Large lump = Breast cancer ???

[Growin'upDisney]

Hi everyone. I know there are plenty of people out there that are affected by breast cancer. I have a question I am hoping that someone can help me with.

My aunt discovered a lump a few months ago and it steadily increased in size. Due to unfortunate circumstances she did not have health insurance at the time and could not go and have it checked. She finally got insurance on Dec 1 and promptly saw the doctor right away. They, of course, sent her for a mammogram and sonagram and took over 20 pictures of the lump. They have determined it is the size of a lemon She sees the surgeon on Monday and has a biopsy scheduled on Dec 30th.

She went to pick up her X-rays yesterday to take to the surgeon and she asked the radioligist some questions. The radiologist said the mass seemed fairly solid. When she asked if this was good or bad he sort of shrugged and said its hard to tell but is probably a bad sign. Well this of course sent her into hysterics. She is so afraid of having breast cancer and truly regrets that she had to wait so long to see a doctor. Our family (including this aunt) has a long history of fibroids in both the breast and uterus areas, so we are all praying that this is what it is. but...

My questions are this:

1. Was the radiologist right to tell her this?
2. Does a solid mass indicate cancer as opposed to a mass with fluid?
3. Should she ask to move up the biopsy before the 30th? The wait is going to be too stressful for her I think.
4. Any suggestions?

Prayers and Pixie dust will help as well.

Thanks everyone for any information you can give.

 

[C.Ann]

All I can relate here is personal experience..

A number of years ago I had a lump in my breast - that was hard as a rock.. Because they couldn't do a needle biopsy they had to do the traditional - and it was benign..

One of my daughter's friends had a very, very large lump in her breast a few months ago - and I DO mean LARGE.. It too was benign..

I think the radiologist was out of line..

And yes - if it were me, I would do everything in my power to have the biopsy done sooner.. Waiting to find out if you have cancer is absolutely unbearable - not to mention cruel..

I will keep your aunt in my prayers..

C.Ann

 

[HOGFAN]

As a mammographer, i see this alot. Yes, the radiologist was out of line. No need to send someone into hysterics. A solid mass could be a fibroadenoma(benign). It could also be a "dirty cyst". Ultrasound machines can be fooled very easily. And yes, it could be a cancer, especially if it is getting bigger. If it is not tender, it is probably either a cancer or fibroadenoma. She could check into moving it up sooner, but i would bet that the surgical schedule is full already. Alot of people who have already met their deductible for this year try to get stuff in at the end of the year. Good luck to her.

 

[Lucky4me]

I had a cyst that looked like cancer. It wasn't.

 

[Disfan1]

No advice, just

 

[Mamu]

I had 2 solid mass's removed both were benign.

A girl friend has a lump and was told not to worry, she demanded a biopsy it came back positive. Can you image if she had listened to the doctor.

Sometimes they think they can tell by looking at the mammogram, whether or not it solid or attached, but until a biopsy is preformed it's only a guess.

I know you are suppose to put you trust in a doctor, but they sometimes make mistakes.

 

[DocRafiki]

Originally posted by HOGFAN
Yes, the radiologist was out of line. No need to send someone into hysterics.

Are you freaking kidding me???? What is she, a CHILD? Did she not ASK for an opinion? If all she wanted to hear was, "yeah, you'll be fine," she shouldn't have asked. God, you people are pathetic. Learn to take responsibility for yourself.

 

[Dan Murphy]

Just want to say my prayers and very best are with your aunt as she goes through this. Always nerve wracking. Hoping all turns out fine.

Dan

 

[dumboiu]

Originally posted by DocRafiki
Are you freaking kidding me???? What is she, a CHILD? Did she not ASK for an opinion? If all she wanted to hear was, "yeah, you'll be fine," she shouldn't have asked. God, you people are pathetic. Learn to take responsibility for yourself.

MAYBE...JUST MAYBE...SHE WAS JUST LOOKING FOR SOME REASSURANCE......HAVE YOU CONSIDERED THAT, DocRafiki?????

 

[Serena]

My thoughts and prayers for your mom. I hope she gets good news.

 

[ToriLammy]

Originally posted by dumboiu
MAYBE...JUST MAYBE...SHE WAS JUST LOOKING FOR SOME REASSURANCE......HAVE YOU CONSIDERED THAT, DocRafiki?????

Reassurance or lies? How can you reassure someone when you don't have the answers? I kind of gotta go with Doc on this. The patient should not have pressed for an answer from someone who was not her doctor, it's kind of unfair to the radiologist to put him on a spot like that. Granted he should have just said "you need to talk to your doctor" but we don't know how she asked him the question, whether he tried to not answer or not.

I sincerely hope that everything goes well with the OPs Aunt and that it's just a benign lump. I would if I were the Aunt insist on a biopsy before Dec 30th, if just for peace of mind.

 

[2bemarried]

I had a lump back in May and had it removed in August. Two different radiologists looked at my ultrasounds and mammograms and disagreed on what it was...so you really can't depend on their answers. It's up to the doctor to decide and even then...I'd still have it removed. As for having the biopsy earlier than the 30th....I'll wish her luck but it's highly unlikely.

Prayers and PD for your family!

 

[minniecarousel]

As a former mammographer (I used to perform them back in the dark ages - when we used sturdy balloons as compression) I believe that Hogfan was replying as a mammographer, and she's right, the radiologist shouldn't have said anything! Most radiologists WON'T say anything, not knowing the patient or their history.
On the other hand, my Mom and I get our mammograms from the same facility. But she has them taken at the hospital's radiology dept. so that the radiologist can look at the pix immediatley. I, with needing just screening mammos, have mine done at the satelite clinic. (the tech just looks to see if she has satisfactory films). I'm not sure what the radiologist would say to my DM if she saw a problem on one of her pix. So far, they've been clear.