Is this cancer?
Here’s a breast lump from a 17-year old girl who had it for a 2 years. It had been increasing in size and recently she started having pain. The question for the week is: “Is this cancer?” What do you think? Breast cancer or benign disease?
What is cancer?
Cancer is a set of cells that grow & multiply rapidly, beyond control and beyond the normal limits of that type of cell. Because of the rapid growth, the surrounding normal cells are disrupted and the function destroyed. What’s worse, cancer cells spread to sites in the body where it is not supposed to be.
she waited for 2 yrs…becos she dowan to reduce her breast size fr C cup to A cup..haiya..total ignorance la…wat else can i say….
First Guess:
I guess not. Main reason: very nicely encapsulated la. Side reason: the way u asked the question. he he…
2nd Guess:
Fibroadenoma. somehow it struck my mind, but i forgotten exactly what is that ard. let me check the dic…
Fibroadenoma: a benign neoplasm derived from glandular epithelium, in which there is a conspicuous stroma of proliferating fibroblasts & conective tissue element.
Hmmm… u said breast lump? Yeah! i think i’m right. Bingo!!! *perasannya
eve, but… but… must take into account the cup size for the other side too, right?
CSH, welcome back!! Good to be back online? Heheh. Wah, you’ve got a good dictionary, horr?
Oh my! .. Those “thingss” taken from 1 side of the breast? I wonder she having lopsided size for 2 years? Feel sorry for her. So young.
The tumor (am I correct to refer it as tumor?) grown to this size for 2 years and she still alive, my take would be benign. If its cancerous, I think she might be in critical condition, yes?
I tend to agree with CSH.
Nice demarcation. No break in the capsule.
guys and girls, a few things argue for benign disease…
… she’s young, but young women with breast cancer is not unknown.
… it’s been there a long time, but some less aggressive cancers can be there for quite some time too.
… it’s looks well demarcated and encapsulated. That’s because I cut it without taking a margin of normal breast. Because I think the probability of cancer is low too.
I’m waiting for the pathological examination report, but I’m quite sure it’s a benign giant fibroadenoma.
A gentle giant of sorts.
Well here is what sifu uncle George thinks (like it is important)
- 2 possibilities:
1. Fibroadenoma
2. Phylloides tumour
- how come no FNAC? Sorry to ask
Sifu George, thank you for your wise answers to my humble question. I agree with the possibilities.
Re: I perform FNAC (Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology, for the uninitiated) or core needle biopsy in 2 situations:
This young lady’s tumour was clinically benign and she was not thinking of keeping it anymore because of the ache caused by the weight. So, excision of the tumour was performed as the first procedure. This avoids an FNAC, the discomfort and the cost, which has to be calculated in private practice.
Good reason, sifu? Any comments about that ah?
Err .. the breast size back to original shape after the procedure??
I don’t think she can remember the original shape before the lump appeared. But.. it’s fairly balanced when compared the other side.
The results of the pathology is back… it’s giant fibroadenoma. That’s benign. Good for her.
My sister had something like a lump in her breast too. Can’t remember the scientific name. She said it is like the size of kidney bean. Doc just ask her to hold on. Lately she felt some pain and doc said it’s the muscle that is pressing against the lump. The lump is there for about a year plus now. Do you think we should wait longer for the worst to come? Oh, doc said it’s not cancerous.
HQ, i would refrain from giving specific advice for specific patients. As a general rule, however, all lumps should be assessed in three ways:
An assessment based on all three aspects together would be 99% accurate.
Noteworthy points, however, are that:
I hope this helps.