MRF-Logo2019-Horizontal-RGB
A bit of a situation here.
REGISTER
The information on this site is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Content within the patient forum is user-generated and has not been reviewed by medical professionals. Other sections of the Melanoma Research Foundation website include information that has been reviewed by medical professionals as appropriate. All medical decisions should be made in consultation with your doctor or other qualified medical professional.

A bit of a situation here.

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › A bit of a situation here.

  • Post
    • January 19, 2015 at 1:35 pm
    Colleen66
    Participant

      Hi all.

      I'll be brief.  I'm 3b after surgeries and Interferon, stable at two years this month.  Last chest x-ray in Nov. clear.  

      In the last 3 weeks I have developed issues with my breasts.  Sequence of events are:  Swelliing left breast, at least a cup size, then pain in entire breast.  unusual puckering extending a bit downward from areola.  large masses of tissue formed, it's hard to describe but like a quarter breast would be very thick. the mass is very lumpy and the size of the masses will increase and decrease over a period of time.  I can feel at least 5 nodes in my neck but the area at the outside breast toward armpit is too lumpy and swollen to feel anything accurately.  The right side breast has followed the same evolution but with a two day delay. 

      My Onc. scheduled a Diagnostic Mam and US for tomorrow.  I don't know whether to think that this is Mel or Breast Cancer.  Most benign issues of the breast involve breastfeeding etc.  I'll be 49 next month and had a hysterectomy in 1995 but still have ovaries.  No signs of menopause yet so I don't suspect this is Hormonal.  I scanned some breast cancer types and Inflammatory Breast Cancer fits.  I'm not convinced it's melanoma because of area and the pain, swelling and large masses involved.  

      I know it's unusual to have biopsies during scan appointments but I feel like I can't leave that appointment without at least some type of biopsy.  Is this something they could possible do?  Should I become Miss Bitch and demand it?  With this evolving so quickly I don't thing a week between scans, biopsies, etc. is appropriate.  

      I'm getting the tests done at the Comprehensive Breast Center (Stephanie Speilman Center) part of OSU Cancer Centers.  My Onc is at the James Cancer Center so it's all connected and I'm comfortable with that. 

      This has happened so suddenly and quite frankly, I'm beyond concerned and pretty darn scared.

      Any thoughts on this at all are welcome.  

      Colleen

    Viewing 11 reply threads
    • Replies
        • January 19, 2015 at 5:23 pm
        Linny
        Participant

          If your surgeries involved an axillary dissection, I'm wondering if you could be developing lymphedema in your breast? But you will definitely need that Mammo and US to rule out breast cancer.

          • January 19, 2015 at 5:23 pm
          Linny
          Participant

            If your surgeries involved an axillary dissection, I'm wondering if you could be developing lymphedema in your breast? But you will definitely need that Mammo and US to rule out breast cancer.

            • January 19, 2015 at 5:23 pm
            Linny
            Participant

              If your surgeries involved an axillary dissection, I'm wondering if you could be developing lymphedema in your breast? But you will definitely need that Mammo and US to rule out breast cancer.

              • January 19, 2015 at 6:07 pm
              Colleen66
              Participant

                Thanks for commenting guys…

                Pretty sure iit's not hormonal.  Hormones all normal at testing 6 months ago.  Have no other symptoms on any hormonal issues.

                My lymphandectomy was in my left groin.  Surface node mass only.  Do have mild lymphedema in leg from time to time.  I really can't connect the two though.

                I know I won't have any answers until tomorrow.  Having a hard time waiting with such severe changes in my breasts.  

                Colleen

                • January 19, 2015 at 6:07 pm
                Colleen66
                Participant

                  Thanks for commenting guys…

                  Pretty sure iit's not hormonal.  Hormones all normal at testing 6 months ago.  Have no other symptoms on any hormonal issues.

                  My lymphandectomy was in my left groin.  Surface node mass only.  Do have mild lymphedema in leg from time to time.  I really can't connect the two though.

                  I know I won't have any answers until tomorrow.  Having a hard time waiting with such severe changes in my breasts.  

                  Colleen

                    • January 19, 2015 at 11:03 pm
                    JustMeInCA
                    Participant

                      Don't rule out the hormones just yet. I had those tests done last year when several other symptoms made it seem like perimenopause was coming. My PCP ordered the tests, which came back normal. Then I later saw my gynecologist who said that those tests aren't worth a whole lot. She said that symptoms are much more indicative (like heavy periods, thickened cervical mucus, being able to 'feel' when eggs are released during ovulation, etc.)  It would certainly be the preferable reason at least!

