- Resources
Q: I am a 41 year old female with severe fibrocystic breast. I have been getting my mammograms every 6 months for the last 6 years and have had several biopsies the last being 3 years ago.
Jodee, as you say, YOU know your body - yur doctor doesn't know it nearly as well. I'd suggest getting a referral to a breast specialist ASAP. If your breast is swollen, itchy, and just feels "wrong," it could be a sign of inflammatory breast cancer, a rare cancer, but one that has symptoms somewhat like this. With your family history, you ned to take any change in your breasts seriously. So call your doctor, and INSIST on a second opinion with another doctor on staff; or with a breast specialist, whom you might need to access at a larger hospital or cancer center. Try to get an appointment quickly; anytime swelling exists, it could be a sign of an infection, or something else that need quick treatment. If all else fails, go to the emergency room, OK? Make sure they know your family breast cancer history, and ask to have inflammatory breast cancer ruled out. I don't want to scare you, but this is something to take seriously; so make the call, OK? Bet of luck - I hope this turns out to be something minor, and easily treated. PJH
Jodee, good for you for taking matters into your own hands. A swelled breast isn't "normal," and you are NOT "wasting" a doctor's time by finding out what's causing this issue! I'm glad you've gone to a larger hospital; you might also consider finding a new GP, if that's how she's going to dismiss what I see as your legitimate concerns... What did the folks at the ER say? - PJH
Sorry it taken so long to get back with you , I had a family emergancy in the middle of all of this. I have have still benn in pain and dealing with the swelling, but finally went to the doctor today, I saw another specialist that I was sent too. They did an ultrasound in the office and I am being sent to the hospital on Thursday to have another ultrasound with a biopsy scheduled as well. They found a lymph node very swollen and they didn'y like the way that it looked and didn't want to wait any longer. Any information on what this could mean would be helpful.
The lymph node that is swollen is on my left breast, if standing in front of me it would be at the one o'clock position about 1/2 from nipple.
This sounds like a gradually worsening infection, Jodee; I'm glad you're finally going to see what it is. There's a slight chance it could be a rare form of breast cancer, which I think Phyllis might have mentioned: inflammatory breast cancer. They can rule this out with the biopsy, and hopefully, they will. I hope you get good news from this next round of tests - PJH
Well just returned from the hospital. They did the ultrasound and found 17 new cysts, and 2swollen lymph nodes. one in my breast and one under my arm. The tech said she was having a very hard time due to the breast tissue being very dense. They decided not to do a biopsy, and wait to see what my doxtor wants to do. So once agian I no nothing.
That is all on the left side.
Jodee, I think it's time to stop dealing with your local doctors/hospital, and ask for a referral to a breast specialist. I wouldn't be comfortable simply leaving it at you have dense breasts which makes the mammogram hard to read, plus a lot of cysts and swollen nodes. A breast specialist could probably give you much better information - for instance, have you had an MRI? It's often recommended in addition to mammogram for women with dense breasts.
If you have trouble getting a referral for a second opinion, check out our list of Comprehensive Cancer Centers. Most breast specialists are located at cancer centers, but that doesn't mean they don't treat other breast issues – so don't be scared off by the word "cancer" in connection with a breast specialist, OK? Hope this helps - PJH
Jodee, PJ is absolutely right. Do not let your doctor put you off. Besides breast cancer issues, those swollen glands could also be a lymphoma symptom. It probably will turn out to a problem that isn't serious, but you need to rule out infection or cancer early in the diagnostic process.
I have taken you advise and called my doctor again. She told me that I was overreactting and that the pain are just the cysts changing and to take ibuprofin and that will ease the pain and swelling. She told me that I didn't need to waste the other doctors time. So I am going to go to the ER tonight, since nothing has changed, I just wish I could get this pain to go away. I am going to the ER at a large hospital that has all the specialist. Thank you for the information.
Jodee, I am amazed at this doctor's attitude. I have had doctors tell me that I was overreacting, and sometimes they were right. However, I have never had a doctor tell me that trying to find out what was wrong was a waste of time. How could it be? As patients, we sometimes get really worried over what a doctor knows is not a serious problem. But it is the doctor's job to listen to us and explain exactly what our symptoms mean. Although cysts can be painful and can change over the course of a menstrual cycle and get larger and then smaller, generalized breast swelling of the sort that you describe is not a typical with cysts. At age 41 and with your previous experience with cysts, you are knowledgeable enough to know the difference between your current symptoms and the cysts problems you have had in the past. Let us know what you find out.
Sorry it taken so long to get back with you , I had a family emergancy in the middle of all of this. I have have still benn in pain and dealing with the swelling, but finally went to the doctor today, I saw another specialist that I was sent too. They did an ultrasound in the office and I am being sent to the hospital on Thursday to have another ultrasound with a biopsy scheduled as well. They found a lymph node very swollen and they didn'y like the way that it looked and didn't want to wait any longer. Any information on what this could mean would be helpful. It is my left breast. If you were standing in fromt of me it would be at the 1 o'clock position.about an inch from the nipple
Well just returned from the hospital. They did the ultrasound and found 17 new cysts, and 2swollen lymph nodes. one in my breast and one under my arm. The tech said she was having a very hard time due to the breast tissue being very dense. They decided not to do a biopsy, and wait to see what my doxtor wants to do. So once agian I no nothing. This is all in my left side.
