can it be cancer??!!!

[lana99]

Hello, I'm 41 and had my 1st mammogram on 05/10. I was called back for spot compression and ultrasound, which is scheduled for nex Thursday. The report sais "There is an area of architectural distortion - assimetric breast tissue. Location - posterior left breast in the 2 o'clock region". When i examine my breast i can fill something solid inside and also it is painfull (and it was really painfull during the mammogram). I'm going crazy - can it be cancer??!!!

[japdip]

Anything is possible but I doubt that this might be cancer. It isn't unusual to be called back for additional films, especially after a first screening mammogram when there are no films for comparison. Often these areas will disappear on spot compression ..... they can be only some breast tissue that has folded over on itself and will smooth out on compression views. You may be feeling a lumpiness within your breast tissue which also isn't unusual. I think you need to calm down and just take things one step at a time; worrying isn't going to help anything. Regards .....

[lana99]

Thanks a lot for your answer! Its really hard not to panic, but hopefully you're right and it is just some folded tissue.

[rr1989]

My mother recently had a mammogram too because she had a painful lump in her breast.  Naturally I became worried, but I began reading on different websites and they said that the majority of the time when a woman has cancer they have PAINLESS lumps.  Once I saw that I was relieved a little, because it said that it may be benign or fibrocystic breast disorder.  Since you are having pain, that is probably a good sign that it isn't cancer.  Hope I helped at least a little.  Feel better.

[lana99]

Thank you rr1989,
I really hope it was just unclear x-ray, but the fear is still there. I'll keep you posted.

[lana99]

Had my "spot compression" and ultrasound today. US technitian said she didn't see anything. Spot compression report will be sent to my doctor whithin 10 days. I'm a little releived now, but still worried :(

[lana99]

my GYN office called me saying they have a preliminary report from spo compression and said i have to go for MRI and biopsy. When I asked what is there in the report the lady said that she can't tell me. now i'm waiting till wednesday to schedule all the procedures. should i find a breast surgeon for the biopsy? what about mri - should i go to any radiology or should i look for the place that specializes in breast radiology(if there is such a place)? And WHAT could be in this preliminary report???? Please answer - i'm soooo scared and confused!!!

[japdip]

That is true, you should not be given report information over the phone by anyone other than your Physician. I would look for a Breast Surgeon for your biopsy if one is available; the MRI could certainly be done at any hospital but I would think best done where you had your Mammogram and Ultrasound. It's always better to have all your films in one place if possible. Evidently whatever was seen on the first Mammogram did not disappear on the spot compression and therefore left a question as to what it might be .... hence the recommendation for biopsy. This is always the safest way to go when there is even the slightest question as to what is seen on film. In reality a biopsy is the ONLY way to know the true nature of any finding on film. Stay calm now and take this one step at a time and keep us posted, OK ??   Regards ....

[Marylou_II]

You already have your mammogram, now you need to have an MRI. Once you have both get a second opinion from a Breast Specialist before any proceedures. Once you are over that second opinion and only if necessary ask the Breast Specialist to refer you to a Breast Surgeon for the Biopsy. There are several types of biopsies so make sure the breast Specialist tells you and informs the surgeon what kind of a biopsy you are to have.

Good luck.

[lana99]

Thank you so much for your responses. I'm expecting a call from my GYN office by Wednesday. I'll definetely let you know how its going. Yes, its better to take one step at atime and stay calm unles I hear bad news. Another question I have - is there a difference between breast specialist and breast sugeon (i thought that would be the same doctor) and what is the best way to look for one you can trust? I live in NYC, may be I should go to Sloan Catering hospital (specializing in any kind of cancer) or its too early to go there?

Thanks again! I'm so happy i found this site!

[Marylou_II]

It is definitely good to take baby steps, rushing is not going to change whatever the results will be, take it easy and don't stress yourself.

As far as I know and when I had to look for my oncologists, I was told by my friend a chemotherapist to look for a breast specialist because they are precisely specialized in soft tissue but the ones I met were not breast surgeons/mastologists so I had two oncologists as mentioned.

