Hi Sommer,
I am just venting I think cos this has been going on a while now, it would have been nice for the surgeon to mention last week when he did the biopsy and said “come back in a week for your results” that he would not be available to be seen personally. I’m a medical secretary myself so I know the score but it’s different when you’re the patient I guess…
I still intend on having Larry removed at the earliest opportunity as he’s still growing and giving me pain in my arm and shoulder!
Thanks for your best wishes and take care,
boo
Ps - thanks for the further info Lizzy, I’ll let you know what Larry is when he’s been taken out!
Hi boocat,
Oh wouldn’t it be nice if they kept us informed??? I have asked for another surgeon via my GP, as I am very unhappy with mine. Getting the NHS to work for me, rather than me fighting it!
So you have pain in your arm and shoulder? I too have had that, chronic now, since my excisional and it has driven me to distraction…
Hi Somer,
sorry you are not having much joy - fingers crossed your GP will help you with that.
I agree with you the pain is definitely the pits (excuse the pun) - I’ve had persistent and worsening pain in breast, underarm, shoulder, bicep and chest for over a month now whilst Larry grows and it has been much worse this last week since the needle core biopsy.
I’ve already had three fibroadenomas removed, and one left in situ, but Larry is unlike anything I have had before in size or presentation and that’s why I’m not reassured by any “not untoward” comments - I want Larry gone!
Take care for now, boo xx
Hi boocat.
You have had three fibroadenomas removed? On different occasions?
I have done a lot of research on fibroadenomas, and I feel a niggling little thing about them…
Because they are more common in younger women, and breast cancer is rare in younger women, the watch and wait approach is used. In older women, I do think that they are a red flag that significant changes are going on, and that they should be removed. I know that they cannot turn cancerous, but like any other tissue, cancer can develop in them, we don’t need them, so why leave them in, especially as age increases risks as we age. Because the cause of breast cancer is not yet known, there are only risk factors, I wouldn’t want to harbour any risk at all, and it is proven that they can hide tissue.
Chronic pain is not funny, why should we have to live with pain? Aside from taking endless painkillers, if a person is in pain, then there is a reason for it! I have had chronic pain for six months, more painful now since my surgery, more lumps, am just not happy. I can talk calmly to my GP, and get out my frustrations, which she understands and she agrees with me that there are significant changes in my left breast to warrant a second opinion.
If Larry is causing you problems, then that should be addressed and I hope you find some relief from that soon. I am more relieved today, because my GP listened to my concerns, rather than the “Good news, it is a fibroadenoma” The one that was removed, stated on my histology “complex” my G told me that, not the breast cancer nurse. She said “fibroadenoma” There is a difference and I am very vigilant around it all.
Hi Sommer, yup lucky me - first one L removed in 1996, another in 1999 and the third in 2004. All three by different surgeons who diagnosed by u/s and fine needle aspiration only.
Went back in 2009 and saw my current surgeon, u/s and fine needle as before but recommended that it stay in as was under scar tissue of a previous op and would be better to “watch and wait” then to remove.
Noticed before Christmas that either that lump was growing or another lump was growing - the surgeon recommended u/s, mammogram, a second u/s and then the needle core biopsy. It was only when booking the needle core when phyllodes was mentioned and I started researching…
Like you, I’m suspicious of all lumps and take the view “better out than in”
Am tempted to ask for copies of all my hospital reports to see exactly what each lump was… boo x
Because I am curious, on the histology from all three that were removed, what were the results?
To be honest, i’ve never seen any written histology - i’ve only ever been verbally told “don’t worry it’s a benign lump” or “it’s a benign fibroadenoma”.
I’d like to see my written notes really…
Hi boocat
Like you I have previous history of fibroadenoma - 4 removed between 1984 and 2006 (ages 15 to 37). A fifth lump appeared (no pain associated with it) which turned out to be a benign phyllodes tumour. My surgeon performed two surgeries to obtain clear margins as, although the phyllodes was benign, they are rather agressive so he wanted to minimise the chance of a recurrence. No trouble with it since but was diagnosed with breast cancer in November and currently undergoing treatment - my boobs have severely let me down over the years! That said my surgeon has been brilliant and always acted in accordance with my wishes.
Hope you get the outcome you’re hoping for. Good luck x
Hi boocat,
I would write to your clinic, asking for copies of all pathology and histology on your fibroadenomas. I asked the consultant if I could see mine, which she showed me after the results of the biopsy. This lot I haven’t seen, but I know my GP will give them to me.
