Breast Cancer

[arju392]

I had the bilateral mammography and left breast ultrasound on June 6/11, my first ever,  and the result came back very disturbing to me and to my husband, it worry. I don't know in the family had a breast cancer but some other kind of cancer.  Please help explain to me further regarding this result.
FINDINGS:
Very extensive residual parenchyma is demonstrated in all quadrants of both breasts. On the mediolateral oblique film there is suggestion of a small nodule posteriorly in the mid portion of the left breast.  Ultrasound of the clinically palpable nodule in the upper outer aspect of the left breast demonstrates vascular somewhat ill-defined hypoechoic solid nodule measuring approx 6mm in diameter. Findings are suspicious and either ultrasound-guided core biopsy or excisional biopsy are recommended for further evaluation. There is a small cyst situated immediately adjacent to this measuring 4mm in diameter.
IMPRESSION:  Solid palpable nodule which does not have the appearance of a benign fibroadenoma. Biopsy is recommended.  BIRADS 4 - Suspicious abnormality.
Thank you.
arju392

[arju392]

Thank you for this information, it's a great help for me to understand some of the medical terms.

[Tinabudde]

Parenchymal breast tissue is a description normal breast tissue, the extensive means it is thick, dense.  The  hypoechoic solid nodule is a nodual meaning it's solid probably not a cyst unless it's a hard cyst.  That nodule they want to biopsy because it is suspicious, now it doesn't mean you have cancer but it doesn't mean you don't, it means they need to find out what it is.  It could be benign, but if it's not you don't wanna leave that in there.  Best to get it out and biopsied.  

[arju392]

Thank you so much. My husband and I appreciate your time and effort and we'll keep you informed.  Thanks again!

arju392

[bluebutterfly2222]

Hi and welcome to our community!

I am sorry you are having to deal with this somewhat worrisome finding, but there is no way to tell exactly what it is until you undergo the recommended biopsy.

Many BI-RADS 4 findings are found to be non-malignant (not cancer) upon biopsy. (A BI-RADS 4 rating is less suspicous than a BI-RADS 5, for example.)

If by some chance it does prove to be malignant, the nodule in question is quite small, and would likely be at an early, highly treatable stage.

The best course of action would be to have the biopsy soon, so that you will either have peace of mind if the results are negative, or get an early start on treatment if they are positive.

By the way, most women who are diagnosed with breast cancer do NOT have a family history of it. However, those who do have a family hx in close relatives are at higher risk and often choose to be more vigilant in their screening.

Please let us know how things turn out by adding additonal comments to this same thread--we care!

Wishing you all the best,
bluebutterfly