It would be a good idea to go to  Sloan Catering Hospital I have heard very good comments regarding their doctors and experience. Once you have your mammogram and your MRI, then get an appointment with a breast specialist at Sloan Catering Hospital remember he is to tell you what kind of a biopsy you are to have and to refer you to a good surgeon specially if you are to have a surgical/open biopsy, if you need a needle biopsy or similar ones the specialist will know who to refer you to. It will not be early to see them if you have the mammo and MRI them simply get your appointment as soon as possible so you will have some peace of mind.

Please let us know how you are doing and how your procedures are going and specially what your pathology report says.

Good luck and again take it easy.

Regards  

[lana99]

Hi Marylou, thanks again for your support and the answers. At this point I need as much info as possible to understand in details whats going on and what to expect. I'm going for Breast MRI today and will let you know what the result is. Got my spot compression and US report yesterday. Here it is:
FINDINGS:
Spot compression views the left upper outer breast demonstrate island of dense breast parenchyma associated with parenchymal distortion. No suspicious calcifications are noted. Directed US to the area of concern reveals hypoechoic vaguely defined area without significant posterior shadowing or discrete nodularity. Periphereal vascularity is seen on color Doppler examination.
IMPRESSION:
1. Ill-defined hypoechoic area of parenchymal distortion and assymetry in the left upper outer breast. Developing neoplasm is suspected. Tisuse sampling by means of vacuum assisted core biopsy is strongly recommended. MRI of the breast with gadolinium should be considered prior to intervention.
2. BI-RADS 4C: Suspicious findings.


I understand that this result is not good, but still ONLY biopsy can tell me if it is cancer. Do you by any chance know any statistics for BIRADS 4C "fales positive" findings? My son is 21 now, when I was breastfeeding him I had inflamation in the left breast - can it be the reason of the findings? Should I go for second opinion before doing the biopsy or should I do the biopsy ASAP?
I really appriciate any input and info!
Thanks again for the support - I really really need it right now!

[katarina777]

I don't think a second opinion is needed at this point, lana, as they are still testing you, and with yout scans so far the next step that is really indicated is that biopsy.
No question about it.

It's not the same as when you were breastfeeding. This could very well be cancer, but then it said a 'newly developing one'?

The worst part is not knowing anything and that is what causes the fear. Once you find out, no matter which way, you will feel a lot better.

I am sorry that you have to go through all this, but should the news be not what you wanted, you wilol still be able to handle the reality of no matter what is going on/not going on.  KAT

[lana99]

Kat,
Thanks a lot! I scheduled an appointment with breast surgeon on 06/30. I'll keep you informed.

Thank you for your support! God bless

[ncmichigan]

Hi, Lana,
I just wanted to add my good wishes to you. I think the waiting for appointments and results is truly the worst part of this whole process. Please try to stay calm (easier
said than done, I know) and busy so you don't dwell on it. Pamper yourself a little and
try to do some "fun" things for yourself that will help the time go by faster. You sound like a strong, positive person, so use that to help you through the wait. Please feel free to come here any time for support. We've all been through this and there are many wonderful women here. I came here after my third biopsy that found LCIS, and I'm so
glad I found this site.
Sending you best wishes and a big hug (      ),
nc

[Marylou_II]

Sorry I did not answer before but I have not been well. I am so glad that KAT answered, she is well versed and knows what she is talking about, I happen to agree with her. Unfortunately a biopsy is the next step, you have advanced in your testing so a second opinion right now will not be of much help, a second opinion is best when you are diagnosed not after. You have been lucky for the biopsy type you got, it is a very small incision and stitches are not required. I will leave you a link so you can read how the procedure is done make sure the person who does the biopsy has the necessary experience.
http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=90348

I would have felt much better if your MRI with gadolinium had not happened but it is done and nothing can be changed. Never the less have your kidneys checked once you are done with the breast issue and be alert if you have any kidney or urinating issues, if you do go to a doctor ASAP.

You wanted to know about BIRADS, enclosed is a link:
http://www.birads.at/kategorien.html

I sincerely hope your biopsy will be fine and that it won't be more than a scare, believe me that biopsies are to make sure there is nothing malignant in your breast.

