Hi Emma 

Sorry you're having to go through this, but I've found this whole breast referral very frustrating.

I attended breast clinic for swollen armpit and tender lymph node on 29th Sept, had mammogram and ultrasound and then called back in for 3D mammogram for an area of concern. 

I was then told I needed to have core biopsy under mammogram, twelve days later!

Had the biopsies was told last week *after a week delay* they were all clear and it was graded a b2 lesion, I was elated for 3 seconds to be told at the MDT meeting they said it didn't correspond with what they found on the mammogram so on Wednesday I'm having a stereotactic VAB biopsy!

The whole process has been an awful emotional experience, I can't believe there isn't a better diagnostic procedure to interpret results quicker so not to put additional stress on a patient.

But it seems this is the way it goes with diagnosing  breast cancer/issues even sometimes their wordings can contradict each others and I'm at a complete loss as to what they've found.

Let me know what happens, good luck and take care xxx

Sorry your having to go through this too, I suppose we should be grateful they are doing further tests etc but I just assumed the whole thing would be a bit more clear cut. Call me naive but I thought it was a simple as yes there is cancer or no there's not! I didnt think it was a matter of how different people interpret the results etc. Certainly been a real learning curve so far.

Fingers crossed for a positive outcome for us both

Hi Figaro1

Sorry to jump on your post but I'm feeling very frustrated at the moment as well. I have an underarm lump and swelling and also intermittent breast pain / tenderness. 

Had a mammogram and underarm ultrasound 3 weeks ago which all came back clear but I'm really not convinced. My armpit feels like there's is something constantly stuck underneath it. 

I went back to see a specialist a couple of weeks ago to get a second opinion and he thought it was a build up of glandular tissue but I really don't think it is. I seem to be going round in circles and not getting any answers. 

Going back to see him in 2 weeks for a review and another ultrasound if he thinks it's necessary.

It's consuming my mind constantly I can barely function I'm so worried and scared!
 

Hi Kate

My underarm swelling and lymph node were completely fine on screening, the distortion they found was elsewhere on the breast snd was found incidentally in the ducts nowhere near the armpit site and the breast consultant said to me that I would never have found it as it is tiny, he said glandular tissue was in armpit which was normal changes, US done under armpit there was no concern for that area.

I hope this reassures you with the consultants findings but do get a second opinion for complete peace of mind, please let me know what happens.

Xxx

Hi [@Figaro1]‍

Thanks for this, that gives me some reassurance. Did you have any discomfort in your armpit at all? I feel mine niggling all the time which is concerning me as well 

Yeah, all the time, my lymph nodes were also tender so I was surprised they came back as normal findings as my armpit felt like it was on fire and something inside it that caught on clothing.

When I lift both arms up the swelling is noticeable, I've switched from underwire bras to non wire so that it didn't rub but it's not gone at all, think they used the term migratory breast tissue!

Let me know how you get on with your appointment xxx

Hi [@5040emma]‍ sorry to hear what you are going through. I had a very similar experience to you with very mixed results that dragged on for two months from my recall letter to result and was only finally diagnosed after they removed the dodgy bit in surgery.

On Xmas Eve last year I had a recall from a screening mammogram (I was 51 at the time). Nice timing. At the clinic on 6 Jan (that was a long two weeks) they did a mammogram and decided the bit I was recalled on was ok but they spotted a new area of concern that I belatedly realised was tied in with an indent on my breast. The ultrasound confirmed it was "highly suspicious " and after the biopsies they took me into a room with a nurse to prepare me for news of a cancer diagnosis in 10 days. 
I go to my results meeting and am told "I'm complicated" because biopsy is inconclusive but shows some evidence it is probably cancer.

They book me in for an MRI which then flags up the original area I was recalled on does look bad after all so they biopsy both areas this time.

More agonising waiting then back for another results meeting. At this one they say there is no evidence of cancer (what?!?) but the MDT is not happy with this and want to take the original area out and biopsy the second area again.

This is the moment of waiting to know if I am facing a mastectomy or a lumpectomy. A nervous wait as they rush the result before my planned surgery in case that has to be changed. The second area is confirmed as a radial scar with no abnormal cells at all. Phew!!

I have the bad area (indented bit) removed with a wire guided wide local excision biopsy and when I go back for that post surgery meeting it is confirmed there was a very small cancer hiding behind a radial scar. A rare type (Tubular Carcinoma) that doesn't tend to present as a lump and is very hard to diagnose. There is some DCIS with it.

I am forever grateful to my persistent MDT and my wonderful breast surgeon. She was convinced something wasn't right even though results were inconclusive.

What was so hard though was being told in 6 January that I should prepare for it to be cancer and not have it confirmed until 26 February. They were some tough weeks.

Hang in there. It's tough but much better for them to be thorough.

Good luck xx

Hi [@kiwirunner]‍ thank you for commenting and sharing your experience it is comforting to know that this happens and it's not just me! I'm 44 and have never had a mammogram or any experience of this previously, it's all new to me.
I'm glad everything turned out well for you and they were persistent, you are right though the waiting and the not knowing are the worst. I shall try and be patient while it's on-going and trust the process.

Thanks Emma

Hi Kiwirunner

I'm so grateful for you sharing that as it absolutely resonates with me.

It sounds identical to what I'm going through and today I'm having a Stereotactic Vacuum assisted biopsy, I'm petrified.

I attended breast clinic on 29th Sept, an incidental finding showed up unrelated to my swollen armpit, had another mammogram a 3d one, US and I noticed the atmosphere in the room changed- was was told it looks concerning and that there was a finding of significant concern, I left unable to function, cried a lot and then I waited 12 days for Core Biopsy.

They took seven samples and again I was told significant changes, a mention of dense breasts and a lot of talk about being able to treat it, I went into shock.

Had appointment for results 7 days after biopsy, was told to bring someone with me, the wait was dreadful, sat in clinic and waited 2 hours and when we were called in was informed the results weren't back!! 

The breast surgeon told me it was an M3 and US 3 - small chalky spot, would never find it, he said Biopsy may come back b3 but he thinks it will be a benign finding b2 he'll ring me in two days! *I ended up waiting another week*

All biopsies were clear! Fibrocystic changes, possibly radial scar, architectural distortion with no atypia but have to have VAB as pathology doesn't match finding although it was graded b2, so confused but after reading yours I've completely changed my mind and glad of the persistence (just not so on the delays)

Wasn't rushed, so now it's five weeks on- emotional roller coaster and just found out another forum friend was diagnosed with cancer after benign core biopsies and it has completely thrown me.

Sorry for long winded post, I just need to offload, 

Could you tell me what happened after your findings with regards to treatment please I really would appreciate that do I can prepare, how are you now with everything?  Oh I'm 47.

Thank you so much

Lisa xxx