NetWellness Breast Cancer

Small Amount of Fibroglandular Tissue

Bhuvaneswari Ramaswamy MD — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 12:10:00 EST

Question: I am 79 years old. I discovered 2 cyst-like lumps on my right breast, and noticed the nipple was inverted. I just had a mammogram, and while the report says `no suspicious lesion`, it also says a small amount of fibroglandular tissue. My primary doctor wants me to see a surgeon to be sure. Now . . .

Answer: One of the major risk factors for breast cancer is age. So even though you have no family history and the mammogram was okay, since your nipple is inverted and as you are postmenopausal and older, I would definitely see a surgeon to confirm that there is nothing suspicious. Best wishes.

Ask an Expert: Bhuvaneswari Ramaswamy MD, Breast Cancer

Family History & Fibrograndular densities

Doreen Agnese MD — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 16:10:00 EST

Question: I recently had a mammorgram and was called back for a second digital screening as the first shows a fibrograndular densities that measured 12 milimeters. Breast cancer history with my maternal grandmother and several aunts. I have no signs or lumps, are fibrogradular densities normal?

Answer: It is very common to have fibroglanduolar densities. Without seeing the mammogram, it is difficult to comment further.

Ask an Expert: Doreen Agnese MD, Breast Cancer

Can Estrogen Cream Cause Breast Cancer 3 wks?

Paula Silverman MD — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 14:09:00 EST

Question: I`m 59 years old. Three months ago I had a mammogram they said was normal. Then just three weeks ago my gynecologist had me take two weeks of vaginal estrogen cream in prep for a PAP smear because I`d had post-menopausal shrinking in my vagina. I quit the estrogen cream immediately after the exam. B . . .

Answer: No, short term estrogen use cannot cause breast cancer.

Ask an Expert: Paula Silverman MD, Breast Cancer

Enlarged Lymphnodes Under Arm and Breast

Elizabeth Shaughnessy MD, PhD — Wed, 21 Sep 2011 13:09:00 EST

Question: I was diagnosed with follicular thyroid cancer about 6 years ago. Since then I`ve had enlarged lymph nodes in my neck. Now I have enlarged lymphnodes under my arms and around my breasts. Sometimes they are painful. I`ve had mammograms and ultrasounds, diagnosed with cysts. I fear that I`m . . .

Answer: Persistent enlarged lymph nodes can be an indicator of something more serious, or a reflection that your body is fighting off an infection. Generally, if your body is fighting off an infection, the lymph node enlargement resolves within about two months. However, if it does not, this needs to be fur . . .

Ask an Expert: Elizabeth Shaughnessy MD, PhD, Breast Cancer

Lymphedema

Paula Silverman MD — Tue, 13 Sep 2011 13:09:00 EST

Question: I have read of the precautions to avoid injections, IV`s or blood drawing from a lumpectomy side. But, I would like to know whether using the arterial line for surgery purposes, on the side of a lumpectomy where lymph nodes were removed, has no risk, less risk or more risk of developing lymphedema.

Answer: I think that would have minimal risk. Lymphedema is thought to occur when lymphatic flow in the arm is blocked, most commonly by a tourniquet or blood pressure cuff. Injections or IVs can lead to infection or swelling that can also lead to lymphedema. An arterial line is generally placed with steril . . .

Ask an Expert: Paula Silverman MD, Breast Cancer

Lumps and Bloody Disharge

Doreen Agnese MD — Tue, 13 Sep 2011 10:09:00 EST

Question: I am 24 yrs old 21 weeks pregnant. I have lump @ my right breast @ areola area. When I squeeze my nipple it had a bloody discharge. My OB referred me in a surgeon and said it was a intraductal papilloma using only breast exam, and he won`t remove the lump until I give birth. I no . . .

Answer: The risks of cancer are very low in someone your age. Bloody nipple discharge can occur as a result of pregnancy or due to an intraductal papilloma. It is most likely benign. I think that it is always reasonable to get a second opinion if for no other reason than to give you peace . . .

Ask an Expert: Doreen Agnese MD, Breast Cancer

Calcification in Breast After Reduction

Paula Silverman MD — Fri, 19 Aug 2011 23:08:00 EST

Question: I recently had an annual mammogram and some calicification was found in my right breast. I had reduction surgery in this breast 3 1/2 years ago. It was to create symmetry after I had cancer (DCIS) and a mastectomy and reconstructive surgery in my left breast almost five years ago. Could that calcifi . . .

Answer: Yes, calcification can be caused by the reduction surgery. About 10% develop cancer in the opposite breast over 10 years follow-up. If the radiologist recommends 6 month follow-up, the calcifications likely do not look too suspicious. You could get a second opinion on your exam and mammogram. You ca . . .

Ask an Expert: Paula Silverman MD, Breast Cancer

Mammogram showed Density in left Breast

Paula Silverman MD — Thu, 14 Jul 2011 16:07:00 EST

Question: I am 52 years old and I had a baseline mammogram 4 days ago, and my doctor called to say that a "density showed on the left breast" and he had me scheduled for more test? Can you help me understand this better? Thank you.

Answer: "Density" is a nonspecific term that means an area in the breast looked denser (more white) than surrounding tissue on mammogram. Additional tests usually including repeat mammograms with special views usually resolve the question. Often a breast ultrasound is indicated. Sometimes this ultimately ne . . .

Ask an Expert: Paula Silverman MD, Breast Cancer

Calcification

Bhuvaneswari Ramaswamy MD — Mon, 13 Jun 2011 21:06:00 EST

Question: I`ve had at least 3 episodes of calcification in both breasts over a period of 10 years, the last time being the right breast last year, all 3 times undetectable by self exams. Now I feel a lump, went to my gyno, he thinks it`s fibrous tissue but is sending me for a bilateral mammo (simply because i . . .

Answer: I do not think there is a reason to be very worried or concerned as you do not seem to be at a high-risk for developing breast cancer. But clearly this will need further investigation with mammogram and US if necessary and you are doing just that. So your plan of action is appropriate and hopefully . . .

Ask an Expert: Bhuvaneswari Ramaswamy MD, Breast Cancer

25 yr old with Throbbing Left Breast

Paula Silverman MD — Wed, 08 Jun 2011 23:06:00 EST

Question: My mother was diagnosed with breast cancer over 10 yrs ago. I am 25 years old and have thsi throbbing pain in my left breast. Sometimes it`s verfy painful. Others it`s not as bad, but still noticible. I was told I`m too young for breast cancer, and that breast cancer isn`t painful.& . . .

Answer: There is not quite enough information here for a great answer, but I will do my best! Your mother was likely fairly young when she developed breast cancer making your risk for developing the disease a bit higher. Also, though you are "too young for breast cancer", there are uncommon cases of breast . . .

Ask an Expert: Paula Silverman MD, Breast Cancer