I have a 9 yr old daughter with a lump in her chest, what are the odds of cancer?

Question

She has an oblong lump behind the nipple, started out about an inch long, maybe 1/4 inch wide. It has doubled it's size in 1 week. She's sceduled for an ultrasound late this week, but the doctor won't tell us what he suspects it may be. What are the odds of cancer? Does cancer usually grow that quickly? My grandfather died at age 45 from lymphatic cancer....how concerned should I be at this point?

This is a hard lump and is causing her pain when she's active (running, jumping, playing). Puberty has already been ruled out as the cause.

Answer 1

Sounds like a fatty tumor. They are not malignant but they look scary if you don't know what they are. Cancer does not generally present like this nor does it grow that fast. I hope it isn't anything serious. We'll all be praying for good news. God bless and keep you and your family.

Answer 2

The doctor isn't telling you what he suspects because he has a list of possibilities, some benign and some malignant. He simply doesn't know anything for sure and doesn't want you to get your hopes up and then deflate them, or to get you ready for the worst unnecessarily.

Yes, cancer can grow fast, but the fast growing ones aren't always the worst. Most cancer medicines work best on quickly reproducing cells. In your case, it looks like you were paying attention, so whatever this particular illness may be, you've got a good chance of catching it early, and that's what's needed for the best outcome.

Cancer treatment today is much better than it was even 10 years ago, so even if it is, it's not a death sentence. My own daughter had a biopsy a while back that showed cutaneous T-Cell lymphoma. This is a really slow growing cancer but that was about 6 years ago. She's doing really well. We don't know what the future holds, but then again, none of us do. When we saw the biopsy report, I started giving her Essiac tea, or the local equivalent. It's a natural herbal tea that some claim helps with cancer. Did it help my daughere? Don't know for sure, but she only gets occasional small spots on her skin where other children with this rare cancer are much worse off.

Don't jump to conclusions; have hope and don't let the unknown future ruin the now.

--Dee

Answer 3

At this point, you should only have one concern. Don't stop until you hear from the doctor.

The usual cause of any cancer, would be if it runs in your family or your immune system can't do it's job. After your in your forties you really need to take care of yourself because as your body's cells age and break down, cancer is more likely unless you prepare!

The doctor wouldn't be doing his job, if he got you up in a panic about something that may not even be Cancer! Even a growth in the body can be benign. Like a callus on you palm cells in your body can be stimulated to grow for any reason.

Once again, don't listen to anyone else except the doctor. Including me!

Good luck!

Answer 4

Its very rare at her age but of course possible. I do not know how fast cancer can grow. I can however say that it could be an infection or a cyst both of witch can grow quite fast. I am sure there are other things it can be too. If its cancer I am sure that it will keep growing at the same rate it is now. It can be a non-cancerous tumour. Good thing your getting it checked out asap.

Very good chance its not cancer but you have the right to be scared.

I wish there was a way you could let us know what it was when you found out. I hope shes OK. Good luck you have my prayer but its probably OK.

---edited---
Just to let you know I have been there myself so its common for lumps to appear all though out life. No cancer or serious or lasting problem so far here.

Answer 5

Don't worry, it's not cancer, a lot of times lumps or tumors are seen as cancer, but it turns out to be a false. Once you go to a doctor for an examination, than you'll know what it really is. They are the experts with medical devices that can determine if it's cancer. But at the age the chances of her having cancer is extremely, low, low!!! Don't worry my mom was 55 years old and she had a tumor like lump, but it wasn't a cancer. So, don't be tormented by negative thoughts until you take her to a doctor. But again, the chances of her having cancer is very low, very low because of her age. Unless if her family has a history of cancer.

Answer 6

Since you say that she is having pain in the lump, it is causing worry. Please have it removed by a surgeon and before that a needle biopsy if possible can be done.

The surgeon you contact shouldbe a surgical Oncologist and he will find out exactly waht it is and treat her. Because Cancer can also occur in young children and adolescents, but it is rare. Some studies have concluded that pediatric cancers, especially leukemia, are on an upward trend.

The age of peak incidence of cancer in children occurs during the first year of life. Leukemia (usually ALL) is the most common infant malignancy (30%), followed by the central nervous system cancers and neuroblastoma. The remainder consists of Wilms' tumor, lymphomas, rhabdomyosarcoma (arising from muscle), retinoblastoma, osteosarcoma and Ewing's sarcoma.

Female and male infants have essentially the same overall cancer incidence rates, but white infants have substantially higher cancer rates than black infants for most cancer types. Relative survival for infants is very good for neuroblastoma, Wilms' tumor and retinoblastoma, and fairly good (80%) for leukemia, but not for most other types of cancer.

I do not want you to take chances. Pleas attend immediately.

BEST OF LUCK

Answer 7

Rare! But not impossible. Maybe a cyst or infection? Is it rock hard? Cancer doesn't usually double in size that fast.

It sounds like it is a well circumscribed lump, easily excised and done away with.

Answer 8

oh god, I am so sorry that you have this burden on you, but really cancer normally does not grow this fast. maybe a tumor that is non cancerous, but with her being nine, growing causes lots of mysterious bumps and stuff, so I would try to relax, and I will pray for you and your daughter. I am really so that I am not able to hug you right now sweetie... the dr will see you two soon and until then the worry will only make you miserable...

Answer 9

I had the same thing when I was about that age. The doctor said it was just a part of my development and nothing to worry about. Of course, no one here can tell you for sure what it is, but breast cancer at that age would be extremely rare.

Answer 10

On the way to the doctor's, buy a juicing machine, carrots, and apples and making drinking carrot juice fun and make it delicious. Find a way to put the meat you'd otherwise cook for her on the back burner somewhere. See how many delicious looking dishes you can think up with pretty fruits raw.