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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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Sue Ellen Murrey | @semurrey | Oct 19, 2023
In reply to @tracestew "Saw the surgeon this afternoon. She felt the lump. She said it was a fatty lump..." + (show)
@tracestew

Saw the surgeon this afternoon. She felt the lump. She said it was a fatty lump under some dense tissue. She told me it was fat and shouldn’t hurt. I should take Tylenol and come back in 6 months if it changes. I felt dismissed, and she really made me feel as if I should just let this go. I’ve read the statistics. But I’ve also heard your stories. Where should I go next?

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Thinking of you and I really think you should advocate for an MRI. I have very dense breasts and while I do not have regular MRI's as my lobular cancer was partially discovered on a mammo, the MRI I had pre surgery showed it to be larger as it was hidden behind a very large cyst. Keep us posted..xoxo

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cashemire | @cashemire | Oct 19, 2023
In reply to @tracestew "Saw the surgeon this afternoon. She felt the lump. She said it was a fatty lump..." + (show)
@tracestew

Saw the surgeon this afternoon. She felt the lump. She said it was a fatty lump under some dense tissue. She told me it was fat and shouldn’t hurt. I should take Tylenol and come back in 6 months if it changes. I felt dismissed, and she really made me feel as if I should just let this go. I’ve read the statistics. But I’ve also heard your stories. Where should I go next?

Jump to this post

how can they know for sure w/out biopsy? Did surgeon explain how she can have that certitude?my worries about pain in breast were dismissed since nothing showed on mammo and i had to keep going to drs and insisting sthing was wrong
Indeed, US detected lump and biopsy showed cancer but wasted about 3-4 mos. I suggest you insist on biopsy.

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1 reply
tracestew | @tracestew | Oct 19, 2023
In reply to @cashemire "how can they know for sure w/out biopsy? Did surgeon explain how she can have that..." + (show)
@cashemire

how can they know for sure w/out biopsy? Did surgeon explain how she can have that certitude?my worries about pain in breast were dismissed since nothing showed on mammo and i had to keep going to drs and insisting sthing was wrong
Indeed, US detected lump and biopsy showed cancer but wasted about 3-4 mos. I suggest you insist on biopsy.

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Exactly my question. I've been googling all morning whether or not it's possible to tell, and no, she didn't explain to me how she could tell that it was a fatty lump when she palpated it. It's hard, not squishy. And my breast aches, which, according to her, it shouldn't. What she said was nothing shows on any of the scans, so it's breast tissue. It feels hard because it's behind dense tissue. Take Tylenol. I walked out of there feeling like I'm a hypochondriac because I have pain and "shouldn't." But, if I felt with 100% degree of certainty that she was correct and could tell, I would not worry. I just don't.

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2 replies
cashemire | @cashemire | Oct 19, 2023
In reply to @tracestew "Exactly my question. I've been googling all morning whether or not it's possible to tell, and..." + (show)
@tracestew

Exactly my question. I've been googling all morning whether or not it's possible to tell, and no, she didn't explain to me how she could tell that it was a fatty lump when she palpated it. It's hard, not squishy. And my breast aches, which, according to her, it shouldn't. What she said was nothing shows on any of the scans, so it's breast tissue. It feels hard because it's behind dense tissue. Take Tylenol. I walked out of there feeling like I'm a hypochondriac because I have pain and "shouldn't." But, if I felt with 100% degree of certainty that she was correct and could tell, I would not worry. I just don't.

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Just to follow up: My biospy revealed nerve involvement which I was told could explain the pain... I don't think pain should ever be ignored.

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katrina123 | @katrina123 | Oct 19, 2023

cashemire,
I agree with you. I had perineural invasion into a large nerve and my breast cancer really hurt. No one should ever be told that breast cancer is not painful.

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kimogi57 | @kimogi57 | Oct 21, 2023
In reply to @tracestew "Exactly my question. I've been googling all morning whether or not it's possible to tell, and..." + (show)
@tracestew

Exactly my question. I've been googling all morning whether or not it's possible to tell, and no, she didn't explain to me how she could tell that it was a fatty lump when she palpated it. It's hard, not squishy. And my breast aches, which, according to her, it shouldn't. What she said was nothing shows on any of the scans, so it's breast tissue. It feels hard because it's behind dense tissue. Take Tylenol. I walked out of there feeling like I'm a hypochondriac because I have pain and "shouldn't." But, if I felt with 100% degree of certainty that she was correct and could tell, I would not worry. I just don't.

Jump to this post

I would go somewhere else for a second and than a third opinion if necessary. I started watching this today (I haven't finished but it was good). I believe one of the Dr's had a situation as you do, and it was C. https://youtu.be/4XOmuJYkMjc?feature=shared
If the link isn't good, it was called "The Doctor is in". A group of at least 4 Dr's discussing ILC. I wish you the best of luck and that it does turn out to be nothing.

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tracestew | @tracestew | Oct 22, 2023

This was so helpful! Thank you. I can tell you that I have had everything done but a biopsy, and it has never shown, either. I am headed back to my GP tomorrow to get a referral to another surgeon, and my GP is insisting on a biopsy.

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tracestew | @tracestew | Oct 24, 2023

I met with my GP yesterday. He’s referring me to Stanford to have the lump biopsied. He’s exasperated by the surgeon’s lack of response. He uses this Dr. often, and can’t understand why there wasn’t some effort made. He offered to stick a needle in it, but then decided we should have it removed after I explained to him that there has been some discharge for about a year. I assumed it was just menopause..apparently that’s common when BOTH breasts have discharge. Anyway…..
I have a question re: the next step….
How could this biopsy be done if this lump doesn’t show up on any scans? I’m reading about the stereotactic, which I had done, but that was US guided. Any insights welcome.
T

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