three smooth edged masses

merrysmom
merrysmom Member Posts: 51
in Breast Cancer #1
I would appreciate any advice from anyone on this site. I am coming from the colorectal site as I have been through colorectal cancer. I have three smooth edged masses in my left breast which are being watched but not biopsied as the docs are afraid to do a biopsy as I have bleeding issues also. The masses have increased in size the last two mammograms. I have had two lumpectomys (sp) on the left side which proved to be an infected lymph node and calcifications. Should I push for biosy? Has anyone had breast cancer that was smooth edged? Any information would be appreciated. My onc told me if I had breast cancer I would have been dead by now so don't worry about it. Thank you for any information or advice.
barb
«1

Comments

  • BetsyJane
    BetsyJane Member Posts: 127
    #2
    I had one lump - football shaped - it grew fast
    If it were me, I would at least have them perform a needle biopsy. This procedure is the least invasive and is performed right in the doctors office. The results only take a day or so to get back. I had this procedure done. Turns out it was cancerous. My lump grew fast too. But surgery was scheduled within two weeks of my biopsy. Good luck and many prayers.

    Betsy
  • VickiSam
    VickiSam Member Posts: 9,079 Member
    #3
    BetsyJane said:

    I had one lump - football shaped - it grew fast
    If it were me, I would at least have them perform a needle biopsy. This procedure is the least invasive and is performed right in the doctors office. The results only take a day or so to get back. I had this procedure done. Turns out it was cancerous. My lump grew fast too. But surgery was scheduled within two weeks of my biopsy. Good luck and many prayers.

    Betsy

    Please get a 2nd opinion .. if possible, and
    health insurance permitting .. Your health is too important ... for the 'let's wait and see' attitude.

    Just my 2 cents.

    Strength, Courage and Hope.

    Vicki Sam
  • merrysmom
    merrysmom Member Posts: 51
    #4
    VickiSam said:

    Please get a 2nd opinion .. if possible, and
    health insurance permitting .. Your health is too important ... for the 'let's wait and see' attitude.

    Just my 2 cents.

    Strength, Courage and Hope.

    Vicki Sam

    thank you
    thankyou for responding. i am going in on the 24th for mammo and ultrasound. i am curious as to what they are going to say to me this time. barb
  • VickiSam
    VickiSam Member Posts: 9,079 Member
    #5
    merrysmom said:

    thank you
    thankyou for responding. i am going in on the 24th for mammo and ultrasound. i am curious as to what they are going to say to me this time. barb

    Miss Barb ..
    Good luck, as well as prayers going out to you. Please let us know
    what happens, okay.

    Strength, Courage and Hope.
    Vicki Sam
  • SIROD
    SIROD Member Posts: 2,194 Member
    #6
    PET Scan, MRI?
    Why not do a PET scan first? If it lights up, it's cancer. That would seem to be the least invasive test you could do.

    That is a weird comment your oncologist made. You could have a slow growing cancer and still be very much alive.

    I have read that some have breast MRI. I don't know much about these, I never had one for my breast.
    I have had MRI's for other problems but not breast. It isn't invasive either.

    Best to you,

    Doris
  • Rague
    Rague Member Posts: 3,653 Member
    #7
    merrysmom said:

    thank you
    thankyou for responding. i am going in on the 24th for mammo and ultrasound. i am curious as to what they are going to say to me this time. barb

    Ask the radiologist
    When you go for your mammo and US, ask to speak with the Radiologist, not just the Techs. Ask about a needle biopsy. It is not very invasive - just a fairly large bore needle and can be done right there at the center while you are still there and results can be done by the next morning. I saw my PA at 11, she had me at the Radiologist at 1 for a mammo, they decided a sono was needed. Dr came in and said biospy was needed then. He used pain killer in the area (putting that in hurt more than the biospy did). He called me the next morning with the results IBC and then things got busy.

    I would definately be asking question and possibly/probably insist on a second opinion in this case.

    Susan
  • Rague
    Rague Member Posts: 3,653 Member
    #8
    SIROD said:

    PET Scan, MRI?
    Why not do a PET scan first? If it lights up, it's cancer. That would seem to be the least invasive test you could do.

    That is a weird comment your oncologist made. You could have a slow growing cancer and still be very much alive.

    I have read that some have breast MRI. I don't know much about these, I never had one for my breast.
    I have had MRI's for other problems but not breast. It isn't invasive either.

    Best to you,

    Doris

    Not every thing that lights up is cancer.
    Not everything that lights up on a PET scan is cancer. If it lights up, then needs to be biospied but all are not cancer. My PET lit up along my lower jaw - it was biopsied 2 days later and there was nothing there.

