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Q: I had pain in my breast where I found a lump and had a red mark.I was given an antibiotic and had a "clear" mammo/ultrasound.The lump and pain disappeared after the mammo but red mark is still here.
It sounds like the mammogram may have squeezed a painful cyst, and "burst" it - allowing it to drain. That's pure conjecture on my part, but would explain why a mammogram would "see" a mass, but an ultrasound 10 minutes later might not.
Since the doctor thinks the redness isn't anything to worry about, you have two choices: don't worry about it; or get a second opinion, which never hurts. Your GP can recommend a breast specialist for you, if you think getting another opinion would help lower your stress level. Good luck - PJH
Another reason that a feature seen on one test might not be seen on another test ten minutes later is that each imaging test sees in its own way. Although it would be unusual for a lump to show on a mammogram and not an ultrasound, depending on how deep the lump was and the density of your breasts, it could happen. My main issue about whether you need to got a second opinion would be how long you have had these symptoms and how long it has been since the antibiotic. If your symptoms improved with the antibiotic, then it is unlikely that you have cancer. If the antibiotic didn't help and if you have had this redness more than a month, then it might be worth checking back in with a doctor. A dermatologist might be the person to determine if the redness is some sort of skin problem that needs treatment. If you have just had all these tests done, why don't you wait a week or two and see if the problem subsides on its own?
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