Mammo/US question - sorry, but am fighting two battle right now

[mommy2two2008]

Good morning ladies and gents.  Have a non-thyroid related question.  Heck, it all could be related, I have no clue.  This is about my Mammo and US report because I don't know if the biopsy rules apply to areas that are not thyroid.  Maybe you do, -- here goes:

I just looked up the conversion chart for CM / MM.  If I read correctly, CM = 10 mm, so I have a larger than 1 CM (only slightly, at 12 x 5 x 11 MM ) solid nodule.  This does mean it is big enough to biopsy, right??  I have a 2nd opinion appointment with a surgeon and I think I am going to request a biopsy.  What do you think?

[mommy2two2008]

Hey TX - my only thing really was pain in both breasts, which my doc thought was (and probably still is) hormonal.  I have an IUD and have had some hormone imbalances since then (irregular period, breast pain monthly, etc).  In April, when my thyroid started swelling, I coincidentally did not have a period but had major breast pain (in both) and have continued to have pain since then.  It only goes away during the week I am supposed to have a period.  When the blood results came back from the endo and the US on my thyroid (heterogeneous goiter - no lesions, just swelling - a lot of swelling) I e-mailed the test reports with a big long e-mail to my doc because all of this was happening at once and I had not missed a period since having my IUD for a whole month, ever.  I just had extended periods before that (they were light, but lasted for weeks at a time) and the breast pain was lasting longer.  He e-mailed back not to worry with the thyroid at this point but he wanted to see me about the breast pain so he could check.  I guess I have a different agenda, because I was more worried about my thyroid swelling and waited to see him until 2 weeks ago.  He DID NOT FEEL ANYTHING, but since I had this continued pain (BTW - I have calendared all this mess so that they all knew I was not crazy), he sent me for a diagnostic mammo.  I had it and then they did the US and that is how they found it.  The surgeon could not FEEL it either, so I have to have a US before the surgery and they have to put a wire in the lum so he knows were to cut.

I must tell you that most are not so lucky as to be able to e-mail their doctors, but I work as a paralegal in a law office that handles my doc's medical malpractice claims so he is VERY nice to me.  He really is a genuinely nice doc anyway, but I guess with everything going on, I took advantage and it paid off.  I sincerely wish you the very best.  Go get this tested. Have you met with your doc yet?

[TXMomOfFaith]

If you don't mind me asking, how did you first suspect something was wrong in concern to the breast issue?

[mommy2two2008]

I have not gotten a doc to listen to the swelling part yet, but then again, I don't go back to the ENT until the day before I have the lumpectomy.

I'll PM you Cheryl!  We are leaving for vacation Saturday to Tuesday.  So, I'll come home on Tuesday night, go to the ENT on Wed morning, go to work Wednesday and then get up Thursday for "day surgery" on my boob.  WHAT A RIDE THIS HAS BEEN.

[ChitChatNine]

Waiting is the hardest.  Actually the C word usually would spread the other way, right?  I really don't know .. just talking outloud ... but I'm hoping right along with you it is totally benign.  So about the swelling .. are they listening now??????

I'm going to be on vacation the day of your surgery, pls. send me a PM if you remember ok?

Cheryl

[mommy2two2008]

Thanks Sandy - My real big worry is that they say this is the C word and has traveled to my neck.  Scary stuff ---- BUT - I AM FINE, I AM FINE, I AM FINE ---- this IS NOT CANCER!

Only, my journey has a lot of wait and sees.  Thanks for your support all!

[dai3symae]

I've been away and just saw this...I'm glad you're going to get the surgery.  I'll be keeping you in my thoughts and waiting for the results....

Good Luck :)

Sandy

[mommy2two2008]

Saw the surgeon and he suggested removal before I demanded.  Good to know we had the same thoughts on the issue.  Surgery scheduled for 7/31.

[mommy2two2008]

My mom has fibrocystic breast disease and apparently I have it too.  That is why my mammo said extremely dense breast tissue.  Anyway, my journal has the preliminary report.  They gave me a BIRAD 3 scoring, which is slap in the middle - I guess they think that is supposed to comfort me.  Turning 30 in January was supposed to be a great thing (I freaked at 25, but had a great time turning 30), but it seems that 30 years old freaked my body out!!!  Anyway, 2 days til I see the surgeon.  Going to pick up a copy of my films today.  I guess we shall see and only GOD knows!  I talked it over with my mom and she said she had 2 biopsies before they told her she had the fibrocystic disease.  Wow, heredity stinks!  I just want to be sure, ya know.

Again, thanks all and Hugs to all of you! ~Kim

[ChitChatNine]

The same place they did my FNA for my thyroid they primarily do breast biopsies.  WITHOUT A DOUBT get a FNA ...you need to know and nothing to take any chance on whatsoever if you have a choice to be tested!

My goodness; I am so sorry you are going thru this now .. I am overdue for my mammo and will get it done soon ... I better .. no excuse not to for ALL OF US!!!!

