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Galactocele or fibroadenoma?

loulou87
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Hello, 

I'm currently in the freaking out stage between biopsy and results. 
 

Whilst I was breastfeeding my daughter a visible lump appeared under the skin close to my nipple, at first I had assumed a blocked duct or something similar but there was no pain or discomfort. I went to see my gp and was told "oh you're breastfeeding, it'll go". I didn't feel comfortable with that so I went and saw a different gp and got a referral. Last Christmas/ January 2020 I had two appointments with a consultant and ultrasound as was told it was a galactocele. It should go of it's own accord once feeding finished but to go back if it didn't. 
 

I fed for a further 6 months or so and then I have to be honest I have only just gone back as it hasn't gone. It's not as obvious as it was but I think that's just because my breasts are a lot softer now my milk has gone!! 
 

I had another exam and scan on Monday, it has gone down in size by 2-3mm. But now there is a question mark as to whether it is a galactocele or a fibroadenoma. 
 

I had a biopsy yesterday and am due to get the results next week. They did comment as they took the sample it looked liked the remains of galactocele but I don't know how much they can really tell from visual characteristics of a sample? 
 

I think my main concern is now they think it is potentially something else perhaps they've got it wrong all along? And I've seen lots of tales of ladies being told it was fibroadenoma but then receiving a breast cancer diagnosis on results from biopsy. I'm absolutely worried sick now. 
 

xx

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    Hello loulou87, 

    I just wanted to welcome you to our forum. Many here will relate to this stage you describe between biopsy and results, what often feels like a long endless anxious wait. I hope you won't have to wait too long for your biopsy results.  It is reassuring that they commented as they took the sample that it looked like the remains of a galactocele but hopefully you will have confirmation of this very soon 

    I know it is really hard but try not to worry too much or anticipate what it might be. The best thing to do to avoid thinking too much about this is to keep busy and distracted if you can and avoid looking things up online. I can imagine it is hard for you to do this at the moment but it will help you feel a little less anxious. 

    I hope you will also hear from others here who have been through all this before and that they will be along soon to share their story with you. 

    Keeping everything crossed for you that everything turns out fine. 

    Best wishes, 

    Lucie, Cancer Chat Moderator

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    Hi [@loulou87]‍ ,

    i just came across your post and I have had EXACTLY the same thing. Spring 2020 I started feeling hardness on the left outer while breastfeeding, I just thought it could be a blocked milk duct so carried on feeding, summer 2020 and my little one was feeding one day and it seemed to cheat but left a lump towards the top, I got it checked out they said it looks like a galactocele so aspirated it and got some milky substance which they sent off for testing, results were it wasn't infected.

     

    i got told the same it would go away but it still hasn't (and I'm still breastfeeding) but it kind of changed a little lately so I went back to see them last week. On ultrasound they said it still looks the same as it did last summer so they can either biopsy it to confirm whether it's a galactocele or a fibroadenoma with lactational change. As it wasn't round or oval shaped like a typical galactocele. If they biopsy now there was a risk of milk fistula so I agreed to stop breastfeeding and go back in 3 months as I too am worried because it's been too long and have heard galactocele do go away, mine hasn't!

     

     Was yours found or oval on ultrasound? did you note them mentioning whether it had well circumscribed margins etc?

     

    I hope your biopsy results have gone well and that you have found out what it is.

     

    A x

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