bigger breast

Guest · Posted: Fri Oct 29, 2004 3:56 pm Post subject: bigger breast

Hi,
I was diagnose in 04/03 with DCIS, right breast. Had the microcalcifications removed, then wide tissue excision, then 7 weeks of radiation. I am on tamoxifen for five years.

I have had different things happen with my right breast that when I go to the dr. it is all dismissed with, 'Well those things happen sometimes after radiation' The different things have been rashes, burning sensations, swelling, clear liquid from the nipple. So now I just accept things are going to be different with that breast. I have regular check-ups and just had one in Sept with mammogram and it came back negative.

My question, for the past two weeks my right breast is getting bigger than the left. It is at least one bra size bigger than the left. Is this still something that happens? I hate going to the doctor for another symptom if it isn't anything to be concerned about.

Thanks for any responses.

leo · Owner Joined: 23 Sep 2004 Posts: 1574

Hello

I don't have enough experience with radiation to tell you whether it is normal or not. I would try to see your doctor again about this, or seek a different opinion.

regards,
Leo
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Disclaimer: this information is for informational purposes only. It is not medical advice.

BFagan2067 · Experienced user Joined: 07 Oct 2004 Posts: 54

Hi, I did not have a lumpectomy... well I did but ended up with a mastectomy... The reactions to the radiation that you are describing were according to my friend who had rads after lumpectomy, are things that she experienced up until the enlarging of the breast, hers actually shrunk in the long run. However, I would encourage you to follow Dr. Leo's advice and make that appointment. I know how you feel about running back to the doctor about these things.. sometimes I start to feel like a hypochondriac... however, it is your body and anything that makes us feel uneasy after the experiences that we have had need to be addressed. If the doctor still does not feel as though it is an issue, know that it is an issue to you and seek that second opinion. All to often there are some doctors that give us the attitude that we should feel grateful that we are here to complain and have concerns and they minimize the way that we feel... however, in the long run, we have been through it all and we deserve to have our concerns addressed. If you feel as though your doctor is not giving you the answers and the attention that you need then perhaps you should start to look for another doctor who is willing to be part of your team and not minimize your concerns.... good luck and let us know what you find out.
HUGS!
Barbara

Tracey · Guest

Hi,
I have heard many, many women complain about the radiated breast shrinking, but never anyone saying it got larger. So, I agree that you should definitely get this checked. I hope its nothing, but better to be safe than sorry.

penelopez · Senior User Joined: 11 Oct 2004 Posts: 165

Hi,

I had a lumpectomy and radiation and my breast looks pretty much the same. The only size decrease is the part missing that was cut out. You should definitely see your rads doc. Good luck!

Hugs,

Margie

ceegee · New User Joined: 21 Oct 2004 Posts: 8

Hi, I started this post as a guest. I have been to my gyno and she examined my breast and felt some lumps, I think she called them nodules. She recommended that I go see my surgeon and see if she will schedule a MRI, as I just had a mammogram in Sept. My questions:

1. What are the differences between a mammo, songram, utrasound and MRI?
2. I was told that I can't get a MRI in the city that is closest to me, but other people I know have gotten them for other things, so is a breast MRI different than another kind?
3. How common is it for cancer to reoccur in the same breast that had DCIS, but all was removed, and radiation treatments done and tamoxifen therapy (16 months).

I go to the surgeon on Monday the 29th and would just like to be prepared with good questions to ask.

Thanks for all your help.

Muttsmom · Posted: Mon Nov 22, 2004 11:46 am Post subject: MuttsMom

Hi,
Any of us, regardless of stage, kind, with/without node involvement could have a reoccurence at any time. I 'm definately not saying that is what has happened to you, but if you find a lump, you need to have it biopsied. That is the only way to be certain and I mean an incisional biopsy, sometimes the needle biopsies can be misleading. They can get clean margins, saying there is no more tissue around the lump and know that they got all of it that way, but the main reason I got a mastectomy, and then other was because there could still be cancer cells floating around, that have not yet clustered together enough to be picked up by test. There is not a test either to see if it got into your blood stream. I know the odds are very high mine did with being StageIII and 9+ nodes, but I have seen tiny tumor and no node involvement have reoccurences. Again, I'm not trying to scare you, but if you have any questions or concerns and there's a lump........the only good lump is one that is in a jar.
Nancy

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