Hi. During a self breast exam I found a pea sized (maybe a little larger) lump right under the top portion of my areola on the right side. I had it checked by my family doctor who said it seemed like a small knot and that is all she said. She scheduled me for a mammogram. I am 38 and my mother died at age 58 of breast cancer. So, I am frightened/worried. Could this just be a cyst? It does not move and isn't really squishy but wouldn't say it was hard either. You can definitely see it when I have no bra on. Thanks. Also, after the mammorgram confirms it, then what?
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Q: Lump found under top portion of areola. Has anyone had this or have any information?
Answers (1)
2/ 7/12 8:05pm
I'm glad you're pursuing this; your family history makes it important for you to run down any breast change, now matter how small.
This doesn't sound like a cyst; a cyst would probably feel squishy (think grape) and be moveable. it might be a fibroadenoma, however, which is a benign tumor; they're quite common in women your age.
After your mammogram confirms there's a lump, your doctor will probably order first an ultrasound, to rule out (or confirm) that the lump is a cyst. if it's not a cyst, then you'll be scheduled for either an MRI, for a more detailed picture; or a biopsy, to find out if the lump is cancerous. But please don't panic; even if you get as far as a biopsy, about 85% of breast biopsies are negative; no cancer. So the odds are definitely in your favor here.
Best of luck to you as you go through this process. And if you have any questions, please come back - we're here to support you. PJH
2/ 7/12 9:04pm
Glad to help. By moveable, I mean you can squeeze it between your fingers, and kind of push it around; not all over the place, but you could move it. Again, think about what a grape under your skin would feel like; if you squeeze it, it would kind of slip out of your fingers and move a bit. If you're having a diagnostic mammogram, as you are 9rather than a routine screening mammogram), I'd think you'd get the results quickly; probably within 2-3 days. When you have the mammogram, tell them it's diagnostic, not screening; ask when you should here the results; and ask for a phone number or email to contact if you don't hear anything within the designated time period.
As for how long does the whole process take - well, that varies a lot. Personally, it took me about 3 weeks. And I'd think that's about the minimum - if you go through mammogram and ultrasound, then biopsy, you're dealing with full schedules, one department getting the results from the other, the biopsy going to the pathology lab and needing to be read, the return appointment, etc. So it does take time. But don't stress about that too much, OK? Understandably, you want to know what's going on; but the vast majority of breast cancers, if that's what it is (and as I said, odds are it's NOT), are very, very slow growing. A few weeks isn't going to make a difference in outcome.
Please stay in touch, if you're comfortable with that; I'd like to hear that you're OK. PJH
2/10/12 5:22pm
Hi there! Just wanted to let you know that I had my mammogram today. I was asked to go back in twice. The radiologist found something else but that was all the nurse could tell me. So all in all I took about 12 films of my right breast and three of the left. I then had an ultrasound done. The lady doing the ultrasound said nothing was popping out at her but she doesn't read them. She kept asking where my lump was. I showed her many times. It's still there. So when I got home there was a message from the doctors office but when I called back they were closed. I am not sure what that's all about. Hopefully I will hear something Monday or Tuesday. Thanks for your advice. It was very helpful today. Does this sound routine to you?
2/10/12 5:38pm
Thanks for staying in touch. This sounds like a typical process, yes. It also sounds like you'll be going back for more tests, unless a radiologist reads the ultrasound and decides it's a cyst; which could be what the message from the doctor's office was about. If not, they may want you to come back again - and this time it would probably mean a biopsy. But remember, about 85% of breast biopsies are negative, so please try not to stress too much about this, OK? It's all due diligence, and you're following exactly the right process - so keep pursuing this until you get an answer. Let us know what the doctor says, OK? Thanks - PJH
2/13/12 11:13am
Alright. I'm going for a biopsy tomorrow. The nurse could not answer any questions. Hopefully the surgeon will tomorrow. I just was the results of the mammogram or a copy of the report. I am not stressing too badly. Trying to keep busy. Do you know if a biopsy is with a needle or they cut it out or both? Thanks.
