Ultrasound: lump has fuzzy border

[realtimedyno]

My daughter just had an ultrasound and biopsy--an was told the borders of the lump were fuzzy--not wild, but fuzzy.  Does anyone know if this means it's likely malignant?

[realtimedyno]

Thank you for your kind words.  I'm tied in knots with worry for my daughter.  Lizziecee, I hope your final diagnosis was benign.

[lizziecee]

I have never heard of a "fuzzy border", but my invasive ductal cancer was diagnosed initially on a mammo by a "spiculated border" - it looked like a starburst on the mammo. It did need however, an ultrasound, which my husband and I were shown, and immediately, a core biopsy.  Only the pathology test on the biopsy will conclusively diagnose benign or malignant. Riley and Dean are right - you just have to find some patience during this difficult time waiting for results - it is the worst time, but hope your daughter's results are benign.
Liz.

[Fernando Roque, MD]

Hi.  Lumps with fuzzy or indistinct borders on ultrasound may suggest malignancy.  Benign lesions like fibroadenomas usually have well circumscribed borders.  But the only way to know for sure if a lump is malignant is to do a biopsy.  Since that has been done, the prudent thing to do is to simply wait for the results.

[riley180]

The ultrasound generally makes an assessment whether or not a lump has fluid or has a solid interior. Decision to go further with a biopsy is based largely on this particular characteristic. Other considerations such as characteristics of borders or regularity of shape are less characterized.  Borders of benign lesions are generally ovoid, those with irregular borders favor malignancy. Those with a heterogenous interior favor malignancy as compared with homogenous. The doctor performing the sonogram generally makes a recommendation based on all the features to observe whether or not a biopsy would be warranted. Bear in mind, that the ultrasound is a presumptive test, meaning that all results are not confirmatory and that the chance of receiving a final report which is vague or equivocal is possible. Also that ultrasound is not as well established for screening as mammography is, for imaging features are not as well-studied. At times it is difficult to agree with a plan which calls for a repeat sonogram after a few months or so, but this is all within normal procedures we ought to accept based on limitations of the procedure itself. You could discuss with your doctor what the risk estimate for breast cancer is- if she is high risk indeed, a breast MRI may be beneficial.