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Question:
#8971
01/04/2005
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Q: |
In September 2004, I went on a birth control pill to control an irregular cycle. While on the pill, my breasts increased 1 cup size. I quit the pill in late November, after 2 cyles, because of the increase in breast size. Very soon after I stopped the pill, I noticed that my right breast seemed to go back to normal, while the left stayed somewhat swollen. I also started to have pain in the left breast and under the left underarm and found a swollen? puffy? fatty? area of "bra overhang" just below my left armpit that hadn't been there before. I cannot feel any lumps in the area. I had my mammogram in November (I'm 33, but they started me early because my mother and paternal grandmother both had breast cancer), just after I stopped taking the pills, and it was normal. I waited one cycle off the pills to see if the "puffy" area and occassional pain would go away. It hasn't. When I had my post-mammogram exam in November, my breast doctor didn't feel anything abnormal, said it was just fatty tissue, but it's definitely new for me, and I'm concerned --. Does this sound like something that should be further examined or is it likely attributable to hormones in the birth control pills? And how long does it usually take the body to re-adjust after having been on birth control pills? Thank you... |
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without the opportunity to examine you no one can say what this is. ask the doctor if an ultrasound can be done as part of your diagnostic evaluation. |
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Question:
#8972
02/22/2005
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I am 18 years old and about a month ago I started waking up with a sharp pain in the rib region right underneath my breast. I sleep on my stomach and it only hurts when I am sleeping. What could this be? |
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could be a cyst or hormonal changes. if it persists see your gyn doctor about it. |
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Question:
#8973
03/22/2005
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I have this Bump that is about 3inches above my nipple, and its bruised.Its on my left breast.Its not very big, its small, but not tiny.You cant see it pokeing out from the skin, u know its there only when u feel it.I noticed the bump the other day.The bruise seemed to have gotten bigger,like over night.but now it has these tiny burgundy lines in it.It hurts when I touch it & even when its not touched it has hurt.IT hurts the whole Breast just about. I cant even lay on my Breast without it hurting.Before I have ever noticed the bruise,my left breast has hurt before.To me my left breast has always looked bigger then the right.But people have told me one of your breats is always bigger then the other.But I dont know if that is true or not.Well, I am a 21year old mom, I have 2 kids.My kids are 4 and 2 1/2 years old.What do you think it could be? |
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its really impossible to say without seeing you. the statistical odds are in your favor that it isn't something life threatening but you need to get it checked out so call your gyn tomorrow and get an appointment for a clinical breast exam. |
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Question:
#8974
04/03/2005
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For several years, I have had an area in each aureola that start out as itchy, then red, then flaky... very irritating! I had silicone breast implants 20 years ago, and one has started deteriorating. It affects both breasts at the same time, periodically throughout the year. Could leakage of the implants cause this condition? Or, is this something else? |
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this is probably something else. so see your doctor about a clinical breast exam. implants are not known for causing this problem. needs checking out to rule out pagets disease. also, if implants are leaking, time to get them out! |
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Question:
#8975
03/11/2005
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I am 47 years old and recently had a complex breast cyst aspirated which produced 10mls of creamy white fluid - I read that the fluid aspirated should be brown or green - so should I be worried? Have multiple simple breast cysts in both breasts so could a "complex cyst" be the result of a "simple cyst" becoming infected? I am really worried! |
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could be normal fluid or come be infection. usually people worry when they see it is brown or green so that is why you see more commented about those colors. |
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Question:
#8976
04/17/2005
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i am a 43 year old Chinese and 6 months ago discovered growth at position 9:00 afetr a mammo & ultrasound & underwent surgery to remove it. The diagnosis is benign fibroradenoma. At the lastest ultrasound, two small fibroadenomas were still at the same position(3:00) and two lumps at the surgery location. The report stated the lumps at the surgery lcoation could be due to surgery scar. Is there any diet to follow or any medication to take to prevent the growth of the two small fibroadenoma? What do i have to do to reduce or make the lumps at the surgery location go away?
