atypical ductal hyperplasia and apocrine metaplasia

hi, my dr found a lump in my right breast during a physical and sent me for a mammogram. it turned out to be a fluid filled sac. But they also found suspicious calcifications in my right breast and said i needed a biopsy done immediately. the results came back normal or so I thought. I was called back with the tech saying she wasn't happy with how the biopsy went and said I needed a stereotatic biopsy done. The results stated I had atypical ductal hyperplasia and apocrine metaplasia. (also something about columnar foci but do not recall all about that).They said I needed to go for a mammogram every 6 months for two years so they can monitor this. What does this mean? Is this pre-cancer? I have read many articles on this and some have been placed on tomoxican (sp) and others have had lumptecomies..why is it different for me? should I be concerned? Should I push for more treatment? I have no idea what my birads came back as as no one has told me. I feel lost and confused. Please help:)

[zouzi]

Hi,
Apocrine metaplasia is usually associated with breast fibrocystic changes and it's a benign condition.However,Atypical Ductal hyperplasia is a precancerous condition that affects cells in the breast. This condition describes an accumulation of abnormal cells in a breast duct and although it isn't cancer, but it can be a forerunner to the development of breast cancer in the future.
For this reason, doctors often recommend surgery to remove all of the affected tissue and obtain clear margins.Others,recommend more frequent screening and careful consideration of medications and other strategies to reduce breast cancer risk.If you are worried and need to have a clearer understanding of your situation, I would advise you to seek a second opinion and a third if necessary to see if another Radiologist or preferably a Breast Specialist/Surgeon would also recommend a 6 months follow-up or decide for a lumpectomy.
The lump that was found in your left breast is of no concern since it's a cyst and it's usually left alone, unless it enlarges too much or becomes too painful then a needle aspiration can be performed to draw the fluid out.
Again, I would if I were you,seek a second opinion,just to make sure if there are other options that you could consider.
Wishing you all the best...

[ncmichigan]

Hi, Carole,
Zouzi has provided excellent information and advice for you. I would just add that if you decide on a second opinion (which I would also reccommend--I would if I were you) please be sure that you take copies of your reports from your mammo and both pathology reports to the second opinion appointment. Your BIRADS will be on the mammo report. It's really helpful to have the actual mammo films also. If you're going to another doctor within the same facility it's not as important because they usually have access to your medical records. If it's a different facility, it's really helpful for you to provide the actual reports and films, as some facilities are not real good about getting records out in a timely fashion. Here in the US you have a right to a copy of any medical record you request---I'm not sure if it's the same in Canada.
In any case, I hope you get satisfactory answers---keep asking until you do! I hope all goes well for you and hope you'll let us know if you wish. We'll be thinking of you.
nc