                      • January 19, 2015 at 11:03 pm
                      JustMeInCA
                      Participant

                        Don't rule out the hormones just yet. I had those tests done last year when several other symptoms made it seem like perimenopause was coming. My PCP ordered the tests, which came back normal. Then I later saw my gynecologist who said that those tests aren't worth a whole lot. She said that symptoms are much more indicative (like heavy periods, thickened cervical mucus, being able to 'feel' when eggs are released during ovulation, etc.)  It would certainly be the preferable reason at least!

                        • January 20, 2015 at 12:46 am
                        Colleen66
                        Participant

                          That would definately be preferable!

                          Colleen

                          • January 20, 2015 at 12:46 am
                          Colleen66
                          Participant

                            That would definately be preferable!

                            Colleen

                            • January 20, 2015 at 12:46 am
                            Colleen66
                            Participant

                              That would definately be preferable!

                              Colleen

                              • January 19, 2015 at 11:03 pm
                              JustMeInCA
                              Participant

                                Don't rule out the hormones just yet. I had those tests done last year when several other symptoms made it seem like perimenopause was coming. My PCP ordered the tests, which came back normal. Then I later saw my gynecologist who said that those tests aren't worth a whole lot. She said that symptoms are much more indicative (like heavy periods, thickened cervical mucus, being able to 'feel' when eggs are released during ovulation, etc.)  It would certainly be the preferable reason at least!

                              • January 19, 2015 at 6:07 pm
                              Colleen66
                              Participant

                                Thanks for commenting guys…

                                Pretty sure iit's not hormonal.  Hormones all normal at testing 6 months ago.  Have no other symptoms on any hormonal issues.

                                My lymphandectomy was in my left groin.  Surface node mass only.  Do have mild lymphedema in leg from time to time.  I really can't connect the two though.

                                I know I won't have any answers until tomorrow.  Having a hard time waiting with such severe changes in my breasts.  

                                Colleen

                                • January 20, 2015 at 4:16 am
                                Momrn5
                                Participant

                                  Hoping for you that it could be a bad case of mastitis. I have had s friend at age 50 develop mastitis over the time of just a couple of days.  But certainly also has hallmarks of inflammatory breast cancer.  You are doing the right thing and the only thing you can do. Getting it checked ASAP.  Hang in here. Pulling for you.

                                   

                                  • January 20, 2015 at 4:16 am
                                  Momrn5
                                  Participant

                                    Hoping for you that it could be a bad case of mastitis. I have had s friend at age 50 develop mastitis over the time of just a couple of days.  But certainly also has hallmarks of inflammatory breast cancer.  You are doing the right thing and the only thing you can do. Getting it checked ASAP.  Hang in here. Pulling for you.

                                     

                                    • January 20, 2015 at 4:16 am
                                    Momrn5
                                    Participant

                                      Hoping for you that it could be a bad case of mastitis. I have had s friend at age 50 develop mastitis over the time of just a couple of days.  But certainly also has hallmarks of inflammatory breast cancer.  You are doing the right thing and the only thing you can do. Getting it checked ASAP.  Hang in here. Pulling for you.

                                       

                                      • January 22, 2015 at 6:19 am
                                      casagrayson
                                      Participant

                                        Colleen,

                                        What did you find out?

                                        • January 22, 2015 at 6:19 am
                                        casagrayson
                                        Participant

                                          Colleen,

                                          What did you find out?

                                          • January 22, 2015 at 6:19 am
                                          casagrayson
                                          Participant

                                            Colleen,

                                            What did you find out?

                                        Viewing 11 reply threads
                                        • You must be logged in to reply to this topic.
                                        About the MRF Patient Forum

                                        The MRF Patient Forum is the oldest and largest online community of people affected by melanoma. It is designed to provide peer support and information to caregivers, patients, family and friends. There is no better place to discuss different parts of your journey with this cancer and find the friends and support resources to make that journey more bearable.

                                        The information on the forum is open and accessible to everyone. To add a new topic or to post a reply, you must be a registered user. Please note that you will be able to post both topics and replies anonymously even though you are logged in. All posts must abide by MRF posting policies.

                                        Popular Topics