C~

[ras48]

Dear Mommy,
I really feel for what you are going through. I have been down this road a few times myself. 4 times to be exact. The first one was when I was pregnant with my son. Since there had not been a  breast cancer history They elected to wait until after the delivery to biopsy it. Happy to report all were fibroid adnomas. The last one was the worse, it was very deep and I was experencing a lot of pain. It too was benign. I have been told that an excess amount of caffine will produce breast pain. I don't think I could function without my diet cola. Well any way I say better safe than sorry for your own peace of mind have it checked out. Same with the Thyroid. I still don't have my THS regulated. I'm hoping soon. It was at 12 so the Dr. uped my dose to 150 mgs. I would like to have a little bit more energy back. Keep us informed and don't hesitate to lean on us. Regina

[utahmomma]

Hey Mommy - Yeah, I understand about the body hating you.  Sorry but just know you are in good (if not falling apart) company.  PM me any time.  Man, I am so sorry for all you are going through!  (HUGS)

TXMom - it's called fibrocystic breast disease and, yeah, it's no fun.  I can't do a breast self-exam either because of it.  That's why yearly mammograms are so important - especially for us.  I couldn't find a lump with a map and a compass - it would be lost amongst all the other lumps.  :-(

All, take care and HUGE hugs

[mommy2two2008]

Thanks Utah!  I just hate this ****.  I go see the surgeon on the 23rd.  I am going to request a biopsy at the least, but I don't know if he'll do it.  I think I may have to throw a fit for it, which I am perfectly capable of.  I am however leaving for vacation with hubby, kids and hubby's entire family (mom, dad, the whole nine yards) on Saturday.  Anyway, my kids are looking forward to the ocean so I am going to see the surgeon then schedule for the week later (or whenever he says) so not to disappoint my kids.  Would not want to get in that kind of water after something like that, you know, I am sure that would be asking for infection.

About the location, I am not sure, it is at the "12 o'clock position" in the right and believe me, I am not "big", so I figure they could get to it pretty easy.

Txmom -- I only found all of this **** after seeing the doc b/c I have continual pain except during "the period week".  I say that lightly b/c these days, that is few and far between.  Anyway, I went in and they know me from my job so he checked it out then said he did not feel anything, but wanted the mammo to be sure.  That led to the US.  I think it shocked him there was a finding.  By all means, have your gyn check it.

Thanks to Jules, Utah and TXmom for your thoughts.  I appreciate you guys!  :)  I am starting to think I am going nuts and my body hates me so this place is a nice excape. Its also good to get some support since hubby hates to talk anything bad since his mom is sick.  Thanks gals!  Hugs to all.

[TXMomOfFaith]

Ok, I am just wondering and this may be totally inappropriate for this board but here goes. I try to that self breast exam on myself and honestly the whole breast is lumpy so how in the world can you tell if something is "off"? I am having concern over a bump or knot or something under an armpit and the thought of breast cancer has past my mind several times.

[utahmomma]

For the breast issue:  I know that they can do a small lumpectomy under local anesthetic if the nodule is close enough to the skin.  Do you know where the lump is???

I dunno, I've had a very close friend and an aunt go through breast cancer recently and you might want to be aggressive and just get it out and sent to pathology.  Yeah, it will probably be nothing and you'll be a little sore and have a small incision but you'll know what it is.

I'm so sorry you are going through so much.  I really, really am!

Hugs from Utah

[Jules77733]

No problem! If the biopsy will make you feel better--definitely have it done. It's your health, and no one can blame you for wanting to know what's going on with your body. :)

[mommy2two2008]

Thank you so much Jules.  Yep, still undiagnosed thyroid, but medicated.  How crazy is that?  Thanks again.  Going to request that biopsy.  You know, the thing that gets me is this, if it is cancer, then it could be breast to thyroid, or it could be thyroid to breast.  OR - IT COULD ALL BE SEPARATE.  If it had to be, I think I would prefer thyroid to breast.  IT IS NOTHING AND I AM FREAKING FOR NOTHING. But I want to be safe.

[Jules77733]

I just read a few sites on this and it doesn't seem like there's a standard for size of a mass in the breast vs. when to biopsy it, as is the case with thyroid nodules. It sounds like the doctor recommends it be done if there is a suspicion that it might be malignant, or there is something unusual going on (i.e. unusual nipple discharge). Your solid nodule is 1.2 x 0.5 x 1.1 cm, which would definitely be large enough to biopsy.

In my opinion, if you're really worried about it, I would get at least a second opinion to see if solid nodules and/or cysts are something to be concerned about, and if this relates to your still-undiagnosed (right?) thyroid problem. Since the breast biopsy appears to be a little more invasive, talking to other doctors about the need to have this done might save you some trouble. But if you reallyyyy want to know for sure, then I would definitely say go ahead and get it done for your own piece of mind. Better safe than sorry!

These are two websites I googled that seem to have some good information on the subject:

http://www.radiologyinfo.org/en/info.cfm?pg=breastbixr
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/breast-biopsy/WO00111

[mommy2two2008]

Sorry about the typo, meant to say fighting two battles....