A while ago I had a very itchy nipple with discharge. After a clear mammogram and ultrasound showing what looked like a lymph node, I was sent to surgeon who took a small piece of skin off my nipple as my GP thought perhaps I had Paget's Disease- Results of the skin biopsy showed nothing. Diagnosed with eczema. Since then- I've had itchy breast with discharge, fullness and a large lump. I was sent for another mammogram and ultrasound that showed nothing. No lump- nothing to worry about. After a week of thinking I'd gone crazy- I asked my GP to send me for an MRI as I could feel the lump and still had nipple discharge and a feeling of fullness in my left breast. MRI has shown a spiculated region measuring 25 x 15 x18 mm at 5 o'clock region. Appears to be a strand of enhancement extending up to the inferior part of the nipple most likely indicating involvement of the duct and this will account for the clinical findings of discharge. Enhancement pattern favours a benign lesion, the speculated outline of the region favours malignancy??? Prudent to obtain a biopsy. Now the wait to see the same surgeon who took my nipple biopsy begins. Should I ask to see someone else? I'm so confused about what to do.

Well done for keeping on at the medicos - it is your body and you know it best. Keep on asking questions and if at any stage you are not satisfied then ask for a referral elsewhere. That is your right. Keep in touch and let us know the outcome. Hugs Summer :-)

Understand that you are confused. Do you feel more comfortable with your GP or the surgeon? I'm thinking stick to the surgeon and see what he/she now thinks. But if you trust the GP more maybe see her/him and ask if they think you should go to a different surgeon. Sorry not much help there. Please let us know what you decide.....and we will all be thinking about you. Anne-Marie ??

Hi there theres plenty of Breast surgeons out there. You need to feel comfortable that your doctor has your best interests at heart. Medicine is not an exact science but it doesn't hurt to get a second opinion. Find someone you are comfortable with. Good luck for your results. Karen xox

Am sorry to hear you have more s@@@ to worry about , this BC is so unfair ?? I was interested in reading of all the testing you had done with no joy in giving you the correct diagnosis , am so glad you had your MRI ..... When my merry go round started I had 4 mammograms , 2 core biopsies and 2 ultrasounds ..... Go home they said all is well with you ! Like you I couldn't rest , asked for an MRI and surprise surprise I had invasive lobular cancer in my left breast E+ 96% P+ 90% , my right breast I have DCIS E+ P+ Her2 + , so my question is ....... If mammograms, ultrasound , core biopsies , grey needle mammagram ( never again will someone do that to me , I am 56 and cried for my Mum ! ) and all these other tests miss things far too often WHY are we not automatically given an MRI ???? Is it money ? All breast cancer patients should be able to access this test free of charge , it's the least the health department could do for our well-being , anxiety and mental health ... Makes me SOOOOOOO mad . Family first , if you not happy with your care , get that second opinion , you have to FIGHT for the right care , you know your body better than anybody . Good luck and stay strong ????????????????????????

Oh how awful for you. It's up to you now but if you have any doubts on how the breast surgeon proceeds now then get a second opinion. It's your breast and your life. Hoping you get your results quickly.

back on this merry go 'round of confusion

12 Replies

lrb_03
Member
9 years ago
All I can say is g I d on you for keeping on pushing for answers, and knowing your body.

I'm also glad you opted for a different surgeon, and that you're happier with thst decision.

Keep coming back and posting.

Take care, Lyn
familyfirst
Member
9 years ago
sorry about being ignorant, but what is a grey needle? I'm wondering how the doctor will biopsy if it doesn't show on mammogram or ultrasound and only on MRI.
Scanxious
Member
9 years ago
Net, only the MRI picked up the tumours and then the grey needle which I had with ultrasound targeted them, I also had the grey needle still in place for another mammogram on same day ! Swear I could have given myself a double mastectomy that night ! Swore that no-one would ever touch my breasts again ( wishful thinking ) up shot of it all was that after being told quite ' Cooly ' for 4 months that all was well , then things went manic and within 2 days of MRI op was done , never got chance to catch my breath, it was an horrific time, yeah I got thru it but I was a nervous wreck at the end! You stay strong hon, get all the opinions you want , don't you ( or anyone of our lovely ladies ) leave your health /life to some pathologists ' subjective ' opinion on what is going on...... Look where it almost took me ! Good luck with it all ??
familyfirst
Member
9 years ago
thanks Karen.

have made an appointment with a different surgeon after talking with my GP.

Net x
familyfirst
Member
9 years ago
I feel a bit more empowered to take charge of my health. Asking for an MRI was extremely difficult as I was always told that Doctors knew best. I still trust in that but have faith in my own mind and body now to ask and question when I don't feel things are right.

Net x
familyfirst
Member
9 years ago
SCanxious,

Thanks for your reply.My goodness what a merry go 'round of nonsense you've had to endure. How was your cancer diagnosed finally? also there is a lot of information about biopsy and what type to have etc. what biopsy confirmed your diagnoses?

So far in the last year and a bit I've had 2 mammograms and 2 ultrasounds- all clear (except last year's - enlarged lymph node).

Net x
familyfirst
Member
9 years ago
Hi Lithgow1950,

Thanks for your response.

I've decided to see another surgeon. I feel much more at ease with that decision. I'll take along all the reports and pictures of the last year and a bit. Tuesday I have a consult and then I'll go from there. now the wait.

Net x
primek
Member
9 years ago
Oh how awful for you. It's up to you now but if you have any doubts on how the breast surgeon proceeds now then get a second opinion. It's your breast and your life. Hoping you get your results quickly.
Scanxious
Member
9 years ago
Am sorry to hear you have more s@@@ to worry about , this BC is so unfair ?? I was interested in reading of all the testing you had done with no joy in giving you the correct diagnosis , am so glad you had your MRI ..... When my merry go round started I had 4 mammograms , 2 core biopsies and 2 ultrasounds ..... Go home they said all is well with you ! Like you I couldn't rest , asked for an MRI and surprise surprise I had invasive lobular cancer in my left breast E+ 96% P+ 90% , my right breast I have DCIS E+ P+ Her2 + , so my question is ....... If mammograms, ultrasound , core biopsies , grey needle mammagram ( never again will someone do that to me , I am 56 and cried for my Mum ! ) and all these other tests miss things far too often WHY are we not automatically given an MRI ???? Is it money ? All breast cancer patients should be able to access this test free of charge , it's the least the health department could do for our well-being , anxiety and mental health ... Makes me SOOOOOOO mad . Family first , if you not happy with your care , get that second opinion , you have to FIGHT for the right care , you know your body better than anybody . Good luck and stay strong ????????????????????????
Cook65
Member
9 years ago
Hi there

theres plenty of Breast surgeons out there. You need to feel comfortable that your doctor has your best interests at heart. Medicine is not an exact science but it doesn't hurt to get a second opinion. Find someone you are comfortable with. Good luck for your results. Karen xox