Lump in Breast and now one in armpit
 

My daughter shares the BRCA2 gene and now at 35 she had a good sized palpable lump in her breast. She went to the Dr. who gave her an Ultrasound and said it was not cancer. Now just a short time later she also finds one under her arm. She is going for ANOTHER ultrasound and I am going with her. I don't understand why an ultrasound is a good option! I had a stereotactic biopsy, and several mamograms and still no one saw that I had stage 3a Breast cancer till they went in to remove my supposedly stage 0 cancer. So I have a low trust factor for Dr.'s to begin with. I need to do my very best to see that she gets good care and quickly. What should we be asking? What should I be doing to help her get this taken care of? She was already talking to a plastic surgeon to go ahead with the Double Mastectomy with reconstruction, now this happens. arrrrrgh I am so worried about her. Can anyone offer me some advise? I think that being away from the medical side for so long makes me insecure and feeling out of the loop. thanks in advance for any advice or help.
Kim

Re: Lump in Breast and now one in armpit
 

Maybe get a second opinion from another radiologist? and will they do a mammogram?
sarah

Re: Lump in Breast and now one in armpit
 

kim I don't know if your daughter saw a breast surgeon but I would recommend she does for another opinion. He may decide a biopsy is the way to go which is the only way to know for sure of course. Sorry I can't be more help as I've been a while away from Dr's myself but know it's always best to see someone who's expert in a particular field. Good luck and hope she's fine.

Re: Lump in Breast and now one in armpit
 

Kim - I agree with getting a second opinion. My best friend has significant cysts in her breasts that the radiologist has been watching for years. Recently they got so big they needed drained. I made her go see my breast surgeon just to get a second opinion and have someone that is a specialist in that area make sure she is being watched closely. Glad I did and so is she. Find the best breast surgeon or specialist in your area, and seek more opinions if you are not satisfied. Her life is too precious!

Jessica

Re: Lump in Breast and now one in armpit
 

Kim,
Love the fighting spirit for you daughter, the mama grizzly is in full force! I am in the second opinion camp because I do not like the second lump appearing under her arm. I suppose a cyst can form in the nodes, but less likely and that it is why its appearance is concerning to me. Be aggressive and do not let anyone make you feel you are being too pushy by being so. You know the battle is less formidable if the foe is caught early, so be proactive because no one cares more about your daughter than you. Please let us know what transpires. We'll pray and hope for cysts!!!

Re: Lump in Breast and now one in armpit
 

I would think a biopsy is in order. Glad your daughter has you to help her along the way.

Re: Lump in Breast and now one in armpit
 

I agree with everyone here ... especially with Laurel that the lump in her armpit is especially something to be concerned and check, and that a biopsy is the only way to know for sure. I don't understand why they haven't biopsed, at the very least, the lump in her armpit.


Praying she is okay. Please keep us posted.


Carol Ann

Re: Lump in Breast and now one in armpit
 

the only thing i can think of is that the lump feels soft and on ultra sound appears cystic so clinically it's dismissed as being a cyst.
However, Ultrasound is not entirely diagnostic. Would get a second opinion, with CT scan confirmation, and biopsy if CT is conclusive.
wishing for only good news!

Re: Lump in Breast and now one in armpit
 

Hey Kim,

I agree that a second opinion by a breast surgeon is the best route.

BTW, where are you located now?

Re: Lump in Breast and now one in armpit
 

When I was diagnosed I first had the mammogram followed by another mammogram and ultrasound. I think part of the ultrasound is to measure any masses that may be present - at least that was my takeaway from the reports on the ultrasound.

That said, I'm in the second opinion camp because several doctors - specialists - saw my mammogram and ultrasounds and I was assured the mass wasn't cancerous but they did a biopsy just to confirm it and it turns out they were wrong. I don't know if back then I would've requested a biopsy but I was okay with following their advice. Today I think I would insist on one.

Let us know how your daughter is doing and if you've found out anything more on her situation. Sending good thoughts and prayers your way!