Member Comments are provided by individuals and reflect their personal opinions only. Under NO circumstances should you act on any advice or opinion posted in this forum. ALWAYS check with your personal physician before taking any action regarding your health! MedHelp International and our partners, sponsors and affiliates have no obligation to monitor any comments posted on this site, or the content and/or accuracy of such exchanges. MedHelp International does not endorse the views of any user.
Breast Cancer (Expert Forum)
spot compression
Questions posted in the Breast Cancer Forum are answered by medical professionals from The Cleveland Clinic. Topics include Breast Biopsy, Chemotherapy, Hormone Therapy, Lumps, Lumpectomy, Lymph node dissection, Lymphedema, Mammograms, Mastectomy, Radiation Therapy, Reconstruction, Self Breast Exam, and Surgery.
spot compression
by diligence, Jun 03, 2004 12:00AM
I have brest pain behind left nipple. Had mommogram demonstrates nodular type density which was spot compressed. On spot compression it completely flattens out with some fatty tissue within suggestiong this is fibroglandular tissue. no evidence of neoplasm. yearly follow-up recommended. My question is: I have pain always before my menstrual cycle and this is not the same. The pain is still there. Because it flattens out does that mean it is fibrogandular and not a lump (does lumps not flatten out)? Because this pain is not normal (like any other I have had in the breast) is a year follow up soon enough? And should I have someone else read the mommogram. I know that fibrogandular tissue can hide a possible growth. I am not convinced that this is normal and a negative mammogram.
Doctor's Answer
by CCF-RN,MSN-JS, Jun 03, 2004 12:00AM
Dear diligence, The reason to do the spot compression is to further evaluate the nodular density seen on the mammogram. Sometimes it is just normal breast tissue folded upon itself, with spot compression it is flattened out. Fibroglandular tissue is normal breast tissue, and no further areas of concern were seen. If the density on the mammogram was still present with the spot compression, that would be a suspicious finding that would require further investigation.
Breast pain is a common breast symptom. The reason for breast pain is not clearly understood, and is not usually associated with breast cancer. Breast pain is sometimes associated with hormonal variations and is then called cyclical breast pain. Noncyclical breast pain does not seem to be linked to hormonal variations and is often localized to one area of the breast tissue. Noncyclical breast pain may or may not be the result of an injury to the breast.
As this pain is different and new, having it evaluated is prudent. Breast pain is evaluated based on the history of the pain you would give to the health care professional, as well as a physical examination. The need for further testing would be determined based on the above findings. If you have not already done so, have a discussion with your physician regarding the mammogram findings and your symptoms. If you are still concerned having a second opinion is always an option.
Breast pain is a common breast symptom. The reason for breast pain is not clearly understood, and is not usually associated with breast cancer. Breast pain is sometimes associated with hormonal variations and is then called cyclical breast pain. Noncyclical breast pain does not seem to be linked to hormonal variations and is often localized to one area of the breast tissue. Noncyclical breast pain may or may not be the result of an injury to the breast.
As this pain is different and new, having it evaluated is prudent. Breast pain is evaluated based on the history of the pain you would give to the health care professional, as well as a physical examination. The need for further testing would be determined based on the above findings. If you have not already done so, have a discussion with your physician regarding the mammogram findings and your symptoms. If you are still concerned having a second opinion is always an option.
