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Sunday, July 19, 2009 NervousNelly asks

Q: Painful breast lump and swollen underarmglands, somewhat better by antibiotics. Could it be cancer?

Hello, I am 26, never pregnant, and never found any lumps before. Two weeks ago, I began to have a painful lump underneath my areola. At first I thought it was an ingrown hair, but it became swollen, red, painful, and hot to the touch. I also had painfully large swollen glands under both arms (first on the side of the breast lump). I also had a slight fever.

 

My doctor put me on an antibiotic, which seemed to help in terms of the fever and the glands, as well as the swelling in the breast. The antibiotics have now run their course, and the glands seem to have almost completely returned to normal, and the inflammation in the breast went away. However, I still do have a non-painful lump under the areola. In addition, I have been feeling quite run down lately.

 

My ultrasound didn't show anything - the radiologist said that nothing came up at all, and he told me that it was likely an abscess and that I shouldn't worry. My doctor seems to be concerned, though,  and told me that since the lump was still there, I will likely need to see a specialist. My question is: is it possible to have a breast infection and something else (cyst, cancer, etc.?) because it seems that my condition was caused at least in part by an infection since the antibiotics helped a lot?  I have tried searching online and I haven't found the same combination of symptoms all in once place!  I am starting to get really nervous :(

 

Thanks.

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Answers (1)
PJ Hamel, Health Guide
7/19/09 9:39pm

Hi - Sounds to me like you had quite an infection going there. I'm glad the antibiotics cleared it up. As for the lump, it could be a painful cyst (which would show up clear on an ultrasound); it could be fibrocystic change, which means it could be a fibroadenoma, a non-cancerous tumor. It could indeed be an abscess, or even scar tissue from an abscess. At any rate, I think it's a good idea to see a breast specialist, just to determine if you can simply wait and see if it goes away, or if you should have more tests. At your age, breast cancer isn't unheard of, but extremely unlikely (about 1 in 1,837); it's much more likely you have a cyst or fibrocystic change. So please try not to worry. But do continue to follow up. Good luck - PJH

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7/19/09 9:47pm

Thank you so much for your response - it made me feel much better!  I am seeing the doctor again next week, but I am wondering what I should expect if/when I see the breast surgeon.

 

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PJ Hamel, Health Guide
7/20/09 8:29am

Well, I'm not sure why you'd see a surgeon... If you're referred for a biopsy, then that would be done by a radiologist. Take it one step at a time, OK? Smile PJH

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7/20/09 8:47pm

Thanks again!  My doctor told me that if it wasn't gone by my follow-up appointment (which is tomorrow) that she would send me to a breast surgeon.

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PJ Hamel, Health Guide
7/20/09 8:53pm

OK... Maybe she means she'll send you for a biopsy. Maybe, where you are, surgeons do biopsies? I guess you'll find out tomorrow, huh? Best of luck to you - hope you get this resolved soon. PJH

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7/24/09 10:14pm

Hi!  Just to update, the bump cleared up, so it was just an infection after all.  Thank you SO much for ou help:)

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PJ Hamel, Health Guide
7/25/09 5:19am

Oh, EXCELLENT! So glad to hear it. Now enjoy your weekend! PJH

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By NervousNelly— Last Modified: 12/24/10, First Published: 07/19/09