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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to be worried sick as the ultrasound didn’t make it clear if I have cancer or an abscess?

26 replies

OhSOconfused123 · 04/04/2022 14:04

Absolutely terrified now
Was sent from a&e to the breast clinic where I saw a specialist who seemed very sure this was a big abscess ( 5cm ) but that it would just need draining / antibiotics etc but wasn’t anything worse.
Off I go to the ultrasound to be told that whilst it doesn’t look classically like cancer, it also doesn’t classically look like an abscess.
Now I have a horrendous 2 week wait not knowing what’s going on and in complete agony Confused

OP posts:
fijicava · 04/04/2022 14:08

This happened to me, I was blindsided. I demanded an answer straight away and they confirmed that it was highly likely to be cancer. It was but am now 5 years on. You deserve to have some more information and ask for it xx

gymbummy · 04/04/2022 14:23

I had a similar experience. In my case I was very lucky as a specialist clinic was able to scan then cut and drain, and take a biopsy in one go. Like you, it wasn't possible to determine it was definitely a abscess or definitely not cancer. It turned out to be a huge abscess that was partly cleared up by the antibiotics which was why it looked 'odd'. It was a very stressful time but all good in the end. I hope you have a similar outcome. @fijicava , I hope you are in a good place 5 years on x
PS - the biopsy bit wasn't hugely painful in my case (nowhere near as painful as the bastarding abscess was!)

Original poster
OhSOconfused123 · 04/04/2022 15:31

Thank you for both replies.
Fijicava, I’m sorry for your experience and I hope you are doing well now?
Gymbunny, they couldn’t really drain as the pocket of pus wasn’t as apparent as it should have been so she was hesitant to start attempting that instead of just going for the biopsy route.
Mine can’t be partly cleared up as I only started the antibiotics this morning but she did say it could look odd if very early so that’s something.
I just feel sick with worry; I have 2 young children Confused

OP posts:
gymbummy · 04/04/2022 15:58

I wish you all the very best and hope you at least know what's happening very soon

MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 04/04/2022 16:00

The two week wait is just cruel. I hope it's nothing sinister OP, it's not fair to leave people waiting so long. Flowers

Original poster
OhSOconfused123 · 04/04/2022 16:13

It is cruel and I’m terrified

OP posts:
BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz · 04/04/2022 16:15

What have they said the two week wait is for? Is it to see what effect the ABs have on it? Could you contact your GP and explain and ask for a referral for a mammogram? I'm pretty sure there's a Pathway for breast cancer and surely their comments on the ultrasound is enough for the GP to put you on that Pathway

catscatscatseverywhere · 04/04/2022 16:17

Oh, this is so worrying. My mum waited for the results as well, we've all been dying to know what was it. Fingers crossed for you x

Someonemustknowtheanswer · 04/04/2022 16:31

What will be will be.

Original poster
OhSOconfused123 · 04/04/2022 17:03

Thanks whatwillbewillbe - not entirely helpful when I’m a mum to 2 young children.
The wait is for the biopsy results now to see if it is an abscess or cancerous.

OP posts:
BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz · 04/04/2022 17:10

@Someonemustknowtheanswer

What will be will be.
Step back. We have a winner.

2023 Empath Award

Hmm
thesandwich · 04/04/2022 17:14

Do contact Macmillan or breast cancer now helplines if you want to talk to some one.
The wait is the hardest part. Also gp if you struggle sleeping etc.

MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 04/04/2022 17:26

@thesandwich

Do contact Macmillan or breast cancer now helplines if you want to talk to some one. The wait is the hardest part. Also gp if you struggle sleeping etc.
That's a really good suggestion.
MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 04/04/2022 17:28

Sominex can be bought over the counter and is the same ' knock out' as Night Nurse but without the paracetamol element. Might help at night when you need to sleep x

justasking111 · 04/04/2022 17:44

Both I and daughter had this last year lumps that they weren't sure about we had to wait two weeks. I think the point about antibiotics is valid. Take them and try to calm your mind

DaimDillyDoo · 04/04/2022 17:56

@Someonemustknowtheanswer what the actual fuck?

Wishing you the very best of news soon OPThanks

ManateeFair · 04/04/2022 18:03

@Someonemustknowtheanswer

What will be will be.
I see Captain Crass has entered the chat
Amybelle88 · 04/04/2022 18:25

@Someonemustknowtheanswer

What will be will be.
Fucking arsehole!
Camdenish · 04/04/2022 18:32

The waiting for results is just the worst, isn’t it? Especially when you’ve got little ones who rely on you. I’m sorry you’re going through this and I hope you get the best news.

I didn’t but I’m here to tell the tale over a decade later and it was a mad journey but had some high points! FlowersLove to you.

Please don’t Google, as you’ll find the worst, that isn’T even true!
Macmillan are amazing, so good shout to contact them. If you need or want to look at websites then stick to theirs, or the NHS.

LondonerRandomName · 04/04/2022 19:18

For what it is worth, in case it helps, I discovered lumps this time last year this. The scan was not clear as to what it was. I was told it definitely does not look cancerous BUT it does different and they cannot tell. The radiologist looked very confused and went to chat with the consultant. Lots of back and forth. They did a biopsy right there and results came back negative in about a week. They could only hazard a guess that it may be dusctectasia (not cancer) . It was a horrible wait and I remember it well, so fully understand what you are going through. Lots and lots of Flowers

The lumps have not gone away, and in fact I had another biopsy last week. I am waiting for results of mine too. It looks like an abscess now and they drained it, nevertheless they did a biopsy. I get my results next week. Now they think it's possibly granulomatous mastitis (not cancer). The radiologist was absolutely confident it will come back with negative results.

Happy to chat if you want to DMFlowers

Original poster
OhSOconfused123 · 05/04/2022 08:16

Thank you all, in a lot of pain today so going to take it easy and try and enjoy time with the kids

OP posts:
fruitandvegg · 05/04/2022 08:21

I work in the breast clinic and we see this sort of thing daily and I think it's something like 95% turn out to be negative, I know it's hard but please try not to think the worse.

newbiename · 05/04/2022 08:23

@Someonemustknowtheanswer

What will be will be.
Helpful
Wheniruletheworld · 05/04/2022 08:36

@MrsPelligrinoPetrichor

The two week wait is just cruel. I hope it's nothing sinister OP, it's not fair to leave people waiting so long. Flowers
Sadly, @MrsPellingrinoPetichor, labs have 'x' capacity and only 'y' amount of staff. Tests can be undertaken immediately in certain cases - for example, when the patient is under anaesthetic having a lump removed - but realistically, histopathology takes time
PrivateHall · 05/04/2022 09:06

The pain is a good sign as it usually points towards an abscess rather than a cancerous lump. The two week wait is standard for a biopsy unfortunately, you don't bypass that by going through A&E. If you could afford to, there are private options. It absolutely sucks but you did the right thing getting it checked and its great you are in the system. Each day will feel like a week, but you will get there Flowers Be kind to yourself op.