Is biopsy necessary after negative ultrasound and mammo results?

Hi there,

I'm 35, and just had my first mammo this morning.  I discovered a large lump (approx. 1/2" by 1 1/2" long) on my right breast, at 12:00, about 6 weeks ago.  It appeared almost overnight, and has not changed size, shape or location.  According to my films and the results of the ultrasound, the lump is nothing more than fibroglandular tissue.  I have a follow-up appointment scheduled for August 1.  Should I push for a biopsy? I am very concerned about this, despite the negative findings.  We are seen on a military post, and although the dr's there are good, I am not comfortable taking their diagnosis at face value.  I'm afraid if I don't request a biopsy (or something else to determine the true nature of this lump) that I'll be in and out of there in 10 minutes w/out any answers.  My PCM has NOT seen the lump, I had found it myself and called and requested a referral to mammography here at the hospital.  Am I worrying too much? Or, should I just accept that is what this lump is, ie:normal breast tissue?  Thanks in advance for your opinions.

[CCF-RN,MSN-JS]

Dear kwlorax, Without benefit of physical examination or ability to ask questions it is impossible to say what this lump may be.  Results from an ultrasound may be more or less suspicious but need to be put into context.  This is best done by having your doctor see the lump and discussion as to whether or not further evaluation should be pursued.  Mammogram and ultrasound findings always need to be interpreted in the context of the findings on examination.

[lizziecee]

My surgeon told me the only good lump is one in a jar!
Mine was not palpable and only found on 3 yrly mammo - it was 2 cm and had spread to the lymph nodes. The biopsy does not hurt, they give you local anaesthetic and left no scar. I would definitely push to have your lump biopsied - 95% of the time it is not malignant, but I would want to make sure.
Take care. Liz.

[healthcareguerilla]

First of all -- don't let them see you in and out in 10 minutes.  Can you drop off a list of questions ahead of time?

Perhaps you would feel comfortable if you had a second opinion on the ultrasound results, and another clinical exam elsewhere. You should be able to have the films/digital images sent to anyone you want.

"What if?" will drive you mad.  And our breasts do get benign cysts and other manifestations.

I appreciate that how lizecee proceeded was absolutely right for her, perhaps her intuition spoke clearly on this, and I do very much believe in following your non-fear-based intuition.

Scars occur with surgery, whether highly visible or not.  

My experience in working with a Nurse Practitioner who was in the military was that she gave excellent care.  Her training was impeccable.  I wish I knew where she was now, in fact.

If this is determined to be fibroglandular tissue by more than one Medical Doctor and Radiologist, then it is absolutely worth considering throwing a warm cabbage leaf on the area to see if it goes away.  Also have you had an injury to that breast?  Is it cyclical?

But I would encourage you to research this further, and allow yourself to consider accepting that what you have may very well be 'normal'.  By the way -- round, irregular -- there are a number of clues that lead one in one direction or the other.  You need to have this information.  How about asking if you can review the films with a Radiologist.  This is a very, very prudent way to proceed.

The bottom line is, if you feel there's really trouble there, then you have to do what you know you need to do regardless of any tests, physicians, etc.

[boninclyde]

I have been following your post but have no answers for you. New to this particular forum. Found lump Sunday. Round, hard the size of a marble just to the right of the nipple. Would like to ask previous poster a question. Maybe to benifit both of us. I asked my OBGYN yesterday but he could not answer definitely. If doing a needle biopsy would there be any fluid leaked into the body from the lump after the syringe is removed? Wouldn't it just be better to cut it out and get rid of the lump? Just to be sure. It would seem something would have to leak from the lump into other parts of the body. Sorry to post on your thread. Hope this helps both of us.