Silly worrying

[user1482573375]

Hi, my (male) partner had a lump in his left 'breast' above the nipple around 8 weeks ago. He had penicillin for 2 weeks. He was referred to the breast clinic who gave him ultrasound and took some fluid from his chest. Had a phone call a week later which was "good news, probably an infection". He now has a follow up visit this Friday. Should I be concerned?

If he has been told its just an infection i wouldnt worry, men can get breast infections too, or anywhere women can,if its good news dont worry

It's only because they said probably an infection and they want a follow up.

They will probably follow him up to ensure that it decreases in size and then disappears altogether. Breast lumps make clinicians (as well as patients and their relatives) nervous so they will just want to make sure all angles are covered.

The lump had disappeared by the time he had the appt. The ultrasound technician seemed to think it may be an abscess and couldn't see a lump. Took some fluid that was in breast and sent it to pathology. Had a phone call a week later saying, probably an infection. I know I'm being silly, but why say probably.

Health professionals don't offer complete certainty very often. If there is no lump, they couldn't find anything on ultrasound, and the tissue they sent suggested infection... it's hard to imagine that the diagnosis is going to be anything else.

They probably (there I go...!) just want to check again that everything is okay and are being careful. This is a good approach for making sure nothing is missed but the downside is that it causes a lot of additional worry.

I would be pretty relaxed about the whole thing given what you've said so far.