Breast Nodule vs Breast Mass

I found a lump in my left breast about a month ago. Unfortunately I don't make a habit of performing self breast exams but I was feeling some pain in the area and decided to check and found a pretty sizable lump. I went to my primary care physician who immediately ordered a mammogram and ultrasound as well as a consultation with a breast surgeon.

When I went for the mammogram and ultrasound I was scared but optimistic since everything I've read indicates that a painful lump is not usually cancer. I was hoping that it was a cyst and wouldn't need a biopsy. When the radiologist came in to talk to me I knew it wasn't a cyst He said that the mass was concerning and needed to be biopsied. I had my consultation with the breast surgeon scheduled for the next day. The surgeon looked at the films and said that a biopsy was indeed needed.

I had the biopsy yesterday. The surgeon didn't tell me much but I heard him and the nurses talking. They mentioned how there was a lot of fluid, which the doctor said was good. Then he said it's probably a cyst and when the nurse was bagging the sample she referred to it as a "mass" and the doctor corrected her and said it's a "nodule." As I'm googling these terms I don't quite understand the distinction. It seems to me like it's the same thing. Why would the doctor make that distinction? Anyone has any insight? Thanks.

Thanks for your reply Bev unfortunately the news is not good...Cancer. The shock is slowly beginning to fade and its being replaced by a fear i've never experienced before. I can't sleep, I can't eat and where I would normally read the pathology report and google the findings I'm too scared to know what it all means. The surgeon suggested a lumpectomy and scheduled it for Monday. Today I decided I should get a second opinion and I cancelled the surgery and scheduled an appointment with another surgeon for Wednesday. I don't know what to do with myself, how do I tell my kids, my parents. I can barely talk about it with my husband. I don't know how I am going to make it through this, I don't know if I'm strong enough. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Sorry to hear that you are having to join our group, but glad to hear you are being proactive by getting a second opinion. Good for you!

I was 36 when I was diagnosed with invasive ductal and lobular breast cancer. I had two young girls (they are both grown women now, and not far from the age I was at diagnosis!) I had lost my own mother to cancer when I was 7, so telling my girls and my dad... the hardest thing I ever had to do! Because I had lost my own mom, I was pretty convinced that this was the beginning of the end for me. And yet, here I am, 17 years later, telling you about it and feeling grateful for every day of those 17 years. When my surgeon confirmed that I had cancer, he blithely announced that "this is not the end of the world." And I remember thinking, "Yeah, that's easy for you to say. You're not the one with cancer. What are you going to say when you have to start taking out parts that I need?" So far, that hasn't happened!

Don't beat yourself up for not doing breast exams. That cancer has been growing for years without being palpable, so the time it took you to find it is probably not greatly significant in the long run.

You can get through this; most of us have felt like we weren't strong enough more than once, but you'd be surprised how strong you can be! Cry when you need to, rant and rage when you need to, but just remember that every party is best if it ends while you're still enjoying it, and that includes "pity parties!"

Take care,and feel free to vent here. We've been there ourselves.

Hugs...
BEV

Hey! You are right about one thing. This is a horrible disease, and it sucks to have to deal with it. Some days, you will just be putting one foot in front of the other, but that's okay. You'll still be moving forward, and you'll still be one step closer to being done with whatever treatment you'll be having.

Hope you're dealing okay...
Hugs...