    Susan
  • Ritzy
    Ritzy Member Posts: 4,381 Member
    #9
    VickiSam said:

    Please get a 2nd opinion .. if possible, and
    health insurance permitting .. Your health is too important ... for the 'let's wait and see' attitude.

    Just my 2 cents.

    Strength, Courage and Hope.

    Vicki Sam

    I'd request a needle biopsy
    Barb, I would really push for a needle biopsy if I were you, if they can do one. It's better to be safe than sorry.

    And like Vicki Sam said, get a 2nd opinion if you can. I really think that a biopsy would be the proper protocol here to rule out bc, but, that is just my opinion.


    Good luck and keep us updated,


    Sue :)
  • cinnamonsmile
    cinnamonsmile Member Posts: 1,187 Member
    #10
    I saw a doctor covering for
    I saw a doctor covering for my doctor when I found my lump. He said, don't worry, yours is smooth, no finger like projections like cancer has. Turns out DCIS lumps, milk duct cancer, will be smooth and roundish or ovalish because it grows within the milk ducts. So much for his expert opinion!
    If I were in your shoes, I would want to get it checked out. The last thing I would want is for breast cancer to be growing while they wait and see.

    As far as your onc saying if you had breast cancer, you'd be dead by now, I call that horse pucky. There are very slow growing cancers out there. My breakfast sausage size lump was filled with cancer and precancer. If they are increasing in size, I think a second opinion is definitely in order!

    Please keep us informed and keep asking us questions, we would love to help you.
  • SIROD
    SIROD Member Posts: 2,194 Member
    #11
    Rague said:

    Not every thing that lights up is cancer.
    Not everything that lights up on a PET scan is cancer. If it lights up, then needs to be biospied but all are not cancer. My PET lit up along my lower jaw - it was biopsied 2 days later and there was nothing there.

    Susan

    For Susan - False Positives
    That is true Susan, all test can have false positives. I seem to remember for my own experience that PET was excellent on finding cancer in soft tissue, such as lungs, breast, liver and other organs. I am not certain that it is 100% on bones.

    At any rate, I threw it out. She should be guided by her oncologist or doctor.

    Best,

    Doris
  • merrysmom
    merrysmom Member Posts: 51
    #12
    cinnamonsmile said:

    I saw a doctor covering for
    I saw a doctor covering for my doctor when I found my lump. He said, don't worry, yours is smooth, no finger like projections like cancer has. Turns out DCIS lumps, milk duct cancer, will be smooth and roundish or ovalish because it grows within the milk ducts. So much for his expert opinion!
    If I were in your shoes, I would want to get it checked out. The last thing I would want is for breast cancer to be growing while they wait and see.

    As far as your onc saying if you had breast cancer, you'd be dead by now, I call that horse pucky. There are very slow growing cancers out there. My breakfast sausage size lump was filled with cancer and precancer. If they are increasing in size, I think a second opinion is definitely in order!

    Please keep us informed and keep asking us questions, we would love to help you.

    i want to say thank you to all of you
    All of your comments and caring mean the world to me. i have changed my onc after my last surgery about a month ago. i wound up having emergency surgery as 3 masses were found in my gall bladder. my onc sat me down and told me before the surgery that they thought i had either gall bladder cancer or pancreatic cancer. she told me that it would be hard to treat and i would probably not survive it. the surgeon that did the surgery told me to get a new onc. i have had a lot of worries in the last couple of months so I am so glad to hear from all of you. thank you and god bless you all. i will keep u all in my prayers and let u know what is found on the 24th. barb
  • carkris
    carkris Member Posts: 4,553 Member
    #13
    merrysmom said:

    i want to say thank you to all of you
    All of your comments and caring mean the world to me. i have changed my onc after my last surgery about a month ago. i wound up having emergency surgery as 3 masses were found in my gall bladder. my onc sat me down and told me before the surgery that they thought i had either gall bladder cancer or pancreatic cancer. she told me that it would be hard to treat and i would probably not survive it. the surgeon that did the surgery told me to get a new onc. i have had a lot of worries in the last couple of months so I am so glad to hear from all of you. thank you and god bless you all. i will keep u all in my prayers and let u know what is found on the 24th. barb

    i believe anything
    i believe anything suspicious should be investigated. At least with imaging , but biopsies are definative. My first one was round smooth and did not look like cancer, so said my breast surgeon, it was. I am hoping yours is not, but good to have them checked.
  • Rague
    Rague Member Posts: 3,653 Member
    #14
    SIROD said:

    For Susan - False Positives
    That is true Susan, all test can have false positives. I seem to remember for my own experience that PET was excellent on finding cancer in soft tissue, such as lungs, breast, liver and other organs. I am not certain that it is 100% on bones.

