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Original poster

Lump In Breast..Not Cancer, Not a Cyst, but..

33 replies

EvesMama · 21/06/2006 12:39

they advise me to have it taken out so they can see exactly what it is..nothing showed up on scan, nor in cells which were taken.
i have a small red 'spot' which looks like(ACORDING TO MY GP) A BLOOD blister, the lump can be moved slightly and consultant says this is good.
he's given me 4 weeks and said if i do have the op, i am at risk of losing lots of blood due to where they have to operate, increased risk of infection due to position?, and may be left with mis shapen breast..i know i sound stupid and would kick myself if anything did come of it and i didnt act, but am confused over best thing to do

OP posts:

Twiglett · 21/06/2006 12:45

how scary .. no wonder you're confused

ok taking it in pieces

I have no doubt at all that you should go for the op (biopsy?) .. no doubt at all ..

however I would discuss the ramifications of the op more closely with them

what can they do to lessen risk of infection? antibiotics?

what can they do if your breast becomes mis-shapen? will you have reconstructive surgery? can they do that at same time

good luck with your decision making .. thinking of you

Original poster

EvesMama · 21/06/2006 13:25

dya think my gp would be able to answer those Q or would i have to wait to see consultant?

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Original poster

EvesMama · 21/06/2006 16:09

anyone had similar?..need a bit of advice as t who to speak to about this

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anchovies · 21/06/2006 16:14

I had exactly the same, where abouts is your lump? And do they know how big it is? Do you know where the incision will be?

tamum · 21/06/2006 16:19

I would agree with Twiglett. I would definitely have the surgery to be honest, but it's certainly worth asking questions. I should think your GP could answer some of it, but only if he/she has got the full report from the consultant. I would try to see the consultant if you can, or maybe a breast nurse about the infection stuff?

lalaa · 21/06/2006 16:34

haven't had this but am breast cancer patient so can help a bit with some of it.
first, this bit is the worst. waiting around, decisions to be made, not sure what to do for the best. it's the scariest time. once you've made the decision and things get moving, it gets easier.
it sounds as though you've had a biopsy already ('cells taken') and that you are facing a lumpectomy of sorts. the thing with the biopsy is that the pathologist can only report back on the cells that are actually taken, and though they are likely to be representative of whatever is there, things can be missed because they are only looking at a few cells. For example, with me, the biopsy came back as a grade 2 cancer, but once they'd taken the lump away and examined all of it, it turned out to be a grade 3. All of this adds up, to me, to why they are suggesting all of the lump is taken away.
In terms of the warnings you've been given, they have to give you chapter and verse in terms of any possible side effects. Some are more common than others. Can you ask how likely it is that you would get an infection, how likely it is that your breast will be misshapen - they should be able to give you a percentage statistic. It might only be a 10% chance, or it might be a high chance. At least if you know you are making a more informed choice. Asking about a reconstruction is good advice too.
If you've got a breast unit at the hospital, you may well have breast care nurses, and they would be the best people to speak to about your queries - they can answer some queries themselves, or find out from the consultant and ring you back. If you don't have this facility, you could call breast cancer care (number on their website: www.breastcancercare.org.uk) who have nurses on standby to deal with queries. They are v. lovely. I don't think your GP will be able to answer your questions.
I'm probably biased because of what I've been through but I would say have the lump taken away because then you'll know for sure one way or another what it is. If you don't have it taken away, you'll probably fret about it for ages.
Any more questions, just shout.

Original poster

EvesMama · 21/06/2006 21:13

hi there and thanks for replying.
the lumo is on underside of right breast, just below nipple.

thanks Lalaa, they said when i first went in, they would ned to take cells by drawing them out wih needle, went back second time they said they didnt get 'anything??' first time and would either have to do it again or do a biopsy, which they said was more painful??#so not sure what has actually been done in correct terminology?

i will try and ring breast unit to try and speak to someone about it, as you say, i need to know the 'level' of risk, not just that htere is one.
thankyou..am still feeling very weird, almost like theyve told me i had cancer but its a dream, i dont know, just concerned that if they 'assume' its not, and i still have to have it removed?..scares me

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Original poster

EvesMama · 21/06/2006 21:13

lump, not lumo

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anchovies · 21/06/2006 21:57

Hi Evesmama, agree with everyone else, defo ring clinic for more info.

As I said I had the same thing, inconclusive biopsy so lumpectomy. I think basically if they cant be absolutely certain it's nothing, they take it out. My lump was also just below my nipple, they made a small incision around my nipple removed the lump then glued it. It healed perfectly (invisible now) and nothing missing IYKWIM! I think they may have problems answering some of your questions, they couldnt tell me what it would look like afterwards until they saw how much they needed to remove. The whole procedure was surprisingly easy though. Fingers crossed you get some answers, there's nothing worse than the uncertainty of it all.

lalaa · 22/06/2006 11:43

it sounds as though they tried to do a fine needle aspiration (which they do for cysts, typically, drawing off some fluid). If they weren't able get anything from that, then biopsy should be the next step IMO - seems little point doing a lumpectomy if they can do the biopsy and check to see whether there are any nasty cells in there that way. Biopsy does hurt quite a lot, but better option than a lumpectomy, and it could rule out any possibility of your breast becoming mis-shapen. Top tip for a biopsy is to take a paracetamol 10/20 mins before hand.
I remember when I got my diagnosis - I felt like I was in a soap opera - in it, and watching it all at the same time. Very strange.
Get some more info from the hospital and let us know how you get on.....

