My Patient Thought it was Cancer…

I recently had a patient encounter that threw me for quite the loop. While precepting for my residents, we encountered a patient who had a mysterious lump the size of a golf ball inside her armpit. I wasn’t surprised the resident had been stumped, as I too felt lost for a while after running through a series of questions. Of course, patience prevailed and we eventually figured out what was going on, and I’m happy to say the patient has recovered and is doing well!

I LOVE reading your comments and take your suggestions seriously. If there’s a subject you want me to discuss or something you’d like for me to react to, leave a comment down below. Many of my videos have been born out of suggestions directly from you, so don’t hold back!
-Doctor Mike Varshavski

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* Select photos/videos provided by Getty Images *

** The information in this video is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. All content, including text, graphics, images, and information, contained in this video is for general information purposes only and does not replace a consultation with your own doctor/health professional **

[DoctorMike]

Clarification*
Patient’s symptom actually started 3-4 days ago and vaccine was given 5 days ago (Dates were slightly off in video).

[liquidmorkiteaddict]

I love it when Mike tells stories about things that happen in his job

[Emesh]

Ehm. So when you asked “have you taken any vaccines lately?” The client didn’t think of vaccine number ONE that is on EVERYONES mind. This proves that the brain really shuts off when you panic.

[JackieOwl]

Thank you for being attentive to your patient and not dismissing her as just “hysterical”. I was “diagnosed” by my pediatrician and later adult doctor as a young adult as being “a dramatic teenage girl” when describing chronic pain in the abdomen that persisted for years.

It too 10 years to finally have someone take me seriously, and they found that my reproductive and digestive organs were adhered together, but nothing else was done other than the surgeon to ask how I was alive. At least now I know why I am in constant pain. It was a side effect of neonatal surgery that had compromised both systems, reproductive more than digestive, but now I have to watch my bowel movements to ensure I don’t get dangerously blocked, which was something that started happening at around the teenage years.

[SchalaKid]

Truly, one of the best things about this story is how the patient’s concern was being taken seriously, and considered thoughtfully. The difference between a dismissive “why are you concerned about this” and a kind “let’s explore your concerns” can be so impactful. Thanks as always for seeing patients as people! ☀️

[olf]

This was like a mini episode of House, but with less grumpiness and more optimism.

[DoctorAzmain]

What a brilliant explanation of how we doctors examine masses and bumps, and the importance of a thorough history! The key takeaway message is so important - see your doctor if you have even the slightest concern! 😊

[Panda]

As a fellow 24 year old female who has been dismissed several times when it comes to my personal health issues, THANK YOU for being thorough and asking questions and spending actual time with the patient; instead of the (downright frustrating) "You're too young to have these issues" "have you tried ibuprofen and heat/ice?".

And thank you for admitting when you don't know something, I feel like there are too many doctors out there who are extremely arrogant (not to stereotype) and in the medical field arrogance can be FATAL. I'd much rather a doctor be honest when they are stumped, then to (without logical reasoning or even a starting point) just start throwing random medications at it without further testing or consultation with other doctors who might have actually SEEN something similar in THEIR career.

I'm glad that you took a minute to consider everything you learned from the patient, continued to ask questions (that ultimately lead to the diagnosis), and gave them options in the meantime. Very happy for the patient that it wasn't cancer of any kind.

[GigaChadow]

“THE DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS IS STILL ON THE TABLE” gotta love that kind of you’re Dr. Mike, thanks for the fun video and glad to hear the patient ended up ok!

[ninjasylph]

Dr. Mike: "If a doctor ever ignores one of these parts, that's a big warning sign"
*Military Doctors have left the chat*

[edina]

Dr. Mike, I value a lot when You talk about the mistakes of young doctors. Since I am becoming one myself as well and I know a lot of medical students watch Your videos, I think a good video idea is to talk about young doctors with no experience, their mistakes and how to avoid them.

[justafrenchguywithoutamoos]

Your literally such a great doctor. Can’t say nothing more, fantastic. Honestly I can’t explain my high respect for doctors/sciences/nurse etc. They play such a big role in people’s lives.

[WatchOnYT]

"Then it hit me. We're in the middle of a global pandemic."
Yup. We know. We've already gotten used to it. Sometimes we're surprised there's a global pandemic going on.

[GuiadosporsuEspiritu.]

Dr. Mike makes me think I could never find a doctor as good as him:(

[Momitorap]

I’m a medical student and you really inspire me. The way you asked the questions to the patient is just fascinating to me. I really hope to be as good as you someday

[Noneya]

I love when a doctor can explain things in a normal, easy-to-understand way. Trust is key in your healthcare because, ultimately, it’s up to you what happens in treatment! It’s called a “practice” for a reason. 👍

[nathanielsuinan]

Sharing personal experience about his clients and detailed history makes it relatable. Thank you for this. I love you man 😁 ❤️

[tammycosby]

I’m so glad he considered cancer even though she was only 24. A friend’s daughter was diagnosed with breast cancer at 15. I don’t know all the specific details but she did have a lumpectomy and several weeks (maybe 3-4 months?) of chemo. She’s about 30 now and doing great. It just shows though that the Big C isn’t age discriminate.

[gchicklet]

One of the things I love about my PCP is that he's knowledgeable enough about mental health to take my depression into account with my physical health. Like when one of my best friends died about a month ago and my blood sugar numbers went haywire because I didn't deal with things well.

[g.w.hampton]

My younger sister had a growing lump in her side. The doctors brushed her off saying it was a lipoma.. it was the size of a large baby head. We convinced them to do a ca-125 and her count was over 1400. Under 35 or so is normal. She had metastasized ovarian cancer and underwent a horrific surgery where they took out anything that wasn't nailed down. She developed ascites and blew up like a drum several times and had to be drained in order for her to breathe. Not quite one year after she was finally dx'd she died. All because the Kaiser doctors said she had a lipoma. She was 44. Ps. As a close relative, I insist on a ca-125 every couple of years. I don't care if you can get false positives caused by other things. Mine usually comes in at 9 or 10 and if it ever jumps up I will as for a transvaginal ultrasound and whatever else they have to dx this silent killer. No woman should have to suffer what my sister went through.