Different kinds of ultrasounds? I'm puzzled...

[russgirl]

I had an ultrasound to check on a fibroadenoma that I've had in my breast for seven years. The doctor told me not to worry. However, I was confused that the ultrasound differed from the ones I was used to. I previously went to a regular radiologist and now went to a proper breast clinic for the first time. The ultrasounds of the radiologist were rather painful (lots of pressure on the breasts, especially when he pushed around the niplles to look underneath & sensitive breasts for the rest of the day) whereas the recent ultrasound didn't hurt at all. She glided on the breasts and didn't push the nipple at all. I know this one a professional clinic but I wonder how accurate the ultrasounds are and why there are differences in the exams. I'm a bit afraid that they didn't take me as serious as a *younger* woman.

[japdip]

You do realize that Fibroadenomas are benign breast tumors and re-checks are for growth of the tumor. When you get down to the bottom line ...only a biopsy of some type can rule out cancer or diagnose it. Fibroadenomas and cysts can be identified by either Mammogram or Ultrasound and sometimes both types of imagery are used. Evidently your Fibroadenoma hasn't shown much change since you aren't to be ck.d again for a year. This is normal for findings that do not indicate the possibility of being malignant. Regards ..

[russgirl]

Thanks for the response. I assume it was a different device because even the images looked different, as if they were from a different angle. I'm just a bit concerned as an ultrasound alone can't rule out cancer. My next ultrasound will be in a year and if there was something bad it would have a long time to grow.
Best regards

[japdip]

This could be merely a difference in who was doing the Ultrasound OR a difference in equipment. I've have several and none were at all painful. It could also be that your breast was much more sensative at one time than the other. Regards ....