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)
Mammogram results dense area
Answered by
Cleveland Clinic - breast cancer
Cleveland - OH
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.
Doctor's Answer
by Cleveland Clinic, Aug 15, 2007 07:43AM
, Aug 15, 2007 07:43AM
Dear Judy ro, It is not uncommon to need additional views after a screening mammogram. Breast tissue can sometimes fold over on itself and cause a shadow (density) to appear. Spot compression will often eliminate the area of concern. If the shadow remains, then ultrasound may be done to determine if the area is solid or fluid filled (cystic). Most of these situations are benign but it's important to follow through to be safe.
Member Comments (20)
by Montana girl 06, Aug 14, 2007 06:13PM
To: Judy ro
A dense area could be tissue folding over on itself, or it could be a supsicious area. It's scary to get these callbacks, but at this time there's not enough info to know what it is. It could very well be fine. I hope you're able to get in soon so you can get some answers.
by Carmen13, Aug 14, 2007 09:23PM
To: Judy
I too just received this news, but yesterday saw my general practitioner doctor and today my gyno. Both are recommending an MRI, and both did state that this is normal as we age, I am 43 years old. I too have no history of breast cancer in my family. I too am scared, but do more research, as I did and learned much information on the treatments and what they can be. Most of them 80% are simply cysts that are benign. Good luck to you..
by JennWA, Aug 22, 2007 06:36PM
I'm 35 and just had my baseline mammogram. I got a call back today from the Breast Center telling me that there was a "dense area at 3:00 and one node was present." I was told that this is very common and it could be a cyst, or just dense breast tissue, and the node could be that I was just fighting something off, like a cold or something. I'm going back in Friday for an ultrasound. Any experience with this?
by lukimi, Aug 22, 2007 10:01PM
To: JennWA
I am 47 y/o and just had my yrly mam. My Dr. called & told me they found a 'cyst' & that I needed to go in for an ultrasound ASAP. Tell me; should I worry. I didn't ask much since I got the call at work & was in between session with clients.
by Montana girl 06, Aug 22, 2007 10:07PM
To: lukimi
Cysts are benign, and fluid filled. If that's truly what you have, all is fine. However, they can't usually tell from a mammogram that a lump is a cyst. That's why you need the ultrasound. Often the US can distinguish between different types of lumps. If they're still not sure what it is after US, or if it is suspicious, they'll want a biopsy. Just remember, most lumps are benign.
by Montana girl 06, Aug 22, 2007 10:12PM
To: JennWA
It is fairly common to have get called back on a mammogram. If there is any questionable area they do an US hoping to tell what type of lump or density you have. I hope it turns out benign.
by JennWA, Aug 26, 2007 03:44AM
So, I went back in for a repeat mammogram and ultrasound. There were 2 dense areas on the ultrasound, round, 4mm and 8mm. I was told there were no "calcifications" and that you could "see light behind them," which the radiologist said was a good sign. She also said they were "well-defined. They scheduled me for a biopsy in 3 weeks. How am I going to handle waiting 3 weeks?!?!?!?! Has anyone else had this? Here I am sitting here thinking I have Stage III breast cancer because they scheduled a biopsy. Anyone had a good experience?
by Montana girl 06, Aug 26, 2007 06:27PM
To: JennWA
I've had 3 benign biopsies. Unfortunately, some of us women just get a lot of lumps (and in my case, calcifications.) There are so many types of benign lumps. Fibroadenomas are one common type. The fact that they're well-defined is in your favor. Lumps with poor definition or fingers are much more suspicious. Many biopsies turn out benign. The problem is that unless they do a biopsy, they don't know for sure. Did you get a copy of the radiology report? What is your BIRAD rating? The BIRAD rates how suspicious the area is. I agree that waiting is the hardest part!
by JennWA, Sep 01, 2007 01:21AM
To: Montana girl 06
The 2 masses were fibroadenomas! This has certainly been the scariest week of my life. Ladies, try as hard as you can not to freak out when you get a call back and even when you have to get biopsied. I was SURE I had stage III breast cancer, and it all turned out okay in my case. This board helped immensely. Montana girl06...thanks for the words of encouragement! Everyone...good luck. I'm sending good vibes to all of you!!
by Montana girl 06, Sep 01, 2007 05:56PM
To: JennWA
I'm so glad to hear your masses were fibroadenomas! Thanks for letting us know.
by Jen P, Sep 04, 2007 02:41PM
To: JennWA or anyone
Now I'm in the same boat as JennWA and also at 3:00. Could you feel anything or did they see it on ultrasound? They found 1 dense area on my mammogram, it is only showing up in one of the views and was present on both the basic screening and then the spot mammomography. The area of concern is approximately 2 cm in diameter. They could not see anything on the ultrasound (so it's not a cyst) and I cannot feel a mass or lump, a ridge maybe??? or am I imagining it?? I'm scheduled for a biopsy