Thanks. |
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there isn't any known way to prevent fibroadenomas. the good news is that these are benign growths. |
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Question:
#8977
03/05/2005
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I had a mamo in Jan. which showed faint microcalcifications in left breast. Diagnosis report stated indeterminate cluster. They were only seen in one view and it was recomended I return in 3mos for mamo. I had 2nd last week on advise of surgeon to see if they would be clearer now so they could do biopsy which he said they would probably do the same day. I was to have the steriotactic biopsy performed by the radiologist. After mamo radiologist stated he was positive they were benign as he could see them a little clearer and they appeared to have slight "tea-cupping". He was sure I didn't need a biopsy and said they are not malignant and would never be malignant. Today I get report in mail from him stating "probably benign cluster of microcalcifications". I am worried and angry. Probably and positively are two different things. I want to know for sure if they are benign. Also now my peace of mind is shattered and I'm worrying again. Our friend is losing her battle of 5 yrs and is w/in days of death. Another friend just had complete mastectomy as hers is invasive (diagnosed 3 wks ago). I explained this to the Dr. and he agreed about my concerns of knowing for sure and catching it early. Should I get another opinion? Radiologist report & conversation discrepencies make me wonder what is going on. I don't want to keep going through procedures but I do need peace of mind that they are positive I'm OK! What do you suggest my next step is? What else do I need to know. Thank you! |
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A: |
saying "positively" without tissue samples is a foolish thing today... the only way to be definitively sure is with a biopsy. consider taking your films elsewhere for a re-reading and another opinion. |
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Question:
#8978
03/16/2005
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I am 42 years old and over the past several months my breasts have started itching --- should I be concerned? Thanks! |
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since it is new, see your doctor for a clinical breast exam. don't panic though. |
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Question:
#8979
03/09/2005
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I have pain and burning in left breast with a red line running from nipple
cannot touch,even clothes hurt. woke up this AM 03/07/05 and has only worsened throughout day. any one ever heard of this?
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why haven't your called your doctor and gotten seen? call him. you need to get this checked out and treated, no matter what it might be. |
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Question:
#8980
02/24/2005
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I am very impressed with the questions and answers on your website. Most of the patients sound like Doctors! I'm afraid I won't though. I have an unusual situation. I was bitten in the breast by a dog last year (I was trying to protect my face, and instead he attacked my breast, puncturing the skin in 3 spots)The dog never had shots, and was impounded. About 10 days later, My entire breast was a solid mass. I was panicked, as breast cancer runs in my family. I was taken in immediately for a mammogram, followed by a sonogram. Yes, there was trauma, most likely caused by the dog bite. Slowly, the mass and hematoma dissipated. Now, a year later, I've found a lump on the same breast. It wasn't there in earlier self examinations. I was again sent in for a mammogram. My results were read right away, and I was called in for an ultrasound. The ultrasound showed two cysts. The Radiologist spoke with me and said he ordered the ultrasound because my mammagram had abnormalities that disturbed him, but felt relieved to find the cysts. He suggested using a needle and draining them, telling me that this would save me a trip to the Surgeon (already scheduled) I agreed, and the procedure began. He stopped on the first cyst, because it was filled with blood, and it worried him. He said cysts filled with blood were usually cancerous in nature. The second cyst is still untouched. He sent me back over for another mammogram. He then wanted to know if I could still feel the lump. I said yes, and for some reason it felt larger. He then advised me to keep my appiontment with my surgeon, because he felt like they "stumbled" upon the cysts by accident. The second mammogram showed the initial abnormalities detected in the first one. The following day my Doctor informed me the reports were in and I did have two growths with a cyst in each area. What are the chances of this being cancerous, and could it be related to the dog bite from last year? Can trauma cause breast cancer? As with anything, could this be a re-occurring issue I will have to deal with the rest of my life? Thank you, and Warmest Regards. |
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you have experienced an unusual trauma to say the least! dog bites are known for being very dirty and commonly result in a local infection no matter where the dog gets you. trauma to the breast cancer result in hematomas, formation of calcifications, scar tissue, etc. so don't panic yet that there was blood in the cyst. wait for pathology to tell you more. |
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Question:
#8981
03/30/2005
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I had a baby 14 months ago. I stopped breastfeeding about 10 months ago. Upon doing my routine breast examination this month, I could express fluid from my nipple. It starts out as a clear fluid and then with more expresssion turns to a thicker, yellowish color coming from just the middle on one breast and out two ducts on the other. I am going to go for a physical examination and checkup by my doctor in a few months, but should I go immediately. What could be causing this...am I still producting milk even after 10 months?