Take care and blessings.

[lana99]

Just wanted to thank you both for warm words and very helpfull info.  I had my MRI on 06/16, don't have a detailed report yet, but preliinary report is not good :(. Now I'm scheduled for biopsy on 06/23. I'm really scared of pain. Do you by any chance know if I can take any sedative medicine before that or can I ask a doctor for it? I understand that they'll use local anestesia, but I'm afaraid even of this ledocoine shot.   Any thoughts?


Thank you!!!!  

[japdip]

Please, NEVER take anything until you ck. with the Dr. who will be doing the procedure. Certainly you may ask for some type of sedation if you think it will be necessary but it is VERY important that you take only what the Dr. prescribes. Best of luck with your biopsy on Wednesday.    

[lana99]

Hey All,
Yesterday had my core biopsy. It was not painfull at all. I don't know why I was so scared. Now a little more waiting.
Got my MRI report as well. Here what it sais.:
FINDINGS:
The breast parenchyma is heterogeneously dense. There is an ill-defined, asymmetric area of parenchymal enchancement extending from the mid to the posterior plane of the left breast measuring 5.9x2.4x4.2 cm. This is corresponding to mammographycally and sonographycally evident abnormality. In the right central breast approximately 9 o'clock position, there is a 7 mm suspiciously enchancing nodule in addition to 5 mm nodule in the same area at 12 o'clock axis. There is no internal mamillary or axillary lymphadenopathy seen. However, the last one cannot be entirely excluded.

IMPRESSION:
1. Most likely bilateral multifocal breast cancer involving upper outer quadrant of the left breast extending from the mid to posterior plane, 2 suspicious nodules in the right breast.
2. BI-RADS 5: Highly suspicious for malignancy


Any thoughts???!!!

[japdip]

Only to await the biopsy results and proceed from there. MRI is very sensitive and can on occasion show a false positive but I would be planning to get that biopsy report ASAP and if necessary make an appointment with a Breast Surgeon as well as an Oncologist in order to attack the problem as soon as possible. If any opinion leaves you with questions then by all means seek a second opinion so that you are completely comfortable with the answers you receive.  Keep us posted please .....   Kindest regards ....

[katarina777]

Well, lana, it doesn't sound good after all, right?

What I wanted to advise is that with help and referrals, you try to get the very best surgeon available to you, as the quality, skill, knowledge and experience  of the surgeon will probably make the biggest difference in directing you towards the very best outcome of your treatment.

In my case I was first referred to a general surgeon and then the PCP I had seen first, and not my regular doctor, scratched him and cancelled the appointment that had been made for me a few weeks later. He instead called a breast cancer surgeon who was willing to fit me in the next day.

The surgeon was great, and did the biopsy right then and there, and scheduled me to see a really good oncologist as he was 99% sure what the outcome of the biopsy would be and he was right.

Please keep us up to date. Whatever it turns out to be, you can do it, with support.

KAT

[katarina777]

PS: And it may still be malignant as it is unusual for both breasts to be affected, and there are often false positives with MRI, and  then it is also unusual for bc to be painful? KAT

[katarina777]

PPS: I meant not malignant, sorry.

[lana99]

Thank you so so so much for everything!!!!! OMG the result of the biopsy is B9!!!!!!!! I still can't beleive it!!! It sais Adenosis tumor with sclerosing adenosis and elastosis. I'm not sure what's next, but I'm so happy!!!!


Thank you again!!!!!

[lana99]

My Radiologist called me yesterday. She congratulated me with B9 biopsy results, bust said that she is still concerned (??!!). She said that I must go to the breast surgeon, because what she sees on US and MRI doesn't correspond with the biopsy (??!!). Also she said that I have to check (biopsy) my other breast. She said that she is concerned that cancer might be missed.

Now I'm totally confused!!!! I thought that biopsy is the only way to find out if tumor is benign or malignant. i thought if biopsy result is b9, you can relax and live your life. But in reality i have to continue going to the doctors and do other tests. Is it possible that biopsy is fales-negative. And if yes, is there any test that can say for sure???

Thank you All! And best wishes!