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Posted 2/13/2012 11:37 PM (GMT 0)
Hello,

I am a member of another forum here and scheduled for prostate removal surgery in a few days. But the second issue which is troubling me is pain in left breast nipple area.

The pain has been on & off for past 5-6 months. The left breast is little enlarged and the pain goes away after the shower and the pain starts again in the late afternoon to evening.

Have been taking some high pressure medications for last 8-10 years and took some prostate reduction medications for a few months last year.

Just had bone scan done for prostate cancer prognosis, and bones are clear..

I am posting here for help on what type of doctor should I see? Talked to both radiation oncologist for prostate and the urologist - and they both said its not their expertise (although I think if its a side effect of any of those drugs, they should have known about it). My PCP is not able to identify the cause of this pain.

I just want to find the right specialist who can diagnose the cause of male breast pain.

Thanks for any inputs in advance.

Best
Ein
Posted 2/14/2012 12:54 AM (GMT 0)
I don't know where you live, but most larger hospitals have a breast center. They could probably refer you to someone who would be familiar with male breast cancer. Typically, breast cancer is not painful; however, this is not always the case. Do you have a family history of breast cancer? It is more common in men who have a family history of breast cancer (male or female) and is sometimes linked to the BRCA-2 genetic mutation (prostate cancer is also associated with BRCA-2. I didn't seek out genetic testing for breast cancer until my brother was diagnosed with prostate cancer). You mentioned also that you took drugs that are to reduce the size of the prostate. You didn't say what drugs you took, but I've read that Propecia or Proscar have been associated with increased risk of male breast cancer (as well as high grade prostate cancer-- as I said, my brother has had prostate cancer, so I know bit about it).

So... please follow up on this and find out what you are dealing with. The risks you have are small, but if I were you, I would continue to be proactive with this.

Glad to hear your bone scan was clear, by the way. Hope your surgery goes well.
Let me know how things go!
BEV
Posted 2/14/2012 12:59 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks Bev,

Correct diagnosis of the problem is the main worry at this point. Live in north NJ, and the prostate surgery is scheduled at HUMC.

Thanks
Ein
Posted 2/15/2012 12:19 AM (GMT 0)
Had mammogram and Ultrasound done - the lab has sent a letter that "they found an area of concern and a short term followup is needed in 6 months"..

What does that mean? Isn't 6 months too long if they really found something concerning?
Posted 2/15/2012 12:38 AM (GMT 0)
If you aren't comfortable waiting for six months, ask your doctor to refer you to a surgeon for a biopsy. Sounds like you have enough going on without worrying about "an area of concern." I really don't think that would be too much to ask for. And a biopsy really is the only way to know what you are dealing with. A little scar is worth a lot in terms of peace of mind.

BEV
Posted 2/15/2012 12:57 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks for the support Bev

Going for the prostate removal tomorrow :). Will start worrying about this again after the catheter is out from that surgery.
Posted 2/15/2012 11:25 PM (GMT 0)
Hope your prostate surgery went smoothly. I know it's not an easy recovery. Sending good thoughts your way.

BEV
Posted 2/18/2012 8:53 PM (GMT 0)

barkyboys said...
Hope your prostate surgery went smoothly. I know it's not an easy recovery. Sending good thoughts your way.

BEV

Thanks Bev.
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