Confused about results - please help

Angielynn · New User Joined: 12 Jul 2007 Posts: 3

I'm confused and would appreciate clarification. I had a stereotactic biopsy. There were two areas they were to biopsy. The first was an area of microcalcifications. That went fine thank God, and the results were "no malignancy".

The other sample they were to take was a retroareolar/central breast nodule that could be seen on the CC view. They said it may be localized within the 12 o'clock position but it was obscured by overlying fibroglandular tissue. The second look ultrasound failed to demonstrate the presence of a cyst. They assumed the area was solid.

When it came time for the biopsy of that area they could not detect it on the mammogram, so no sample was taken. I went back for a 3 month follow-up mammogram The doctor wrote the following:

"Vague nodule is identified at the site fo previous nodularity. No suspicious persistent nodularity is seen on today's study although the nodule still is seen on the medial breast. This is likely a nodular parenchymal pattern. Patient should return in 3/08 for bilateral mammogram and ultrasound."

That's 8 months away and corresponds with my annual exam. The Bi-rads category was 2: Benign findings.

My questions are:
1. what is this nodular area and what does all this mean?
2. Am I at higher risk for cancer because of it?
3. Why did she order an ultrasound in addition to the mammogram?
4. What is different that indicates I don't need the biopsy now?

Thanks so much for your help!

brainman

Hi AngieLynn,

Unfortunately, I cannot answer questions 1 and 2 because I simply do not know. I do know the answer to question 3 and can take an educated guess on question 4.

Q3: Why did she order an ultrasound in addition to the mammogram?
A: It is very common to use ultrasound in conjunction with a mammogram to examine breasts for cancer... not unusual or surprising at all.

Q4: What is different that indicates I don't need the biopsy now?
A: My guess is based on what the doctor said: "No suspicious persistent nodularity is seen on today's study although the nodule still is seen on the medial breast." In other words, nothing has changed since your last mammogram and biopsy. Again, it is not surprising at all that they are not doing another biopsy at this time.

Unfortunately, (and this may at least be in part an answer to question 2), this does leave your cancer status up in the air and you will have to be monitored on a routine basis for any change. Do you do monthly breast self examinations? If not, then you need to start. If you don't know how, follow this link:

http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=6499

God be with you and give you peace.
_________________
Jim
Site Administrator and long-term cancer survivor
1992 Astrocytoma grade 2, left motor strip
2005 Recurrence this time said to be an Oligodendoglioma grade 3, same location.
My Story Part 1: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?p=7350
My Story Part 2: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=8029
Blog http://jimhawkinsport.blogspot.com/

Muttsmom

Hi,

You said that when it came time, the area didn't show up on the mammogram, and therefore no biopsy was done. Did you or your docs feel something abnormal? That's crazy that because a mammogram didn't pick something up, they didn't feel it needed to be biopsied, if I read it correctly. My mammogram didn't pick up my tumor and the ultra sound was read to say I had "B9 cysts". Both were SO wrong.
_________________
Nancy
2/14/02 ILC 43 - 5.5 cm 9+/16 nodes
Stage IIIA er/pr+ Her2-
2/02 MRM
FECx6 radsx33
Tamoxifen - Arimidex (chemo induced menopause)
4/03 SM w/bilat. recon.
9/03 expanders removed
5/04 repair reconst. disaster
10/04 Actonel for bone/joint pain from Arimidex
NED - 5 years
3/07 Diabetes
In memory of Kim 12/1/04

Angielynn · New User Joined: 12 Jul 2007 Posts: 3

I just spoke with the Dr. who reviewed the mammogram results and wrote the report. She says that when this type of thing doesn't show up on the stereotactic mammogram during the procedure, it's because it usually indicates that this is really benign glandular tissue which blends in with surrounding tissue. She explained that the stereotactic looks at the breast from multiple angles in a 3 dimensional way and if it's a true mass it will stay visible.

Does this sound right?

brainman

Hi Angielynn,

First, I am glad that you got to speak with your own doctor. She has better information than anyone on this site since she has examined you and knows your case.

Yes, that is what a stereotactic mammogram does. Just think about what a sound stereo does... it sends different channels of sound to different speakers and therefore sounds much better. A stereotactic mammogram does basically the same thing.