Original poster

EvesMama · 22/06/2006 22:53

cant talk properly at min cos having baaad day..but thankyou all for helping me..be back soon
xxx

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Original poster

EvesMama · 23/06/2006 10:17

they didnt suggest a biopsy(did last time as needle thing hadnt worked but said needle aagin would be better?) just said op to take it away so they could cut it open and see what it actually is??

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lalaa · 23/06/2006 15:11

sounds very confusing. have you spoken to any of the breast care nurses at the hospital yet?

tamum · 23/06/2006 15:27

I guess if they think it's a blood blister then they are assuming they wouldn't be able to biopsy it? Very odd, I agree.

How are you, laalaa?

Elibean · 23/06/2006 16:34

It sounds pretty unusual, which probably isn't helping it feel less scary or confusing...I'm guessing the doctors are a bit confused, too.

If its a blood blister, or they suspect it is, I can't see how they could biopsy it - because it would be a blood-filled capsule rather than a solid area? I remember the biopsy needle being like a small apple-corer, punching out bits of tissue. Also, if they're worried about bleeding, I imagine a surgical removal would be safer than a closed biopsy - as in, at least they can see what they're doing. Am only guessing though.

I had a core biopsy, and mine wasn't painful...just in case you do have one in the end...but then I did beg for mega lots of local anaesthetic.

Elibean · 23/06/2006 16:35

Yes, how are you Lalaa? Its been ages since I came over here, but have thought of you and hope treatment is going ok...

anchovies · 23/06/2006 17:28

Not sure if it's unusual but that's what happened with me, sorry by biopsy I actually meant fine needle aspiration, they took the cells using the needle but it was inconclusive so they decided to just take the whole lump out and have a proper look at it once it was out.

Elibean · 23/06/2006 18:15

I actually meant the 'blood blister' diagnosis sounded unusual, rather than going for surgical removal....I think the latter is fairly common, in fact. Did you have a 'blister' too, Anchovy? I had boringly bog standard fibrocystic spongy mess, thank goodness. Easy to biopsy, but not fluid filled so no FNA possible.

Original poster

EvesMama · 23/06/2006 19:11

hi
no its not just a blood blister..theres something which looks like a blood blister about 1/2 cm from where lump is.
and it came about the same time i discovered the lump.

just to clarify..
at my first treatment, cells where taken using the needle.
second appointment, first lot of treatment was no help as no cells where 'caught', so i was asked if i wanted to have another try or have a biopsy.
they said the cells test could again be no good as they have a very low rate of finding anything..but the biospy would be much more painful..i chose to have cells taken again..the needle was bad enough!
third and most recent appointment, cells test showed no fluid, so not cyst and showed no cancerous tissues.
this time, he bi passed biospy and said he would advice that i have the lump removed as this is the only way they cans'see' exactly what it is.
and thats as far as ive got..just trying to clear it up cos i do go on

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tamum · 24/06/2006 10:10

Ah, that makes more sense Evesmama. I would say it's definitely best to have it removed (to be absolutely honest I would say essential). It's good that there's no sign of cancer, but they really need to be sure. I'm really sorry though, I know this isn't the advice you want.

Elibean · 24/06/2006 15:12

Yes, that does make more sense...and I have to agree, I'd definitely want it out too. Ask lots of questions first, but don't forget they have to tell you all the worst case scenarios re bleeding etc to cover themselves. Wishing you loads of luck, do you know when you're likely to have it done?

Original poster

EvesMama · 24/06/2006 19:39

well i have to go back four weeks from last appointment(i should get date this week) and hell want me to tell him then.
he said ill have to go in on day of op early to have bvlood taken and check im ok with anesthetic as they cant knock me out to do it(reminds me of time i had to have lazer treatment after abnormal smear and watched it all on portable tv next to me!!)..he said i should be able to come home early evening.

im going to ring breast unit in morn when dd at nursery.

i told an aquantance about it today as shes just done race for life, she asked me what i was going to do and i said well if it was you telling me 'youd' found a lump, id say get it out asap!..so it seems i may have to practice what i would preach, doesnt make it any easier though..just want to get contracts exchanged on house before this friday, then i can concentrate more on this!

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sparklemagic · 24/06/2006 20:45

so sorry to hear this Evesmama....glad you've had some good advice on here though. What with this and waiting to exchange contracts, my god you must be stressed!

Am thinking of you though and hope it's all done asap so that you can just forget about it and move on.

Original poster

EvesMama · 24/06/2006 21:09

thanks(i think i know who you are?..so amny adjustments to names)
just been to place where new hosue is, to chippy up road..they do the best and biggest kebabs!!..salads are gorg..yes i know its all bone and hair..but these ones are fab!..was giving owner earache about house move(didnt seem appropriate to burden him with my lump..he might have wanted to see it..if we can get moved on date weve all agreed to, then my hosp appointment is following day, so everything happening together, meaning less time to dwell on it

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Original poster

EvesMama · 24/06/2006 21:15

oh and last nite dp confirmed to me that i actually have at least 2 bald patched on my head..alopicia brought on by stress..had them before but one of these is actually on hairline and v.noticable

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