Has anyone here had an ultrasound finding a suspicious mass, but it was benign? I mean is it possible to have something that looks like cancer, but is benign? I have no other symptoms but a sore lump under my nipple. Ultrasound results were suspicious of malignancy now I’m waiting for my biopsy. I’m a 25 year old male. I have alot in my favor i.e. young, male, no family history, no other symptoms. It’s just that the ultrasound and it looked bad. Help
Hi there Jonno, come back tomorrow as you will probably get lots of replies, but most are probably in bed now, and I would hate you to think you were being ignored, you will find a very very friendly bunch of ladies on here and a few guys too.
Sorry that you had join the forums, but welcome.
Hugs J xxxx
Hi Jonno - So sorry that you are going through this worry at the moment, but please don’t feel alone. I wish I could reassure you, but only with the biopsy will you know for sure what you are facing. All of us here know that waiting for results is one of the worst times. Hopefully you have someone that you have been able to talk to about this and who can be a good support to you while you are waiting. You will find lots of support here, and please do let us know what the results show - how long do you have to wait to know? Many lumps do turn out to be benign, but I would hate to be wrongly reassuring when you say that the US results were suspicious. You have a lot in your favour - and you will get through whatever is ahead. Good luck. Sarah.
Thanks guys. I have a week left unitl the biopsy. I am going crazy.
seabird that is what i am trying to find out. The report from the ultrasound said it is probably an infectious or inflammatory process, but a malignant neoplasm must be ruled out. I also noticed two more lumps that are like lines off to the side of it. They don’t seem to be connected. Does anyone know if multiple lumps suggest that they are benign. No lumps in the armpit.
Wish I could reassure you on that one, but in my case I had three tumours, so multiple lumps does not necessarily mean that they are not malignant. However, the fact that the U/S said “probably an infectious or inflammatory process” sounds quite optimistic for you. I quite understand you feel you are going crazy, try to hold on to the words that you have quoted - ie probably it will be nothing to worry about, so give most of your energies to this, and try to only allow yourself a certain amount of time worrying about the “but what ifs” and then force yourself to think more positively. If you do have to deal with anything else, I promise you you will be in good company and we will be here for you. Sarah
Jonno I think if they were suitably worried they would have told you to prepare for the worst. My mum was dx last month and she was told straight away, the scan looks very suspicious and we are very very concerned, but won’t know until we test it. From this moment my mum realised she was dealing with cancer. I had an ultra sound last Thursday and have been told they don’t know what my lump is, but think its probably benign but they have to test it to be sure. So I gather from what you are saying that they are not worried. Also the fact that they have sent you away rather than do the biospy at the same time again looks like there not too worried.
I hope this helps.
ps even if they are almost certain by looking at it, they always do a biopsy to rule it out if there not hundred percent certain.
Jules1964 I hope your right. My wife said the same thing. “If they really thought it was cancer they would have seen you sooner.” She is so positive and i love her to death. I also feel guilty, because this whole thing has brought on a depression. I am not taking it out on her or anything it’s just im not myself and I’m not really to positive. Its not her fault and I feel bad. I know no one can really tell me anything online, but i feel the need to try and find somethings out. Also it gives me a way to vent besides to my wife. Anyway I live in the US and I have private insurance. The way it works is you can see any doctor you want, but if you want to see a specialist or have a procedure done you need permission from the insurance company. It is given to your primary doctor upon request who gives you a referal to see the specialist or get a procedure done. Yet I still am hoping that if they really thought it was cancer they would have scheduled me sooner. I has been almost three weeks since my ultrasound, two weeks since i saw my doctor who said antibiotics or biopsy. My core biopsy is on apr. 6th, but i have not consulted a surgeon yet so I made an appointment on apr. 5th. Pretty close together but depending on what the surgeon says I might cancel the core biopsy if he thinks excision would be better. I want it out.
To tell you the truth no one has really told me much at all except it is rare in men and rarer with younger age. We are not sure what the lump is in your chest “it may be a infectious or inflammatory process, but we need to rule out a malignant neoplasm” Thats it oh yeah the radiologist was kind enough to tell me the treatments if it was cancer, but he didn’t say if he thought it was cancer or not.
