1. < Breast Cancer

Palpable Lump not visible on scans..what now?

Posted by tracestew @tracestew, Oct 2, 2023

Hello. I have a lump that was felt in 2022, right before my regular mammogram. I felt it, the tech felt it. It didn’t show up on the mammogram. I was called back for an ultrasound. The tech felt the lump. Again, it didn’t show. I basically got a pat on the head, and sent on my way.

This June, I became aware of a radiating pain in my breast. When I felt around for the source, I landed on that lump. It had grown. So, I made note to mention at my mammogram last Friday. Again, it didn’t show up. Report says, I could have a targeted US, but nothing is there. Breast is “clear”

I just spoke with my GP’s office who said that nothing can be done if nothing shows on the scans. There is a lump! I’m trying not be snippy to these people, but surely they understand how ludicrous this sounds?
Can I ask if anyone has any advice for me on how to proceed? I really need resolution on what this lump is.

Thank you.
Trace

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tracestew | @tracestew | Jan 21 12:19pm
In reply to @jennakane88 "Was there ever an update to this? Going through the same thing. Lump on R Breast,..." + (show)
@jennakane88

Was there ever an update to this? Going through the same thing. Lump on R Breast, mammogram and US shows nothing. Next step is MRI. Lump is about 2x3” and appeared after my Breast Reduction Durgery in May 2024 a few months later

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I didn’t update. Had a MRI, and still nothing showed. It was determined to be a ridge of thickened tissue. I was told to watch it, continue with mammograms, and if it changes again to return.

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1 reply
jennakane88 | @jennakane88 | Jan 21 12:53pm
In reply to @roch "@jennakane88 Welcome to Mayo Connect. I am glad you are getting it checked out. I had..." + (show)
@roch

@jennakane88
Welcome to Mayo Connect. I am glad you are getting it checked out. I had breast cancer surgery - lumpectomy and have had a couple false alarms, but always had checked out to be safe. After scans, it was determined to be scar tissue from surgery or normal thickening or ridge of firm tissue under the lower curve of the breast. Hope everything comes back OK.

When is your MRI scheduled for?

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Thank you! The MRI is in prior authorization right now. Coincidentally I have another MRI in prior authorization too right now because of a spot on my liver that’s grown slightly. I had a scan of my kidney stone in the ER and they saw the spot on my liver in that scan. Went to my regular Dr for a checkup and finally mentioned the hard spot on my breast. I have pretty good insurance so I believe it will approved and hopefully I’ll hear this week on when the MRI will be for the breast. The MRI for my liver will be a separate MRI. Can’t do both at once. Thank you for the fast reply as well, I hope you are doing ok!

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jennakane88 | @jennakane88 | Jan 21 12:54pm
In reply to @tracestew "I didn’t update. Had a MRI, and still nothing showed. It was determined to be a..." + (show)
@tracestew

I didn’t update. Had a MRI, and still nothing showed. It was determined to be a ridge of thickened tissue. I was told to watch it, continue with mammograms, and if it changes again to return.

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Thank you for the update! I appreciate it

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kakc19 | @kakc19 | Jan 22 6:47am
In reply to @jennakane88 "Was there ever an update to this? Going through the same thing. Lump on R Breast,..." + (show)
@jennakane88

Was there ever an update to this? Going through the same thing. Lump on R Breast, mammogram and US shows nothing. Next step is MRI. Lump is about 2x3” and appeared after my Breast Reduction Durgery in May 2024 a few months later

Jump to this post

Have had yearly MRI of breasts. Found mass on MRI. Unable to see on ultrasound (although found another mass on US which they biopsied)
Then had biopsy that was MRI guided- biopsy was positive for
cancer.
May help if you have dense breasts, multiple biopsies, family history to take part in preventative breast cancer clinic At a major hospital. BWH and MGH in Boston both offer clinics.

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1 reply
jennakane88 | @jennakane88 | Jan 22 7:46am
In reply to @kakc19 "Have had yearly MRI of breasts. Found mass on MRI. Unable to see on ultrasound (although..." + (show)
@kakc19

Have had yearly MRI of breasts. Found mass on MRI. Unable to see on ultrasound (although found another mass on US which they biopsied)
Then had biopsy that was MRI guided- biopsy was positive for
cancer.
May help if you have dense breasts, multiple biopsies, family history to take part in preventative breast cancer clinic At a major hospital. BWH and MGH in Boston both offer clinics.

