Do breast pain and a lump indicate cancer recurrence?

Question

Hi doctor,

I am 38 years old and have along with a small lump. I was treated for metastatic breast cancer two years ago, e recently started noticing breast pain and have been on hormonal therapy since then. Could this be a recurrence, or are there benign reasons for new breast changes in someone with my medical history?

Please help me.

Thanks.

Answer 1

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I can understand your concern.

You were treated for metastatic breast carcinoma two years ago and are now experiencing breast pain along with a small lump. This could be due to benign conditions, a recurrence of cancer, or hormonal influences. The next step in the management of a breast lump involves triple assessment, which includes:

Clinical examination of the lump.
Radiological examination (such as a mammogram or MRI (magnetic resonance imaging).
Histopathological examination (biopsy of the lump).

Following these steps allows for a definitive diagnosis in approximately 99 % of cases.

I strongly suggest that you consult your surgeon or oncologist as soon as possible to evaluate the lump. This should be followed by a mammogram of both breasts and a biopsy of the lump, as advised by your healthcare provider.

I hope this answer helps you.

Please let me know if I can assist you further, and feel free to stay in touch for any future updates.

Thank you.