't afford to not take care of it either.
Question:  #5396 12/26/2005		Q:	Three times I have posted my breast cancer pathology but I have not received posting that the transaction was completed. I can't tell if the email even went through to you.
		A:	i respond to all of the postings that come through.
Question:  #5397 12/26/2005		Q:	I have a large bruise on my right breast - on the outside. I haven't bumped or hurt my breast - what should I do?
		A:	see your gyn for an examination of it.
Question:  #5398 12/26/2005		Q:	I'm 28 years old and have been suffering from pain in my left breast for over 6 months now. I have monitored the pain to see if it is related to my periods but it seems to occur almost all month. In addition I sometimes experience severe shooting pains in the top of my left arm. My grandmother died of breast cancer. Should I be concerned?
		A:	it warrants being checked out. probably not cancer related but you need relief from this problem.
Question:  #5399 12/26/2005		Q:	how i increase my brest size plz tell us i am 25yrs old
		A:	building up your pectoralis muscles with exercise will increase your breast size some. women who go on the Pill also usually experience an increase in breast size.
Question:  #5400 12/26/2005		Q:	i have a nodular asymmetric parenchyma extending into right axillary tailwith no associated stellate mass, no pathology in this region after ultra sound, i have to have a six month check up given the complexity of mammogram and density of breasts , does this mean i am more at risk of breast cancer ???
		A:	this doesn't equate to increasing your risk per se but it does mean that they found an abnormality and want to monitor it more closely to help ensure that it isn't cancer.