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475472 tn?1210034033

Should I get second opinion

I recently found a lump in my left breast. I had ultrsound that showed nothing, and went to see a surgeon that didn't want ot do a biopsy. THe surgeon just said it was fibrocystic breasts. I have a tenderness in the breast frequently ( surges of pain through out the day), as well as tightness in my shoulder and a burning feeling in my ribcage. Has the doctor taken the proper steps to ensure that this is fibrocystic breasts? If so, is the pain in the shoulder and ribcage normal?  I don't know if I should be relating all the pain to my breast of if there may be completly different. I am 28 yrs. old. I have a lost a ton of sleep over this. I just want to get back to being fun mommy.
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Avatar universal
I'm going through the same situation right now.  However, my doctor is being a lot more proactive about it which both makes me happy and scares me all at the sametime!

I found a lump 2 weeks ago.  I saw my surgeon yesterday.  He said that both my mammogram and ultrasound came back negative, but there is an obvious lump in my left breast.    He said it feels about 1 inch.  He said based on how it feels and my age (32) that he thinks it is just a cyst...he mentioned fibrocystic disease.  Like you, I've also had some pain, tightness...etc on that breast, and through my upper arm and shoulder.  I alway attributed it to needing to see the chiropractor.  Now I'm wondering if it has something to do with this lump.

But because he can't be certain and since I have a family history of breast cancer he isn't comfortable with not checking it out.

I'm scheduled for a lumpectomy next Friday.  

I'm a nervous wreck about the surgery, but I really do need to know one way or the other.  

If you aren't comfortable with not having it biopsied then I'd insist that one be done.  If that doctor doesn't want to do it then I'd definitely get a second opinion.
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Avatar universal
Hi there.

For your peace of mind then maybe a second opinion would be OK.  Another test that you can discuss with your doctor is about having a mammogram.  Ultrasounds cannot tell a doctor much, however, a mammogram can give the doctor a clue if the lump has a reason to be suspected as malignant (irregular lump borders, presence of calcifications pointing out to a malignancy, etc).  If still equivocal, then other tests like an MRI can help.  A more definitive procedure to ascertain the cause of the lump is to have a biopsy and if there is indeed a suspicion for a malignancy or a doubt that the lump is benign, then a biopsy should be done.

Regards and God bless.
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