I am back and have a question. I went yesterday for a mammogram and ultrasound, i received a phone call from my Dr. this morning saying that she had scheduled me for a biopsy tomorrow morning. I was told that I have breast lesions and they needed to be check right away. I am not sure what to think or what breast lesions are. Could you answer this for me?
This sounds unusual, Jodee, this rush from mammogram right to biopsy. Perhaps, because of the issues you've had in the past, they're more alert to possible problems. Breast lesions are simply areas of concern on a mammogram; something they can't positively identify as harmless fibroid tissue, or a cyst, or normal breast tissue. Ordinarily they'd do an ultrasound, but again, perhaps because of your past experience, they're figuring it's time for a biopsy. Please don't be too frightened; about 85% of breast biopsies are negative - no cancer. I hope that's the news you get once you get your results from tomorrow's procedure. Best of luck to you - PJH
They did an ultrasound after the mammogram yesterday. They told me they had found something but i must have misunderstood when they were talking about. I am not familiar with the lesions.
OK, Jodee, that makes more sense. As I mentioned, lesions are simply areas of concern that they can't identify - and in this case, they feel a biopsy is warranted. Good luck today - I hope all goes well. PJH
Let me start by explaining what happen: I went in for my biopsy as I have done before without problems. The Doctor can in and got ready to start my procedure. Starting with the numbing medice, he could barely get it into the area since the tissue is so dense, and the decided to move to the outer upper quad. thinking it would be easier. He started the biopsy and after 25 min he fiannly got to the are, I could hear it everytime he broke through the fibros tissue. He said "it was like going through a brick wall". They had another nurse to come in to help with getting the other peices that were needed. It took 2 hrs 10 min to get 5 samples. I will say that he kept saying that he was sorry that he had to do it like this. was done i had major swelling and bruising and still have some bruising today and it has been 11 days. He said that he would not recommened me having any more biopsies in this manner. I finally got my results. Stated that it was a benign fiborous tumor. Talked with Dr. and she said that it would be alright but they need to recheck it in 3 months, and that they will also be watching the tissue for any changes. I am more confussed than what I was when I went in.
Jodee, unfortunately you're a woman with extremly dense breasts; as well as issues with benign lumps, it sounds like. There's no good solution here; biopsy is still the only surefire way to rule out cancer, and you may continue to have lumps that simply aren't able to be diagnosed any way except via biopsy. So your choices are ignore the lumps and hope for the best; undergo biopsies when necessary, difficult though they are; or, as a friend of mine did, have a mastectomy. This third choice is extremely aggressive, but may become the option you choose, if you have to undergo biopsy after biopsy...
One more thought: have you discussed whether there are any newer protocols for women in your situation? I know there's a process called breast tomosynthesis, or digital tomography, that's been showing promise for women with dense breasts where mammograms simply aren't accurate enough. You might ask your radiologist about this.
Finally, if you're confused about whether you have cancer: the biopsy indicates that you don't. The biopsy showed a benign tumor. So that's the good news in all of this! PJH
This my be a stupid question and may be perfectly normal, but I am going to ask anyway. I had my Biopsy 3 weeks ago and I am having itching and a rash about a 1/2 inch above the site of the biopsy. Is this normal?
There's no "normal" where surgery is concerned, Jodee; we all have our own reactions to it. As with anything unusual, though, your surgeon would want to know about it. Call his/her office tomorrow, describe your symptoms, and see what they say. Don't worry about "bothering" them with something that might not be a problem; they're there to make sure you recover without any problems, so better safe than sorry. Take care - PJH
Important:
We hope you find this general health information helpful. Please note however, that this Q&A is meant to support not replace the professional medical advice you receive from your doctor. No information in the Answers above is intended to diagnose or treat any condition. The views expressed in the Answers above belong to the individuals who posted them and do not necessarily reflect the views of Remedy Health Media. Remedy Health Media does not review or edit content posted by our community members, but reserves the right to remove any material it deems inappropriate.
Featuring Content From:
By using this service, you accept our Terms of Use. Please read them. The consumer health information on is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment for any medical conditions. You should promptly seek professional medical care if you have any concern about your health, and you should always consult your physician before starting a fitness regimen. Copyright © 2012 Remedy Health Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
I have taken you advise and called my doctor again. She told me that I was overreactting and that the pain are just the cysts changing and to take ibuprofin and that will ease the pain and swelling. She told me that I didn't need to waste the other doctors time. So I am going to go to the ER tonight, since nothing has changed, I just wish I could get this pain to go away. I am going to the ER at a large hospital that has all the specialist. Thank you for the information.