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Thank you for the reply! I hope you are doing well. I had very large breasts and had a reduction on 5/21/24. My Mother had Triple Negative Breast Cancer and has been in remission for almost 13 years. I had a hard recovery after the surgery and the lump was found August or September 2024 as I was finally able to feel the breast. It was numb and swollen for the longest time. Left breast healed nicely. I chalked the lump to scar tissue or a hematoma hoping it would go away. It’s large, in the surface like 3”x2” crazy they can’t find ANYTHING on it in mammogram or ultrasound, so of course I’m worried now.

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1 reply
kakc19 | @kakc19 | Jan 22 11:56am
In reply to @jennakane88 "Thank you for the reply! I hope you are doing well. I had very large breasts..." + (show)
@jennakane88

Thank you for the reply! I hope you are doing well. I had very large breasts and had a reduction on 5/21/24. My Mother had Triple Negative Breast Cancer and has been in remission for almost 13 years. I had a hard recovery after the surgery and the lump was found August or September 2024 as I was finally able to feel the breast. It was numb and swollen for the longest time. Left breast healed nicely. I chalked the lump to scar tissue or a hematoma hoping it would go away. It’s large, in the surface like 3”x2” crazy they can’t find ANYTHING on it in mammogram or ultrasound, so of course I’m worried now.

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Advocate for MRI.
Mine was only seen on MRI-not US or MAMMO. Best of luck☘️

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jennakane88 | @jennakane88 | Jan 22 12:36pm

Thank you. I have pretty good faith that the Prior Authorization will go through.

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skymend93 | @skymend93 | Mar 20 8:27pm
In reply to @auntieoakley "@tracestew I am going to chime in and agree with the surgeon recommendation. Most of the..." + (show)
@auntieoakley

@tracestew I am going to chime in and agree with the surgeon recommendation. Most of the time you cannot get in to an oncologist without a diagnosis, but a surgeon should be easier.
I had a walnut sticking out from my chest wall that came back nothing on a scan. My surgeon said you can feel it, and I can feel it, let’s take it out and get it under a microscope.
Sure enough, really aggressive, er+ her2+ breast cancer. This was before herceptin was even approved for front line therapy, so if I had taken “no” for an answer or my surgeon hadn’t been on top of this, I shudder to think how fast this thing would have taken over.
Hint; snippy never helps, but sometimes begging does, even if it is insincere. It is sad that we have to do that but……needs must.
Has your doctor felt this lump? I know you said the tech did, but has any doctor felt it?

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Hey can I ask where your lump was exactly? & was it a painless lump?
I have one that seems like it’s in my chest wall. Walnut size is perfect description and I can visibly see it but it’s not coming up on mammogram because of it’s location, it’s not even in the machine.

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1 reply
Mentor
Chris, Volunteer Mentor | @auntieoakley | Mar 20 10:33pm
In reply to @skymend93 "Hey can I ask where your lump was exactly? & was it a painless lump? I..." + (show)
@skymend93

Hey can I ask where your lump was exactly? & was it a painless lump?
I have one that seems like it’s in my chest wall. Walnut size is perfect description and I can visibly see it but it’s not coming up on mammogram because of it’s location, it’s not even in the machine.

Jump to this post

Mine was anchored to my chest wall. If you count down to the third rib from the clavicle just beside the sternum.
It kind of felt like a bruise, which is what I thought it was at first. I am kind of a rough and tumble person and a lump and a bruise might be anywhere. I kind of forgot about it until it got considerably larger.
If you believe something is there and you can see it and the doctor can see it, you should be able to request a biopsy.
Is it painful? How long have you had this?

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1 reply
skymend93 | @skymend93 | Mar 21 12:39am
In reply to @auntieoakley "Mine was anchored to my chest wall. If you count down to the third rib from..." + (show)
@auntieoakley

Mine was anchored to my chest wall. If you count down to the third rib from the clavicle just beside the sternum.
It kind of felt like a bruise, which is what I thought it was at first. I am kind of a rough and tumble person and a lump and a bruise might be anywhere. I kind of forgot about it until it got considerably larger.
If you believe something is there and you can see it and the doctor can see it, you should be able to request a biopsy.
Is it painful? How long have you had this?

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I found it almost 6 months ago, it was probably a dime size before and more of a quarter now but a bit more oval shape or elongated. I wouldn’t say painful, maybe tender if pushed on? But it’s pretty visible if I wear a V neck top or tank top.
So asking for a biopsy would be my next step? How hard is that usually to get?
I have a history of breast cancer in my family as well but because I’m only 31 and breastfeeding everyone’s brushing it off as breastfeeding related. This is my 4th breastfed baby and I’ve been in the hospital for mastitis before. This isn’t even close to my milk ducts 🤦🏽‍♀️

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