2/13/12 11:40am
Glad you're keeping it under control; stress and worry don't do anything but make you feel bad! Hard not to worry, though, I know... There are different types of biopsies; since you don't know which you'll be getting, I'd suggest you read our biopsy FAQS for a rundown of what might be in store for you... Best of luck - I hope you get good news. Let us know, OK?
2/14/12 4:42pm
Hello again. I met with the surgeon today. Thinking this was a biopsy-it was not. The surgeon said she read my mammogram and ultrasound and did not see anything suspicious-she didn't know what the radiologist was talking about. The lump I feel, she says, is normal tissue. That's great news. However, I asked for a copy of my reports. They read as follows:
Findings: (summary) no mass on palpable site-normal tissue; Within the upper outer quadrant of right breast is an area of clustered pleomorphic microcalcifications. I believe these are suspicious enough to warrant biopsy at this time, especially given family history of breast cancer.
Impression: suspicious microcalcification cluster upper outer quadrant right breast for which I would recommend biopsy to exclude malignancy; no abnormality at site of palpable abnormality.
Okay: so I know that pleomorphic is not something good. I should be happy about what the surgeon said, but now I just have more questions. Should I go for a second opinion? Is this normal for the radiologist to say one thing and the surgeon to say another?
Thank you.
2/14/12 8:17pm
It sounds like both your mammogram and the surgeon agree that the lump you feel is normal tissue. Where the radiologist and surgeon differ is on the issue of the microcalcifications. Pleomorphic calcifications means that the calcifications vary in shape. The radiologist thinks the shape and pattern of the calcification suggests the possibility of cancer. The surgeon does not think the mammogram is definitive enough to do a biopsy. Yes, doctors frequently disagree about the best course of action, especially with something like microcalcifications which are not a solid lump. I'm not a doctor, so I certainly wouldn't jump into a disagreement between specialists. If you have a good relationship with your primary care doctor, you might want to talk to him or her. Your doctor may know the personality of these doctors well enough to say whether the radiologist is always suggesting biopsies, even when the chance of cancer is very low. Or she may have some other information that would shed light on the issue.
You don't want a biopsy if you don't need one. It will leave scar tissue that could cause problems later. However, any possible problems from the biopsy are small compared to missing cancer. You need another medical opinion to reassure you that you are taking the best course of action.
2/14/12 8:44pm
The usual course of action here, with clustered microcalcifications, would be either a biopsy; or a series of mammograms, to see if the calcifications change. I'd suggest you might have the radiologist speak with your PCP, and between them they might agree on a schedule of every-6-month mammograms for a couple of years; if nothing changes, then the surgeon was right. If more appear, then you'd need a biopsy. You can't just ignore clustered microcalcifications; they can be a sign of early cancer or pre-cancer, so you have to either biopsy, or watch them. So speak with your PCP or, as Phyllis notes, get a second opinion. Take care- PJH
2/29/12 6:08pm
Hi PJ. I had my 2nd opinion today. I'm so glad I did. This doctor sat down with me and my husband and explained my mammogram results. Very nice. I am going for a biopsy next week and will find out on 3/15 my results. I feel better having this biopsy scheduled rather than waiting for who knows what. At least I will know one way or another and can move forward. As you know, it's been a very stressful time and I am doing my best to stay distracted. I will let you know the results when I find out. Thanks for your help!
2/29/12 7:20pm
Oh, that's good to hear. You always feel better after meeting with a doctor you feel "gets it." I'm glad you'll know what those microcalcificaitons are, one way or another, by mid-month. Thanks for checking back in - and please do let us know your biospy results. Take care - PJH
3/ 1/12 5:32am
I'm glad you decided to get a second opinion. I hope you get good news from your biopsy. Let us know what happens.
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Thank you for your response. It helps a lot. The doctor I saw was in a rush and had no time for my questions. Hopefully she will at the next visit. I have three more questions, if you don't mind. When you say a cyst is moveable, so you mean it travels throughout your breast- my lump is in the same spot it was when I found it and does not go anywhere when I push on it (I know it probably sounds obvious). 2nd: how long typically after a mammogram do you get the results or does the doctor contact you? 3rd: how long typically does all of this take until you find out if it is malignant or benign? Thank you.