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What Causes Lump In The Outer Region Of Left Breast Along With Tenderness?
Question: Looking for a second opinion. Nodule or "lump" on outside of left breast..it is in the tissue. i can feel it and when i press around on the area it is very very sore and tender. it is at the very top outer region of my left breast. Could it be cancer?
Brief Answer:
Considerations
Detailed Answer:
hello and thank you for sending the question.
From what you have described it sounds like you might have a swollen lymph node in the upper outer portion of your breast. This type of thing can happen for a number of reasons including inflammation, infection and rarely cancer.
Since the symptoms have persisted I would recommend that you see your local physician for a good focused consultation and physical examination.
your doctor can discuss possible options including observation with warm compresses and anti-inflammatory medications, antibiotics if he thinks there is an infection or if he is more suspicious of a problem he might recommend some type of imaging such as a mammogram.
Unfortunately there is no way to give 100% guarantee that this is not cancer so if this is causing a significant concern I would recommend that you see your doctor to discuss this and have a good physical exam.
Thank you again for sending your question.
Sincerely,
Dr. Galamaga
Considerations
Detailed Answer:
hello and thank you for sending the question.
From what you have described it sounds like you might have a swollen lymph node in the upper outer portion of your breast. This type of thing can happen for a number of reasons including inflammation, infection and rarely cancer.
Since the symptoms have persisted I would recommend that you see your local physician for a good focused consultation and physical examination.
your doctor can discuss possible options including observation with warm compresses and anti-inflammatory medications, antibiotics if he thinks there is an infection or if he is more suspicious of a problem he might recommend some type of imaging such as a mammogram.
Unfortunately there is no way to give 100% guarantee that this is not cancer so if this is causing a significant concern I would recommend that you see your doctor to discuss this and have a good physical exam.
Thank you again for sending your question.
Sincerely,
Dr. Galamaga
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
The last Dr that I went to said that it was not a swollen lymph node but i wasn't sent for testing. he felt the lump though. it has been painful for at least 6 months
Brief Answer:
Followup
Detailed Answer:
hello and thank you for the additional information.
If this area continues to be symptomatic in terms of pain and discomfort it would be reasonable to request an additional diagnostic evaluation which might include an ultrasound or some type of imaging study.
If the area has been relatively consistent in terms of size I think it would be very unlikely that this is some type of cancer. I suspect it might be some type of cyst or inflammatory process.
I can appreciate that this is something that causes a great deal of anxiety and if this is the case I would request additional evaluation for your primary care doctor.
Sincerely,
Dr. Galamaga
Followup
Detailed Answer:
hello and thank you for the additional information.
If this area continues to be symptomatic in terms of pain and discomfort it would be reasonable to request an additional diagnostic evaluation which might include an ultrasound or some type of imaging study.
If the area has been relatively consistent in terms of size I think it would be very unlikely that this is some type of cancer. I suspect it might be some type of cyst or inflammatory process.
I can appreciate that this is something that causes a great deal of anxiety and if this is the case I would request additional evaluation for your primary care doctor.
Sincerely,
Dr. Galamaga
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Sonia Raina
Thank you for mentioning that it put my mind at ease..are fibrocystic breasts painful? It just scares me that its so so tender and painful and i don't know what a breast cancer lump feels like :(
Brief Answer:
Follow up
Detailed Answer:
Hello and thanks for the follow up.
Sorry for the delayed response due to my work schedule.
Fibrocystic changes in the breast can sometimes be painful. Sometimes anti-inflammatory medications can alleviate these symptoms. You might try that for a short period of time. If symptoms are very uncomfortable however I do recommend that you follow up with your primary care doctor.
Meanwhile let me know if i can be of any help
Thanks for contacting HCM
Dr. Galamaga
Follow up
Detailed Answer:
Hello and thanks for the follow up.
Sorry for the delayed response due to my work schedule.
Fibrocystic changes in the breast can sometimes be painful. Sometimes anti-inflammatory medications can alleviate these symptoms. You might try that for a short period of time. If symptoms are very uncomfortable however I do recommend that you follow up with your primary care doctor.
Meanwhile let me know if i can be of any help
Thanks for contacting HCM
Dr. Galamaga
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Arnab Banerjee
Okay..it has been painful for about 6 months now and it is a fixed lump. is that common with fibrocystic breasts?
Brief Answer:
Follow up
Detailed Answer:
hello and thanks for the follow up question.
Your symptoms are really not typical of fibrocystic breast disease. For this reason I think it might be worth exploring further to see if this might be some type of other subcutaneous nodule or possibly a sebaceous cyst. I doubt this is any type of cancer. Since you're still having uncomfortable symptoms I think it should be explored further so you can hopefullyachieve resolution of your symptoms.
Sincerely,
Dr. Galamaga
Follow up
Detailed Answer:
hello and thanks for the follow up question.
Your symptoms are really not typical of fibrocystic breast disease. For this reason I think it might be worth exploring further to see if this might be some type of other subcutaneous nodule or possibly a sebaceous cyst. I doubt this is any type of cancer. Since you're still having uncomfortable symptoms I think it should be explored further so you can hopefullyachieve resolution of your symptoms.
Sincerely,
Dr. Galamaga
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
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