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

Yes. I do have dense breasts, and this lump is right in an area of dense tissue.

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I was so very lucky that I made appointment w/ a breast surgeon because I have dense tissue and had lumpectomy for DCIS. Do I always had a breast surgeon check up yearly. Mt thought was they are in the business of checking working with breasts. IF there is something there, they will feel it. My first appointment w/ this new breast surgeon (I had moved to a new state) said ‘your mammogram shows all is fine, bit you have dense tissue, let’s do a MRI and see what’s in there. Thank God, he was proactive , as that MRI showed my tumor, which the 3D mammogram did not. I ended up having a mastectomy, on one side, as there three areas, 2 biopsied and 1 couldn’t be got to. With my history and 2 small areas he recommended mastectomy. Again be persistent and talking to a surgeon will be helpful. Blessings to you.

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Sorry you are going through this. It is so very frustrating with most doctors. I got in the habit of asking, if it was a male doctor, if I was your wife, mother, daughter? Would you just say it's nothing don't worry about it???
My gynecologist used to prescribe my mammograms, before my DMX, maybe they could order an MRI for you. My cancer was ILC, also not detectable on imaging but doesn't form a lump. If you feel it, you need to keep going until somebody helps you. Best of luck to you, I hope your next doctor is 100% cooperative.

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@ilc67

Sorry you are going through this. It is so very frustrating with most doctors. I got in the habit of asking, if it was a male doctor, if I was your wife, mother, daughter? Would you just say it's nothing don't worry about it???
My gynecologist used to prescribe my mammograms, before my DMX, maybe they could order an MRI for you. My cancer was ILC, also not detectable on imaging but doesn't form a lump. If you feel it, you need to keep going until somebody helps you. Best of luck to you, I hope your next doctor is 100% cooperative.

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@ilc67 “ I got in the habit of asking, if it was a male doctor, if I was your wife, mother, daughter? Would you just say it's nothing don't worry about it???“
This is what I asked with the first radiologist I saw following my lumpectomy for DCIS. I theoretically did not have any cancer cells as the biopsy o had, actually got them, So when I had lumpectomy done, there was no cancer cells on any of the tissue. The answer my radiologist gave me was “that is not a fair question “. I told him it was a very fair question. He had recommended radiation 5 days a week for 7 weeks. I told him I theoretically did not have cancer. He response ‘That is the protocol’. Needless to say I did not stay with him. My surgeon recommended a radiologist in his team, I did not even have to ask him that question before he said ‘if you wee my wife, I would not have you do radiation’. I did not do radiation. The first year or so I second guessed my decision, but then knew it was the right decision, for me. I was 50 at the time.
Different doctor have different perspectives. Do your research and talk to them. Ask as many questions as you need You will come to a point knowing what is right for You.

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I just had my US this morning. It was negative again. I give the tech credit….it was not for lack of trying that nothing showed up. This time, though, the radiologist wrote, “Negative imaging should not deter further evaluation of clinically suspicious palpable findings”. So now I am clear with insurance to make an appointment with the surgeon I last saw 5 years ago for calcifications.

Thank you all for letting me hash this out.

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@ilc67

Sorry you are going through this. It is so very frustrating with most doctors. I got in the habit of asking, if it was a male doctor, if I was your wife, mother, daughter? Would you just say it's nothing don't worry about it???
My gynecologist used to prescribe my mammograms, before my DMX, maybe they could order an MRI for you. My cancer was ILC, also not detectable on imaging but doesn't form a lump. If you feel it, you need to keep going until somebody helps you. Best of luck to you, I hope your next doctor is 100% cooperative.

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Thank you! I just got off the phone with our insurance liaison. I told her it very well could be nothing, but I deserve to know that. She agreed, and is pushing through a surgeon visit. I’ve seen this Dr. before for calcifications, so she’s familiar with my file. .

I am so angry for all those women who don’t have resources to get their peace of mind. Why is this so difficult?

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@tracestew

I just had my US this morning. It was negative again. I give the tech credit….it was not for lack of trying that nothing showed up. This time, though, the radiologist wrote, “Negative imaging should not deter further evaluation of clinically suspicious palpable findings”. So now I am clear with insurance to make an appointment with the surgeon I last saw 5 years ago for calcifications.

Thank you all for letting me hash this out.

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@tracestew is this palpable lump in same area of calcification?

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@tracestew

Thank you! I just got off the phone with our insurance liaison. I told her it very well could be nothing, but I deserve to know that. She agreed, and is pushing through a surgeon visit. I’ve seen this Dr. before for calcifications, so she’s familiar with my file. .

I am so angry for all those women who don’t have resources to get their peace of mind. Why is this so difficult?

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Great question! The world is pink washed, even NFL players are wearing pink cleats this month. A billion dollar money making industry but the people suffering are still struggling to be taken seriously. There are some unbelievable doctors working really hard to change this. But I don't know if we'll see the difference in our lifetime. LBCA

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If it were me I would ask for an MRI. I they say no, I would go to a Dr at a cancer center. I'm not in the medical field, but I would want to know what is this lump that hurts. Hugs

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@sequoia

@tracestew is this palpable lump in same area of calcification?

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No. The lump is at 4 o’clock and calcifications were at 11. Same breast, though.

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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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