Can anyone help this Newbie translate biopsy results?

[osidemom]

Hello!
I found a pencil eraser sized lump during BSE in Sept. Had diagnostic (digital) mammo and us. Definitely palpable, but could not image on either mammo or us. BIRAD 0. FNA performed last week. Surgeon said it was definitely a solid mass. Doctor phoned and said results are "encouraging because there weren't alot of cells, as a malignancy would definitely have. Not fibroadenoma since that would have shown on mammo. The histology shows as normal." I will be going in for follow up in December...and to decide what to do next (more diagnostic mammo/us ? excisional biopsy? or just leave it if it is truly benign?)

I picked up a copy of my results today so I could read it for myself. Here is what they say. (I wonder if anyone can help me translate! I heard the doctor say "normal" and "probably benign", but somehow the words on the page tell me there wasn't enough to diagnose. I thought I would be relieved with this result, but now I'm left feeling like I didn't ask the right questions! It's been a stressful few months...)

Diagnosis: Left Breast Solid
(Fine needle aspiration):
-Paucicellular specimen containing rare groups of degenerated non-diagnostic ductal cells and fibroadipose tissue, Insufficient for evaluation (see comment)
Comment:
Paucicellularity and degeneration limit the cytoligic evaluation. Correlation with clinical findings, imaging findings and follow-up are recommended, as clinically indicated.

Thanks so much!

[japdip]

Basically you have been given NO diagnosis. Such a small sample is obtained with FNA that often a diagnosis cannot be made. I wouldn't "leave it alone" unless a more definite diagnosis is made. Not knowing is almost worse than knowing it's something serious. I would insist on whatever can give you a definite answer and not give up until I got just that. It make take another type of imaging as well as a more reliable type of biopsy. December isn't that far away so I wouldn't get too stressed over it but I wouldn't give up until I had the answer. If you need to get a second opinion then by all means do so .... whatever it takes.    Regards ...

[katarina777]

Great response, japdip! I would not have known what to say in this case but your answer is really helpful. (I know I am not the patient)

[osidemom]

Thank you for your fast response, Jadpip! After reading the report for myself, I did feel that it is insufficient information. That's why I wrote - to hopefully get confirmation of my thoughts, After these months of "hurry up and wait", it is definitely frustrating. I am absolutely going to push for a more definite diagnosis, and/or a second opinion. (If only health insurance issues weren't such a pain too...Ha Ha!)