In my opinion, what you received today is good news and calls for a celebration!! Very Happy

It is not often that we get to talk about good news on this forum. I celebrate with you Very Happy

_________________
Jim
Site Administrator and long-term cancer survivor
1992 Astrocytoma grade 2, left motor strip
2005 Recurrence this time said to be an Oligodendoglioma grade 3, same location.
My Story Part 1: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?p=7350
My Story Part 2: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=8029
Blog http://jimhawkinsport.blogspot.com/

Angielynn · New User Joined: 12 Jul 2007 Posts: 3

Thank you Brainman! I appreciate so much that you're there to answer questions. This is such an intense thing. What a blessing to have access to people with info and who care!!!!

So what she is saying there does make sense to you as far as it being benign glandular tissue? She did offer me an MRI if I would like one - more to calm me if I wanted it because I sounded nervous. What do you think? (I'm pretty claustrophobic so I'd rather not have to face that but I'd do it if it were going to be helpful).

Muttsmom

I personally don't know of any test that is 100% accurate and I don't know of what that can make an accurate dx. Tests are a tool to show when there is something there (IF it picks it up) that is abnormal. I don't see how an MRI would be any more useful, since it can't dx either, only pathology when tissue is removed can.

Best wishes.
_________________
Nancy
2/14/02 ILC 43 - 5.5 cm 9+/16 nodes
Stage IIIA er/pr+ Her2-
2/02 MRM
FECx6 radsx33
Tamoxifen - Arimidex (chemo induced menopause)
4/03 SM w/bilat. recon.
9/03 expanders removed
5/04 repair reconst. disaster
10/04 Actonel for bone/joint pain from Arimidex
NED - 5 years
3/07 Diabetes
In memory of Kim 12/1/04

brainman

It is difficult for me to place myself in your shoes. I know it is wrong and sexist, but I still think of breast cancer as something that "only" happens to women Very Happy

. So it is really difficult for me to advise you on the need for an MRI. I agree with Nancy that it probably would not be diagnostically helpful at this time. And there are several other factors to consider. MRIs are not cheep especially if your health insurance deems that it is something not done for your situation. I am sure that is the last thing on your mind right now, but it may factor into your decision. Your peace of mind is probably more important than cost of the MRI. If it will give you added peace of mind, then it might be worth it even if it does not show anything new. I do agree with Nancy and personally would not have an MRI. But that is just my opinion.

See how I am rambling? Laughing

_________________
Jim
Site Administrator and long-term cancer survivor
1992 Astrocytoma grade 2, left motor strip
2005 Recurrence this time said to be an Oligodendoglioma grade 3, same location.
My Story Part 1: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?p=7350
My Story Part 2: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=8029
Blog http://jimhawkinsport.blogspot.com/

Muttsmom

I'm basing what I'm saying on personal experience and ladies I've met over the last 5 years since I was dx. If there's a lump, it needs to come out. Too many of us have been told that it's a cyst, or you're fine, come back in a year, when in reality, had we waited, we would have been SO much worse off, then we were when dx. Some who waited had slow growing tumors and still had early stage BC when a doc finally decided it was time for the lump to come out. This is NOT to say that all lumps are breast cancer, but I'm so thankful that I called a surgeon myself when I was told by 2 docs that I had nothing to worry about. There's a saying that lumps belong in a jar, not in our breast. With that said, if you have lumps during your period and they go away, then those kind of chances do happen during that time, but one that doesn't go away and wasn't there before is "suspicious" any way you look at it.

I needed to know what the lump was that I knew wasn't there before, and thank God I did.

We all have to do what we feel most comfortable with and what we can live with, with no regrets. If you feel confident that the tests are accurate, then of course that's your choice and your right to make that choice. I know I'd want to know for sure, because that's exactly the choice I had when I was dx. Please don't let the fear of having cancer be the reason that you're content with not having anything else done.

That's all I can say and I'm just trying to help.
_________________
Nancy
2/14/02 ILC 43 - 5.5 cm 9+/16 nodes
Stage IIIA er/pr+ Her2-
2/02 MRM
FECx6 radsx33
Tamoxifen - Arimidex (chemo induced menopause)
4/03 SM w/bilat. recon.
9/03 expanders removed
5/04 repair reconst. disaster
10/04 Actonel for bone/joint pain from Arimidex
NED - 5 years
3/07 Diabetes
In memory of Kim 12/1/04

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