mammogram shows problem 6mm nodular density with spiculated margin woried!

[kar1]

I have a strong family history of breast cancer. Had a mammogram last week which found 6mm nodular density with spiculated margin. I had rx for ultrasound but hospital refused to do it, said family history is not dx(I have had sonograms for many years at another facility with this dx). Now am told I must have more mammos and ultrasound but breast center cannot schedule for 6 weeks. Am very nervous all I have read says spiculated edges correlate with malignancy. Am very worried and don't know if I can wait this long for test and then what the next step would be. Would appreciate any input. Thanks

[ang2305]

A related discussion, 6mm Nodule was started.

[Naniam]

Elainehz has posted under many of the questions posed on this site today.  BEWARE:  She is only peddling her wares.  This makes me very angry and I highly resent someone coming and playing games with our emotions.

[boninclyde]

I will check these web sites. Thank you so much.

[Naniam]

Hi, posted a response at one of the other questions where we had talked.  Read up on DCIS (ductal carcinoma in situ) as this means it hasn't spread outside of the breast ducts.  I am  certainly no expert but that is why I questioned the mastectomy.
You can find lots of info on this and how it is normally treated
Here are several sites to check out, if you haven't already found them:

http://www.dcis.info/treatment.html

http://www.breastcancer.org/dcis_basics.html
(This is one of my favorite sites when I was reading everything I could get my hands on - think you will find it very informative and will give you a good understanding of DCIS)

Hope these help.

[boninclyde]

Please see my post at the top of the forum. Any answer would be helpful. Thanks for sharing your story. I will not fail to keep you posted.

[Naniam]

Please do let us know.  We all understand how hard it is to wait but just take this time and read and research and make a list of questions you want to ask.  My children are grown and I have grandchildren.  My granddaughter was only 5 months old when we found my cancer - my first thought was "Lilah, will not know or remember me"  and I cried.  I e-mailed friends and friends/people from church, and they probably knew more than they every wanted to know about surgery, treatments and bad experiences.  It got to be kind of funny after a while because everything that was supposed to be a simple procedure got more complicated with me.  An example was that they were putting in my port-a-cath and it was supposed to take an hour.  It took two hours!!!!   My heart started acting up and I they told me they would give me medicine and I wouldn't remember anything - well that didn't work either!!!!!!  The radiologist was frustrated as he told me my vein was narrow and ask if I had had one of these before - no- so he told me then I was born that way.  I was so bruised and then when that drained into my good breast it looked worse than the one from the lumpectomy!!!!
I had the shakes so bad by the time they finished, they sent me home in a hospital blanket, I objected and said I would be fine through clattering teeth but they made me.  When you look back you can laugh - whatever you find out, you will make it.  There are lots of breast cancer patients that are more than willing to talk or be there for you.  Remember, let us know.  Blessings.

[boninclyde]

Thank you so very much for sharing. It helps to know about others who have been through the same sort of thing. I'll keep you posted. Talk more later.

[Naniam]

Hi gals,  my 2.5 cm. spiculate mass did turn out to be invasive ductal carcinoma (the most common kind), Stage II, Grade II - they removed 8 lymph nodes which were all free of cancer.  I did receive chemo, Cytoxan and Adriamycin and then had 36 radiation treatments.  I finished the radiation in March.  I also had DCIS (ductal carcinoma in situ - meaning it has not spread beyond the ducts and normally requires nothing further). I had two surgeries.  They didn't wait to biopsy - they took me to surgery and did an excision biopsy because they were 99% sure it was cancer.  After surgery they told me they had gotten it all but surprise, on my follow up visit was told the were still some in the edges of the surgery site(margins) and four days later I was back in surgery to clean those margins.  Again we were told they had gotten it all and again on my follow up visit with the surgeon, there was still some cancer cells in one of the margins.  The chemo and radiation should have taken care of that.  Did it upset me, yes.  It hasn't been a year yet so like all females that have had breast cancer you have to get used to not worrying about every pain that you have.  The thing is, gals, we just do what we have to do and we come out stronger for it.  You will have your moments of tears and anger and then you will be able to just put that smile on your face as I did when I looked around me, I saw folks that were having it so much worse than me.  I hope things go well for both of you - waiting to know if you have cancer is hard but so is hearing the word.  It puts you in "shock" and there are so many decisions that have to be made.  Read, research, ask questions.
May God bless each of you.  I am no expert, I can only talk of my experiences and I was truly surprised at how many females came forward and told me they had breast cancer - I never knew until it happened to me and no one understands until it happens to them!!!!!!

[kar1]

Hi thanks for your responses. I was able to make some calls and have an appointment on Friday for an ultrasound and more mammo views at a teaching hospital in NYC after I spoke to the office staff of someone I knew in NYC. Anyway could you please tell me what the outcome was of the 2.5cm spicualted mass. I don't really know what will happen next since I don't have an appointment yet with the doctor who wrote the rx. As far as why the US was not done , I was told and when my gyno's office staff called they were told it is not their policy to do ultrasounds until a problem is confirmed. This is a really good teaching hospital in NJ, but I think they have just gotten too busy and as my friend says I was "expecting them to treat me like a person". Anyway Friday seems like forever especially since I don't know what will happen next and am supposed to be going on vacation next week.

[boninclyde]

Do you mind if I ask how your condition turned out?  I had two very very small lumps. Not found in March when my OB did my breast exam. I went for a mamogram. They said I had calcification. DCIS I think they called it. They said I would need a masectomy. I had my biopsy Friday and I am now on pens and needles waiting for the results. Any support and comments would be greatly appreciated.

[CCF-RN,MSN-rf]

Dear kar1:  It is true that a spiculated margin is of more concern than smooth margins.  However, if this was a screening mammogram, the first step is usually to perform a diagnostic mammogram with spot compression to confirm that the lestion is really there.  It is not uncommon for there to be an abnormality on a screening mammogram that resolves with spot compression.  Nonetheless, additional testing is required.  It is not uncommon to be worried, particularly in light of your family history.  You might try calling the breast center and explaining the situation to see if they could accomodate you sooner.  Another option is to schedule an appointment at another center (you will need to carry your mammogram film and report with you).  

[Avidhiker]

I agree with Naniam.  Get in touch asap with the ordering gyn.  Have him send you elsewhere if need be.  Good luck.

[Naniam]

Hi. I am very confused why if you had an order for an ultrasound they refused to do the test - family history or not, the spiculated mass does require further testing.  I was called in for some cone views in my right breast last August after my mammogram required a closer look.  The morning after the cone views, my gynecologist called and gave me the news I had a hightly suspicisous mass and got me an appointment with a surgeon.My report was a 2.5 cm. spiculated mass with some calcifications that were highly suspicious.  I had worked in medical and my daugher in an RN and son-in-law a physician, we all knew that the word "spiculated" has a high probability of being cancer - note high probability.  I have problems with a center that has a 6 week wait to further evaluate a spiculated mass. The surgeon scheduled me for an excisional biopsy within a view days of my first visit.  Are there no other centers in your area or perhaps a medical teaching facility close by that you can get an appointment with them in less than 6 weeks?  Where is your physician that ordered the mammogram?  He should be able to get you an appointment for additional evaluation sooner.  What does he say about your report?  I would work through my physician and then if I didn't get satisfactory answers, would call a teaching medical center if you have one close by, or find another physician.  Sorry this is so long - I could not feel my breast mass nor could the surgeon - it was found on mammogram - and everyone took the report seriously.  
I wish you the best!!!