    At any rate, I threw it out. She should be guided by her oncologist or doctor.

    Best,

    Doris

    "If it lights up, it's
    "If it lights up, it's cancer." Yes - very often that is true but it is not an absolute fact. She does need to be guided by her Drs but to make the statement "If it lights up, it's cancer." is not a fact in all cases. Further checking needs to be done.

    Susan
  • mom62
    mom62 Member Posts: 604 Member
    #15
    JMO
    Barb,

    If it's one thing I have learned during my journey it's you have to be your own advocate. I don't like the put it off attitude of your oncologist. That is strange to me, especially since it is growing. I would tell him you want a biopsy but that is just my opinion. Better to know either way then keep you guessing and worrying about it. Don't settle tell him what you want.

    Terry
  • Angie2U
    Angie2U Member Posts: 2,991
    #16
    carkris said:

    i believe anything
    i believe anything suspicious should be investigated. At least with imaging , but biopsies are definative. My first one was round smooth and did not look like cancer, so said my breast surgeon, it was. I am hoping yours is not, but good to have them checked.

    I am going to hope that you
    I am going to hope that you will get this biopsied as soon as you can. This isn't something that you should just wait and see. I am actually shocked by what your oncologist says. I think I'd be looking for a new one right now. Keep us posted and good luck!


    Hugs, Angie
  • butterflylvr
    butterflylvr Member Posts: 944
    #17
    mom62 said:

    JMO
    Barb,

    If it's one thing I have learned during my journey it's you have to be your own advocate. I don't like the put it off attitude of your oncologist. That is strange to me, especially since it is growing. I would tell him you want a biopsy but that is just my opinion. Better to know either way then keep you guessing and worrying about it. Don't settle tell him what you want.

    Terry

    Barb,
    It looks like the other girls gave you some sound advice. I'm glad your surgeon told you to find a new oncologist. It didn't sound like yours was up for the challenge. Please keep us up to date on your findings, we definitely welcome all our pinks with open arms. Let us support and/or comfort you along your journey.

    Hugs and best wishes,
    Lorrie
  • Kylez
    Kylez Member Posts: 3,761 Member
    #18
    mom62 said:

    JMO
    Barb,

    If it's one thing I have learned during my journey it's you have to be your own advocate. I don't like the put it off attitude of your oncologist. That is strange to me, especially since it is growing. I would tell him you want a biopsy but that is just my opinion. Better to know either way then keep you guessing and worrying about it. Don't settle tell him what you want.

    Terry

    I tend to agree that I don't
    I tend to agree that I don't like your doctor's attitude either. I have never known an oncologist to put off testing someone. It makes no sense and isn't good. I don't want to scare you, but, you really shouldn't wait. Please get a new doctor and get the good care that you deserve.


    Hugs, Kylez
  • Ritzy
    Ritzy Member Posts: 4,381 Member
    #19
    merrysmom said:

    i want to say thank you to all of you
    All of your comments and caring mean the world to me. i have changed my onc after my last surgery about a month ago. i wound up having emergency surgery as 3 masses were found in my gall bladder. my onc sat me down and told me before the surgery that they thought i had either gall bladder cancer or pancreatic cancer. she told me that it would be hard to treat and i would probably not survive it. the surgeon that did the surgery told me to get a new onc. i have had a lot of worries in the last couple of months so I am so glad to hear from all of you. thank you and god bless you all. i will keep u all in my prayers and let u know what is found on the 24th. barb

    The 24th seems so far away
    The 24th seems so far away Barb. I really wish you would see if you can get in sooner. We all are praying for you!


    Sue :)
  • merrysmom
    merrysmom Member Posts: 51
    #20
    Kylez said:

    I tend to agree that I don't
    I tend to agree that I don't like your doctor's attitude either. I have never known an oncologist to put off testing someone. It makes no sense and isn't good. I don't want to scare you, but, you really shouldn't wait. Please get a new doctor and get the good care that you deserve.


    Hugs, Kylez

    u r all amazing
    i wish i could hug each and every one of you. thank u for all of your caring. i will let u all know what i hear . god bless to all of u, barb
  • jnl
    jnl Member Posts: 3,869 Member
    #21
    merrysmom said:

    u r all amazing
    i wish i could hug each and every one of you. thank u for all of your caring. i will let u all know what i hear . god bless to all of u, barb

    I am sending you a cyber hug
    I am sending you a cyber hug and the best of luck on the 24th Barb!


    Love, Leeza

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