What my consultant stated was “Good news, it is a fibroadenoma” What the histology stated on testing of the lump actually came back as a complex fibroadenoma.
Hi Mrs Foxglove,
Good lord, you have been through the wringer…
Hello ladies, thank you both for sharing and for the advice - I shall ask to see my notes on Friday and write for copies of my full file too.
It’s really helpful talking to others who have had "lumpy breasts"like me, thank you x
Hi boocat,
It is helpful, who else to ask other than women who are going through the same issues… My left breast has always been lumpy, which has never caused me any probelms, they have come and gone with my menstrual cycle. In 2003, I had discharge from my left nipple which was treated with anti biotics, it eventually cleared up, there was no testing done at all.
I can’t help wondering if this was the beginning, as many growths take quite some time to present themselves…
Hello all Ladies,
I think this is a vexing issue, I too have been told that I had particularly ‘lumpy breasts’ and over the years I have been to GP’s/
hospital on a number of occasions.
I had a fibrodenoma (SP?) removed whilst breastfeeding, and ‘normal breast tissue’ biopsy result 5 or 6 years ago.
Role on Feb 2012 and I now have breast cancer.
I wish in retrospect I had paid privately for an MRI, as the dense breast tissue, that I was told I had my well have been the start of all this. The radiographer could barely read it cos of this.
I expect it might have been growing all the time, but who knows?
WS
Hi wintersocks,
I have just been writing to a young lady over in benign conditions who has been diagnosed with a fibroadenoma. She’s 22, which of course, is the “right” age to become more breast aware and conditions such as this can be dealt with, with plenty of time.
You are correct, it is vexing, very. I have never had any issues with my boobs till the discharge in 2003, then this subsequent problem that I have now. While I am 100% certain that what I had removed is an FA, that I am assured of, I do have another two masses, which of course could be completely benign also, but clearly, there are significant changes going on, which have been ignored hence my seeking another consultant. I am pleased in many respects, as it has taught me a few lessons, the worry that something is wrong with me, the waiting for results, the whole process has taught me not to take my health for granted and of course, I have learned from here and many other women, to be breast aware, since I am below UK screening age, then vigilance is the only way to get concerns addressed and it may mean that in future, if anything sinister, I just may be able to d something about it!
Mrs F, I am sory to read that you have been stalked by this enemy… I do hope you’re doing well!
HI All,
Totally understand the ‘lumpy breast’ issue too!!
You should get a copy of your notes anyway - I asked to be copied in on everything, which then allows me to read and reread what’s written and, of course, decipher the medical jargon too!
My lump was tested with needle biopsy and results were benign fibroadenoma however a few weeks later when they took out that (larger) lump, there was another and both tested as malignant phyllodes! Since then I have found all sorts of information and support from others diagnosed with phyllodes and medical papers and journals that we have gathered and one of the ladies put into an indexed database!! Amazing what you have to do when there is little research or information out there!
Do get in touch if you’d like more information as I know only too well how ‘alone’ I felt when there appeared to be little information available.
But certainly ask for copies of all the reports. Hugs xxxx
Hi goanna,
My fibroadenoma was removed two weeks ago, there is a second lump which is more spread out, not moveable, at first I thought it was swelling from the excisional, alas, it is not, although the consultant was aware of the second one, she told me herself, yet she signed me off!
This is a much flatter, harder mass, (I think lump is too strong a word) not painful at all. Right under the incision which has all healed nicely.
Definitely something that is more prominent, and I can feel this one, I could not feel the fibroadenoma I had removed. Even though it was only 5mm under the skin!
Did they remove the second lump at the same time? How are you doing now?
hi goanna
just read your post how long ago did you have your phlloydes removed and how malignat was yours
I had mine removed in nov 2011 it was 13/10 high power
are you the same anna that wrote annas diary on another site
liz
Hi all
Well I saw the registrar today and was told my biopsy results were normal/ benign and that I can have Larry the lump removed as soon as the bruising from my needle core biopsy goes down. I have asked for clear margins to be taken and he’s agreed to take 1/2 an inch as well as the lump. He’s also agreed to copy me in to all correspondence with my GP.
I still don’t know if it’s a fibroadenoma or a benign phyllodes but either way will just be glad when it’s out and the final pathology results are available.
Thanks all for your support,
Boo x
hi boocat
that is good news
so glad he agreed to the clear margins then its done and dusted in 1 go
If it is a phyllodes that is the most important part of the treatment
take care
liz
Hi all
Just to update you i am scheduled for lump removal tomorrow (after a three week wait while my surgeon was on holiday) i will let you know how i get on xx