A question for Dr. Leo

Minnlady13 · Posted: Thu Dec 09, 2004 1:09 pm Post subject: A question for Dr. Leo

Someone has said on another BC support board that her doctor can tell that the lumps in her breast are fibrocystic just by the way they feel. Can the doctor really be that certain? Just wondering, Lauri Question

_________________
Diagnosed 4/11/1996
Lumpectomy, 6 mm tumor
Neg. nodes
ER/PR+
33 rads
Tamoxifen, 5 yrs.
NED

leo · Site Admin Joined: 23 Sep 2004 Posts: 1574

Hello

Depending on the case you can be almost certain that it is fibrocystic disease. In younger patients, with breast tissue that is diffusely fibrocystic, with negative mammograms that is what usually happens.

best regards,
Leo
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Disclaimer: this information is for informational purposes only. It is not medical advice.

Martha Anne · Posted: Sat Dec 11, 2004 1:05 am Post subject: Re: A question for Dr. Leo

Hi Dr. Leo and Laura,
I had been told many times that my breasts were fibrocystic by my doctor who did exams by hand. Only when I got my first baseline did he discover that I didn't have that at all. It was not long after that my cancer was found. Maybe I am an unusual case. But if I knew a girl who had a lump and the doctor just went by feel I would tell her to get a mammo just to be on the safe side. I think after what happened to me I want to be checked every which way they can. I simply don't trust my body anymore.
PS - I got a clear MRI on the Sclerotic Foci! He told me that they were "unremarkable" and that he will watch them carefully to see if they change in any way.
Blessings,
Martha Anne

leo · Site Admin Joined: 23 Sep 2004 Posts: 1574

Martha

You are exactly right. Fibrocystic disease can only be called that if the mamogram is negative for any suspicious lesions. Then we can follow it with annual mamograms and exams !

regards,
Leo
_________________
Leonardo F - Webmaster Cancer Forums
Disclaimer: this information is for informational purposes only. It is not medical advice.

Kristen · Experienced user Joined: 01 Nov 2004 Posts: 60

Hi Martha Ann,
I am also one of those people, but fortunately my surgeon by feel and mamo and ultrasound thought it was nothing, it had none of the "normal" charateristics of cancer. HOWEVER, he wanted it out anyway simply because he felt he could not rule it out 100% and also he thought if it ended up to be nothing, that at least it would be gone and not hide any potential future problems. To this day, I thank God for a surgeon who was aggressive and not taking anychances...
1.6 cm...1 post node ER/PR postive and HER2 stonger postive
Kristen

Martha Anne · Posted: Sun Dec 12, 2004 11:52 pm Post subject: Re: A question for Dr. Leo

Kristen, THANK HEAVEN you had such a great doctor!

I wish only the best for you. Did this happen recently or are you out of treatment for a while?

I only pray all doctors are as aggressive as yours.

I am so glad you found it and it is gone!

Blessings,
Martha Anne

Muttsmom · Posted: Mon Dec 13, 2004 12:41 am Post subject: Re: A question for Dr. Leo

I'm another one. My PCP, the mammogram and the ultra sound all said it was a cyst. My gut wasn't comfortable with that, when I could feel something that felt like an egg. Thank God for going with my gut. As you can see at the bottom, my dx etc. If not for me being persistant and listening to my gut, I have no doubt I wouldn't be here today. I was Stage III.
The only good lump is one in a jar!!!!
_________________
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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