Thanks |
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probably something that isn't going to be worrisome in the end. so don't panic. your doctor will probably arrange for a mammogram and ultrasound to see the cause. nipple discharge is increasingly common in women. just get it checked out. |
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Question:
#8982
02/21/2005
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My mom had a suspicious mammogram so they did an MRI and found it suspicious also. She is scheduled for a biopsy next week and had to have a chest xray beforehand. The doctor called and said they found a nodule and she has to have a CT scan done in a couple days. Could this be coincidence, or are they likely related? She stopped smoking 20 years ago and they don't have another chest xray to compare it to. Thank you! |
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if they've told her both the mammo and mri look suspicious and now see something on her chest xray there is a possiblity there is a correlation. |
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Question:
#8983
02/08/2005
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For the past two months I have experienced a burning sensation/pain in both of my breast. Then my one breast was itching really bad and I got a bruise. I also have a 6 year old daughter who I breast feed and I still have milk in them. I had a mamo and ultrasound 4 years ago and they said I did have dense breast but everything was. But I am really worried. Should I be? |
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hhmm. hoping you meant to say "had breast fed" and not that you still at, at age 6! These are abnormal symptoms of something going on but what is unknown with a clinical breast exam and diagnostic evaluation so ask your doctor to see you. |
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Question:
#8984
04/12/2005
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About a month ago I found something that looked like a pimple next to my aerola and it itched a little. Since I thought it was a pimple I popped it and it went away. I told my mom and she said that sometimes that can be a sign of a rare type of breast cancer. I am really worried now, can you please tell me where I can find more information about this or if I really should be worried.
Thank you |
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if it went away then stop worrying. she is probably referring to either pagets disease of the nipple or inflammatory breast cancer. it wouldn't go away. |
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Question:
#8985
02/05/2005
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In the discussion of mammogram and ultra sound results, both done today, the term "asymetrical" was used by the radiologist. What sort of condition is this? Could the condition be significant? He also said "it" needs to be taken out. . .Thank you for your help. |
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It means he saw something abnormal but what isn't stated here. mammograms are compared to one another, looking for symmetry. he says he found one spot that wasn't symmetric. |
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Question:
#8986
04/21/2005
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Great site. Wealth of Information. I need advise. My wife (45 years old, going through pari-menopause) had a memmogram and ultrasound for cyst (felt by Dr. during physical). The mammogarm BI-RADS is 1. The Ultrsound reads: "There are some dilated ducts in the immediate periareolar area. At the 10:00 location in the right breast, there is an approximately 3 mm cyst. There are no suspicious masses. There is no architectural distortion." Impression: "Incidentally noted small cyst at the 10:00 position" and Bi-RADS: "2 - Neg w/ benign findings". Shoudl we be worried about this 3mm cyst? Thanks in advance for your advise. God bless you. |
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nope. a great report... other women would kill to have this be there mammo and ultrasound report. congrats. |
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Question:
#8987
03/07/2005
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Q: |
i am 20 years old and had a child 4 years ago since then my breasts still produce milk. it doesnt leak until squeezing but it is quite a good bit is it normal and is there anything i can do to stop it? |
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avoid squeezing them because that is contributing to the milk production. see your gyn doctor for a clinical breast exam and evaluation. he might give you meds to help dry it up. |
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Question:
#8988
04/03/2005
