Hi, I have just been looking at the threads on this link, went to hosptial today after mammogram (normal), scan and core biopsies on a very small ‘complex mass’ to get my results. My consultant was very sure that the results were not ‘sinister’ and apparently i definately do not have cancer! He described the ‘mass’ (which I can’t feel), as a Grade 3 Fibroadenoma and said that I do not need further treatment. He did however, say that I should have a non-urgent MRI scan to check the ‘blood flow’ or something like that and said that he wants to see me after the MRI.
I came home gleaming (having spent the last couple of weeks convinced that i had full blown breast cancer), but now I am not so sure - the itching continues, as do the shooting pains and I have been exhausted for weeks and weeks.
Has anyone else been sent for an MRI? SHould I be worried still?
I would give the helpline on here a ring as i don’t really know much about fibroadenoma and unfortunately most of us probably don’t as our lumps turned out to be malignant… i do know a few people have mentioned having them removed only to discover there was a tumour hidden underneath… (don’t want to scare you by that but i am sure others will also mention it…) did he suggest removing it at all as i do know there have also been people who have decided to have their fibroadenomas removed… the helpline might also be able to explain why he is likely to have suggested the mri… if not perhaps try speaking to the bcn at your unit to see if she can help.
I was one of the ladies who decided to have the fibroadenoma removed and I’m glad I did as it was hiding a stage 3 Her2+ tumour. Nothing showed up on any of my tests results or biopsies as the tumour was so well hidden. I chose to have the fibroadenoma removed as I just didn’t like the fact I had this lump there - I kept touching it and it was becoming really sore on account of this. I had been self examining for 20 years at that point and I’m not kidding when I say this fibroid just seemed to “appear” one morning the day after I had finished a period. The Consultant told me the tumour they found under it had been growing for about 6 months and was very aggressive. I was told the week after having the fibroid removed as a day patient and I knew there was something wrong as the Consultant kept fidgeting with his glasses when he was examining the scar, also he had a breast care nurse present. When I sat down he just said it was a good job the fibroadenoma had been removed as they had found a cancer under it.
I have a relative who is a BC specialist and he told me it is not that unusual for this to happen.
That was back in 2006 and I’m pleased to say I am very well at the moment. I finished Herceptin treatment nearly 2 years ago.
Hi Cherub…I just wanted to say thank you to you. I have been diagnosed with a “fibroadenoma” which measure 3.5cm just by having a scan, no biopsy or anything. I remembered your story. The doctor was encouraging me not to have it removed (as if it would be a nuissance). But I remembered what you said and asked for it to be removed as I know they may find something else.
Just waiting on the appointment. I have been asked to go on the short notice list. How long did you have to wait for your appoinment and how did you feel after the op? x
I had the fibroid out 3 weeks after the biopsy results came back, of course at that point the test results were clear. My lymph nodes came out 4 weeks after the fibroid (3 weeks after the surgeon told me I had cancer).
When he thought it was just a fibroid he did ask me what I wanted to do as he explained fibroids never turn cancerous. I just hated the fact it was there and asked to have it taken out and he said he thought that was wise as it could get bigger. If that happened it would then have to be removed and would cause a disfigurement. After I found out I had BC, I asked the surgeon why I was given a choice about the fibroid. He said if I had opted not to have it removed he would have steered me down the route of why I should have it taken out,but they have to give patients the choice when it’s benign. However, I do find it scary that another surgeon may have let me just say no, then go off none the wiser. I try never to think of that aspect as I don’t think it would be good to dwell on it.
I don’t know, at the time there was something telling me to get it removed; when I went back the following week I had a funny feeling. When the surgeon told me I had cancer I was a little bit shocked, but totally calm and I think it was because I had an idea things were not quite right.
Thanks for that Cherub…I have a question that you may not know the answer to but may have a general comment on?
Obviously at the moment I am waiting on surgery to have the lump removed - but in the meantime I have found another lump on the same breast, it is very different to the other one, pea-sized and very hard and unmoveable…
Who do I contact to have this seen to? Do I need to go back to my GP and wait for another referral to the breast or is there someone else I can speak to?
The left side of the breast is also very very painful (nowhere near the lump)
I think you need to get back in contact with the breast clinic that is dealing with you. I was told before my discharge from oncology that if I found anything else suspicious during remission I should contact the breast care nurse who was handling my case. In my case they would give me an appointment within 7 days for another lump, unexplained pain etc.
Hi, Now i am really confused, when i saw the consultant he said that he was referring me for the MRI (non-urgent), and that once i had a date, i should phone his secretary to get an appointment with him for a fortnight after the scan.
Yesterday, i got hoome to a letter from the hospital saying that i have a follow up appointment in 4 weeks (no MRI appt or anything else just a standard follow up letter).
I have also become obsessed with my ‘foreign body’ as i see it in my boob, i want it out, but this was not offered at the last appointment so now i have a dilema - should i phone and say, don’t think i shoudl have had this appt., need an MRI first, or should I go to the appt., and ask them to take the ‘foreign body’ out? Any suggestions?
I had already made UP my mind before I had the follow up appointment for the results of the fibroid. The surgeon asked me what I wanted and I said I wanted it removed as I hated the fact it was there - I kept touching and prodding it to see if it was getting bigger and it was starting to hurt.
His opinion was that although it’s not known for fibroids to become cancerous, it was better to have it removed because if it got bigger it would then have to be excised and it would cause disfigurement. There was absolutely nothing in my tests results to suggest I had cancer, I assume because it was completely hidden by the fibroid.
I didn’t have and MRI, just the triple assessment, then some bloods and a chest x-ray when I was told they had found the cancer.