I called the imaging office back to try and talk to the radiologist, but he wasn’t there so the nurse who did my ultrasound talked to me. She said don’t worry. They have never had any male breast cancer cases yet. She went on to say she hasn’t heard anything and if they really thought i had cancer they would be talking about it around the office. No one has told me that it looks “suspicious” or like “cancer” All I have is the ultrasound report with a description of the mass. I found out online that the description of the mass is suspect for cancer. Wouldn’t they tell me something if they thought it was cancer or do they just not say anything because they don’t know? After this is over I am going to find a new doctor.
Dear jonjoj
I don’t think you should get a new doctor. Until you have the lump examined under a microscope you cannot say what kind of cells it is made up of. The ultrasound can only show whether it is solid or liquid, and give an idea of its shape. I’ve seen pictures of lumps both benign and cancerous on ultrasound and it is very difficult to distinguish between them. Maybe if you see loads and loads of cases, yes, otherwise no.
You are anxious and your mind is running away with you. Although horrible, I found my diagnosis was a relief because at least I knew what I had and could have treatment for it. I am now five years down the line, and in the last five years I have been to the US, NZ, India, Italy, and to work, got a new job etc
They won’t tell you that you have cancer until they’re sure because otherwise it would distress you more. the rarity of male breast cancer probably makes them more cautious
good luck
Mole
Sorry I have edited my post, it was late last night and I put scan but meant biopsy!
One other thing I thought also was if they were really concerned it was cancer they would have not given you the option of antibiotics and see how it goes, they would have had you in quickly to do histology tests, I hope this helps.
J xxxx
Molennium: I too have seen lots of pictures of both benign and malignant lumps and they do look confusing, but the way mine looks is scary. The report says lobulated and irregular margins… and a whole bunch of other stuff. It is just that my lump fits into the malignant category more that the benign category. I have found a few other explanations that would be benign. I am praying it is one of those.
Jules1964: I really hope so. The radiologist is from a different clinic than my doctor. My primary doctor’s clinic is a small family practice. The radiologist suggested a biopsy, but my doctor gave me the option for either a core biopsy or try antibiotics for two weeks and see what happens.
Thanks Guys this helps me.
I got a second opinion. I saw one of the best surgeons who specializes in oncology in my area. He has alot of experience dealing with breast cancer. He looked at my ultrasound films and rescanned me. He said it is not cancer. He told me it is either an enlarged or inflamed breast bud or the beginning or gynecomastia. He told me the clinic I originally went to is known for doing things like scaring people into getting biopsies. He said it is how they make their money. I wasn’t the first person they saw with the similar situation. I understand that it is better to be safe than sorry, but the radiologist at the first clinic i went to was an cold ass. I trust this doctor more he treated me like a person and really made an effort to make me understand everything. He ordered a blood test to check my hormones and another appointment in a month to view the results and rescan me with an ultrasound. He told me that he could remove it if I wanted. He said there is no need to do that for any reason other than comfort and he said that it is almost guarnteed that the pathology report would show it as benign. I am going to do the blood work ( hopefully good ) and then have him remove it for piece of mind. As of now I feel alot better I would say about 80% still catch myself thinking “what if?”
I would appreciate any feedback you have.
Thank you for your support.
I won’t forget it.
Because of people like you I have decided to try and do something locally to help the cause.
Hi Jon
Thats great news!! You are right in getting it removed, it would only worry you if you leave it.
Take Care
Yvonne xx
Glad to hear that you have had some good news. If you are still worried then it’s a good idea to get it removed - then you will not have the ‘what if’ sitting there at the back of your mind.
Well done you too for deciding to do something to help the cause.
HI Jonno
Great news! I have been wondering about you, haven’t been on for a few days due to being in hospital. So pleased for you
Debsx
Hi Jonno
What brilliant news - thank you for your support while I also, was waiting for results.
Patsyx