Re scar tissue on both sides of breast - what could it be?

[athena87]

Mom, 63 , went for routine mammogram in Nov. The test came back saying that there is nothing alarming or causing for concern but question scar tissue that was found to be on both sides of breasts. Now, my mother has no lumps, nor has anything changed with her breasts' appearance as she says. So, it was recommended to go for a sonogram. Her sonogram yesterday came back inconclusive, and now she is scheduled for a biopsy of that scare tissue after the weekend.
The only thing she was asked was if she has felt pain or if she has done any 'work' to her breasts, no to both answers.
The only other thing is that she has had a collapsed lung on both sides, 2 yrs apart, and my logic tells me that the scar tissue is question is from the breathing tube and surgery that was required for that procedure, close to 20 yrs ago.

My question is, is that what maybe just be the scar tissue - from her surgery? Can anything lead to cancer from the above scenario? Why is this scar tissue in question, and why was her sonogram inconclusive when her mammo came back indicating nothing alarming?

[japdip]

Great news about your Mom's nodules and there shouldn't be any problem with their removal. I'll ck. your other post but I only deal with these Breast Cancer issues so I don't know if I can offer much about your experience with your Father's problem. Check back tomorrow in that forum, I'll try to get to it later tonight.   Regards .....

[japdip]

The length of time it takes to get results from a biopsy has nothing to do with the results themselves. It normally takes from 4 to 7 days since often the specimen is sent to an outside Lab for various testing and then you have to factor in on what day it was done and include week-end days when results are not usually transmitted to the Dr.s office. Stressing over these normal things is not going to help either one of you so try to be patient as there is always a lot of waiting involved. Stay calm .... Kindest regards ....

[athena87]

hi, results are in. Apparently, they are nodules that need to be removed. They are benign. They will be removed in 10 days. I had a terrifying experience with my father last week - i was so scared. If you know anything, I'd appreciate any advice - i posted under blood disorders.  

[athena87]

Well, no word yet. I called around 12 and they told me the results weren't in and that's not unusual. She said if they were in, we'd get a call before 6 and it's 5:40
I hope this doesn't mean anything bad! My mother is a wreck, she is very weak emotionally - she's a half-empty glass person, and though I try to do my best to tell her it's probably nothing, it's not working. Her negative state has effected me, as I haven't slept much and I'm literally about to faint from exhaustion.

[japdip]

It is common to leave the clips in  place so that in the future, if the "pea size lumps" are not removed, they will not be mistaken for a new finding as well as finding the specific area if further treatment is advised after the biopsy results are complete. I do find it odd that "pea size lumps" would be referred to as scar tissue but that is beside the point; just my curious nature. I find it useless to be told not to worry .... we women worry at the drop of a hat; it's just our nature I think but it would still be quite unusual to have identical lumps, one in each breast and to be cancer. Such small findings could be easily treated though if it were to be cancerous.
Yes I was diagnosed several years ago but was fortunate to have had surgery and considered cured. There are advancements made every day in the treatment of Breast Cancer and we are all thankful for that. I'll be here waiting the results of your Mother's biopsy so don't forget to bring us up to date at that time.  Best wishes to you both .. the waiting is the worst and I have heard this from many women since I've been active on this Forum, about 14 years now I believe.   Take care .....

[japdip]

Definitely NOT ... there are many things discovered in breast tissue that are not "normal" that certainly are not cancer. You can feel assured that the biopsy results will tell all. I still say that to have something very serious involving both breasts, although not impossible, would be quite rare indeed.

[athena87]

Well, we just got back. I went in with her and spoke to the doc and it looks like she has 2 pea-size lumps on both breasts. That's what the biopsy is for. My mother claimed no one told her and that she was just told about scar tissue.

So he proceeds to say that  they are very small and that it might or might not be cancerous, and if so, they will be removed. He continued to say that there are so many ways to combat this now and to not worry. He sounded optimistic and never gave the impression of anything spreading. He examined her and it went well. She we wait now this whole week or so.

Have you been diagnosed? Is this a cancer diagnosis, pea-sized lumps? They had some time finding them with the biopsy b/c they looked small. What is your opinion? Truth is, it still could be nothing. They also left two 'clips' inside, saying that they'll use them as a way to keep track, i guess, for future mammo. Is that common? She then had another mammo to see if the clips were in place.

[japdip]

I really can't even take a guess as to how long the biopsy might take; as a rule there is more time preparing for than actually doing the procedure. Results are usually available from 4 to 7 days, depending of course on the institution and the day of the week it is done. Please tell her NOT to hesitate to inform the staff if she experiences any pain during the procedure; no need to act brave. Kindest regards ....

[athena87]

Actually, my mother just showed me the results of her mammo and it was misread - her results had come back as 'abnormal.' So it's not clear as we previously thought. I don't know how we missed that one, which I guess is why she is scheduled for a biopsy. Her English is not well, we are Greek, so she didn't understand it when she read it. So, i'm hoping it still isn't something to worry about. But I am reading an abnormal mammo does not mean cancer.

[athena87]

Thanks for your reply and insight. Actually, her mammo was 3D, so i assume that it was very telling and, as they had said, it captures a better image of things than a regular one. I believe an MRI was an option, however, my mother is very terrified of radiation and somehow she talked them out of performing it. I also think they probably didn't think of it as that severe of a case to proceed with the MRI.
In any case, I will take her after the weekend for the biopsy. Do you have any idea how long the biopsy procedure takes? She requested to take a sedative the morning of the procedure since, she doesn't take these situations well! I assume it will be a few days for the results to come in. I'll report back with them. Thank you for your insight. Praying it's nothing serious!

[japdip]

I tend to agree with you about the scar tissue seen on the films, especially since it's on both sides. I'm a bit surprised that an MRI wasn't ordered as well but a biopsy will definitely tell the tale and isn't really considered a terribly serious matter. As to your other question; each test "sees" different things as well as seeing the same issue differently and are often used in conjunction for this very reason. Although not impossible, having the same issue on both sides would be rare if it were something very serious such as cancer. The question about pain was asked because scar tissue can cause pain in some circumstances since this tissue tends to stiffen and perhaps pull the surrounding tissues; scar tissue has no elasticity. I wouldn't think that the scar tissue could "cause" anything else but it will be good to get the biopsy done so that there is no question in the future. All the best to your Mother .... we'll be interested in hearing the results of her biopsy when you get the report.   Regards ....