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hi, I'm 50yr old w/bc history of 21 yr old half sister dx 16 yrs ago, still ok, 45 yr old sister dx 4 yrs ago, still ok. no other bc in family that we are aware of. I had screening mamao 4 mos ago, no problems detected. 10 days ago got tingling in rt breast and felt a lump, went to gyno, aspirated it got tiny amount of clear fluid and said he wasn't concerned. I've had two other cysts in lft breast. now I still feel the lump. I've made an appt to see bc specialist in 5 wks. should i wait that long? thank you so much |
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the lump could be from the aspiration procedure of draining the cyst. you should be followed by a high risk specialist given your family history anyway. |
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Question:
#8989
01/20/2005
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I am 48 years old and not lactating or anything. I have a tingling or almost "fizzing" feeling in my left breast. There is no discharge from the breast, but this is the one that has a large cyst in it, from which liquid has been drained one time. I cannot find any questions with the word "tingle" or fizz, but am wondering if the cyst could be leaking INSIDE which might make this strange sensation. I notice it most often in the evenings, which may be just because I am paying attention. It has only been a month or so since my last mammogram. Do you have any ideas what this sensation could be? |
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Ask the doctor about doing a diagnstic evaluation-- this would likely include an ultrasound, to look at the breast using different technology. |
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Question:
#8990
01/03/2005
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Happy New Year! I have a question that has been bothering me for a couple of years. I am 48 yrs. old. I had a bilateral mastectomy in 1991. My breast surgeon stongly suggested due to repeated lumpectomies, five in two years for both breasts. Background is as follows: I suffered from very large breasts, I started my period at 11 years of age, needless to say I had extremely dense breasts and also had problems with inverted nipples after childbirth, mastitus, and many cysts/tumors/calcifications etc. My biopsies always came back "atypical hyperplasia" and fibrosomething. I did not have reconstructive surgery. I am not overweight and I had my children at the age of 16 and 17 years of age. I had a hysterectomy at 22 years of age due to severe bleeding, adhesions, etc. My GYN told me that I could go on hormones in 1998 since I was pre-menopausal. In late 1999, my pcp found two lumps in armpit area and suggested my first mammo since mastectomy. The radiologist referred me for follow-up. I saw my breast surgeon who did ultrasound, he said he believed it to be scar tissue but to follow with a repeat mammo next year. Had the mammo next year and the same thing happened, sent for follow-up. Long story short, I am having severe and constant left arm pain, not shoulder it begins about two inches from shoulder down to about three inches past my elbow. I have a pain in what was my left breast area sort of under the arm. I have had x-rays of the arm, shoulder and wrist, I have had steriod shots in the shoulder and arm. The pain feels like bone pain in the arm. I asked my breast surgeon if anyone had ever been diagnosed with breast cancer after preventative mastectomy, his reply was he only knew of one person in his 40 years of practice. Should I be concerned and ask for some kind of other tests. All the tests have been normal in looking for fractures of the arm. The doctor had prescribed pain pills that really do not ease the pain. I am exhausted and have lost 28 pounds this past six months. I really don't know if this should be a concern, but how does one really know that what shows up on mammo and ultrasound are really "just scar tissue"? |
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a study was published 2 years ago that confirmed that women who were high risk for developing breast cancer and did prophylactic mastectomies only had a 1% incidence of later developing the disease. so the probability would be extremely low. see your internal medicine physician for more evaluation at this point to decipher what this pain is from. |
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Question:
#8991
03/07/2005
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Can pressing a lump too often cause pain in underarm area? The lump itself is not painful but if I keep checking it out over and over, after a few days the area gets a little tender.
The lump is not near my underarm area but lately I now feel occasional flashes of somewhat mild soreness in the small under-area where the arm meets the chest.
I no longer continually check my lump and will leave it until dr. appt. next week.
