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February 10, 2012

Viewer Comments: Breast Lumps In Women - How Was Diagnosis Established

Viewer Comments & Reviews

Breast Lumps In Women - How Was Diagnosis Established

The eMedicineHealth physician editors ask:

Please describe the diagnosis of the breast lumps in your breast(s).

Anonymously share your comment to help others.Patient Discussions FAQs

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Comment from: halesmom, 45-54 Female (Patient) Published: September 10

I am a 53-year-old, recently menopausal woman, who was diagnosed with cellulitis of the right breast four weeks ago. I took antibiotics for 20 days and all signs of infection had disappeared six or seven days before I finished the medicine. I was left with a hard lump, which does not move and does not hurt. Both ultrasounds I have had do not suggest cancer, neither does the diagnostic mammogram. The mammo report says further testing is required; however, my doctor, a breast surgeon, has decided to wait another month because she says hard tissue can remain after an infection, and she thinks that is what this is. Basically, that means if the lump is still there in another month, I will finally get a biopsy and should it show something, I will have wasted nine weeks of treatment time because my lump isn't usual. To doctors who may read this: Don't torture your patients. If a lump is present without infection, or as in my case, if there is no reason for the infection, do a biopsy right away for the peace of mind it can bring. The Internet is full of stories of women who were assured from a mammogram and an ultrasound that they were fine.

Related Reading: cellulitis | antibiotics | mammogram

Comment from: suzieqqqqx, 45-54 Female (Patient) Published: September 10

I was diagnosed with breast cancer nine months after I was told I only had cysts. That hospital did not do a biopsy, only a mammogram and ultrasound. Nine months later I was referred by a different doctor to a different hospital that did lots of tests, a mammogram, an ultrasound, and a needle biopsy. I was told they found a total of seven tumors via the biopsy, and I would need to have my breast removed. I wonder if those seven tumors grew in the nine months that I was absent from that first hospital or if they were there previously but misdiagnosed as cysts.

Related Reading: breast cancer | ultrasound

Comment from: Bubbles, 55-64 Female (Patient) Published: January 24

I'm 60 years old and have recently been diagnosed with 1.5 cm mass on my right breast. I'm scheduled for a diagnostic mammogram and ultra sound on Monday. I have no pain and feel no mass. It was found when I had my mammogram. I'm not really scared it is the unknown that is the worst part. It has been a week since I was told I needed more testing. It is always in the back of your mine what if it is cancer. I guess I always thought that wouldn't happen to me. I work in the medical field but when it happens to you, it makes it real.

Comment from: mich1969, 35-44 Female (Patient) Published: December 27

I found a large hard pain full lump in my left breast. I also had pain under my arm and down the back of my arm. I went straight to my GP who put me on antibiotics and wanted me back in five. When I saw my GP again, she there and then phoned the surgeons at the hospital who wanted me in on the following morning at 09.30. This was all happening very quickly in the meantime the pain had gone from my breast my arm and under my arm but the lump is still there. After I saw the surgeons he sent me straight down to the breast clinic to see the consultant.

Comment from: Kelbel29, 25-34 Female (Patient) Published: October 04

I've had a lump in my left breast for quite a while I had it checked out at a breast clinic. It was dismissed by the doctor as I happened to be on my period at the time. It is now bigger and more painful and has made my left breast bigger than my right! Now the pain exists like this whether I'm on a period or not. I worry about going back to the doctor, but my sister tells me to not be afraid and not to stop until I get an answer and relief. So, I hear it's probably not cancer, and I know it can be a variety of other things like a breast infection... I think I'm going to see a different doctor just to be sure.

Related Reading: breast infection

Comment from: Help, 35-44 Female (Patient) Published: August 29

I found a lump in my breast and went to the emergency room, and I told them that it was very painful and the lump got big over night. The stated to me that I have Fibrocystic Breast Disease, and there is nothing that they can do for me at this time. I must get a mammogram

Comment from: Juls, 45-54 Female (Patient) Published: March 15

I had a very large mass in my right breast with 3 more behind that I can feel. I went to my doctor on and she believes it to be mastitis. I am on large doses of an antibiotic and I am worried. After self exam the spot is indented? My doctor said we will try this med for 10 days to see if it will kill off the infection.

Comment from: ddelwood51@aol.com, 55-64 Female (Patient) Published: November 01

I found a lump in my right breast about 2 months ago. Knowing I was due for a mammogram next month I waited. I reported the lump which was not picked up on the mammogram. This is the 5th breast lump I have caught BEFORE the mammogram ever has! I had an ultra sound and the radiologist said he did not like the looks of it, it wasn't a cyst and it was somewhat jagged and the size of a lima bean. He suspects cancer or something in a gray area? I have an appointment with a surgeon on Tuesday. EEK! Four of my lumps were cysts but one was a tumor yet benign. This time the lump is a bit painful which is new to me. I have extremely dense fibrous breasts that get worse each year. It is getting harder and harder for them to see anything but black. Good luck to all of you, wish me luck as well.

Related Reading: cyst

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Viewer Comments & Reviews

Breast Lumps In Women - Cause

The eMedicineHealth physician editors ask:

What was the underlying cause of your breast lumps?



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Women's Health

Find out what women really need.



Breast Lumps and Pain

Mammogram Introduction

A mammogram is a special x-ray examination of the breast made with specific x-ray equipment that can often find tumors too small to be felt. A mammogram is the best radiographic method available today to detect breast cancer early. It is ideal and indispensable for women older than 40 years, for whom theĀrisk of breast cancer is increased.

A woman may experience significant distress, anxiety, and fear associated with the mammogram and with the prospect of discovering a tumor. Be reassured that the procedure itself is relatively simple. Most breast disorders are not cancer, and even in the remaining number of cancer cases, more than 90% are curable, if detected early and promptly treated.

Although mammograms, like many other medical tests, are not 100% accurate, scheduling a regular mammogram represents the best radiological way to find breast changes early before there are any obvious signs or symptoms of cancer. Several studies show that ma...

Read the Mammogram article »


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