However under arm discomfort still here ... is the underarm pain most likely related to the pressure being applied to the lump or something separate? |
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it may or may not be related but is possible. remember that the lymph nodes are in the armpit and when there is trauma to the breast (continuous checking it qualifies) it can trigger the lymmphatic system to "turn on". stop touching it! see your doctor for a clinical breast exam. |
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Question:
#8992
02/22/2005
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my 11 year old daughter has a large bump on one of her breasts, very sensitive and the nipple area is red. What could this be? Has been like this for 24-36 hours |
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could be in infection, mastitis, blocked duct, cyst.... probably benign but needs to be taken care of. so take her to your doctor. |
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Question:
#8993
02/24/2005
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I am a 32 year old, I have given birth to two children, the last two years ago. I breast fed each a year. I have been experiencing some leaking from my right breast. It is yellow with a tinge of green. I saw my gyn, but he said it was probably nothing I didn't feel like he gave me a thorough exam, but he did notice some leaking on my left side as well. He only spent about 5 minutes with me. I am concerned because my breasts are tender. I have another appointment with a different doctor but not until April. How concerned should I be about this and is it okay to wait that long? |
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time for diagnostic evaluation in a breast imaging center with a radiologist then to decipher what this is. |
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Question:
#8994
01/24/2005
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I just had my 2nd A/C chemo yesterday and today it looks like the affected breast has developed cellultitus as it is all red and slightly warm to the touch. This also happened after my first chemo and they put me in the hospital for 2 days with IV antibiotics. I had previously had a rexcision and developed a hematoma with infection. This was over a month ago. Could the infection still be there and the chemo is aggrevating it? |
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not sure, but something is clearly wrong to call you doctor and have him see you for a clinical evaluation. sorry you are having side effects to have to deal with that are out of the ordinary. |
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Question:
#8995
02/04/2005
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I get severe pain in both my breast and also in both the underarms. I also get itching on both the breast and have dipples on the nipple area. I'm worried . Will it be a breast cancer? |
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so see your doctor and get this checked out. stop delaying. no one can guess if this is trouble, but it is abnormal and needs to be investigated and diagnosed. |
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Question:
#8996
12/29/2004
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The mammograms I have had over the last two years have shown some irregularity in the lymphnodes under my left arm. Some doctor said it was nothing and another said it should be followed up. Now they say I need a biopsy. They did not tell me if there is any change in the node, just that they want to do a biopsy using an ultrasound as a guide. Since I have had this for almost two years, is this necessary? The breasts seem fine in the mammogram. Is it possible to have lymphoma there without a problem in the breast? |
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without the opportunity to do an examination and see these films it is hard to guess.... but sounds like they are concerned and may be seeing a change from before. lymph nodes can be enlarged due to cancer, trauma, infection, viruses, and reasons we don't even know about yet. take this a step at a time. yes, lymphoma is possible but not the usual site where lymph nodes begin to react. |
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Question:
#8997
03/30/2005
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I have a mass under my aerola. on touching it pains. I am having pain from 3-4 weeks..What could be the reason |
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could be a tumor, benign or malignant, could be a cyst, could be an abscess. so get it checked out. |
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Question:
#8998
04/01/2005
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Hi. Need some help understanding my treatment options. Am 42 years old, pre-menopausal. Recently had a lumpectomy and sentinel node. Lymph nodes were clean. Pathology reports states: type: invasive ductal carcinoma; size: 1.5 cm; modified Bloom Richardson grade: moderately differentiated; archictural grade 3 of 3; nuclear grade 2 - 3 of 3; mitotic figures: 1 of 3. ER = 80%. PR = 40%. HER2 = 1+. Ki67 = <5%. Questions: (1) what is the overall "grade"? (2) Oncologist (with whom I am fairly comfortable) is recommending chemo and tamoxifen (in addition to the radiation). Given my age and pathology, is chemo warranted/standard treatment? THANK YOU. |
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the recommendations are in keeping with standards, yes. they chose to grade each type of cell separately so that is why there are several grades listed. |
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Question:
#8999
04/21/2005
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Q: |
I went to the docter for a check up and she found a flat mass and thicking in the top left breast in the glands area. she sent me for a mammography and a ultrasound and nothing show up.
so the doctor wants me to come in so she can do a breast examinations in two days. what will happen if she still can note a flattening and frim mass in my beast?
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don't know... she might do a breast mri or request a re-evaluation in breast imaging. |
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Question:
#9000
03/16/2005
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Q: |
I am a breastfeeding mom. My son is nearly 18 months old. I am trying to wean him and only breastfeed twice a day. When I was breastfeeding more often early on, I noticed painful lumps in my left breast, particularly when I was engorged but they basically remained all the time. I just contributed it to plugged ducts because I did not have any fever or discharge. Even with the reduction in breastfeeding now, I still have a very big lump in the left breast, starting below the nipple to the base of the breast. It is painful upon touch. What do you think could be the cause? And should I get a mammogram or ultrasound now or wait a few months after I've completely stopped breastfeeding. I am concerned it may be something serious and I have never had a mammogram before. Your advice will be helpful. Thanks. |
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its very difficult to get much information from a mammogram on a lactating woman. have your gyn see you for examination. he might want to do an ultrasound instead. |
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