Hyperechoic Lesion?

[contentedsammy]

I would like to find out what the term " Hyperechoic lesion" means. In the report it said "Within the upper outer quadrant of the left breast are 2 well defined hyperechoic lesions with the larger lesion measuring 2.4 cm in length, it may represent large lymph nodes.Suggest correclation with more recent mammogram." this was from an ultra sound. I have a mammogram tomorrow but will have to wait about a month for the results. Is it possible that you can tell what this means? I have numerous cysts in both breasts and have had one biopsied two years ago and came back fine. it shows that some of these cysts are clustered together.The largest cyst is situated at the 3 oclock position of the left breast measuring 1.1 cm in length. No abnormal solid nodules seen in either breast. The part about the hyperechoic lesion is at the bottom of the letter seperate from the cysts.
So I wondering what the hyperechoic lesions are ?
I hope this makes sense, Ive serched everywhere on the net to find out more about it and I feel im going in circles.
I hope you can help.
Thank you

[241040]

A related discussion, lesions was started.

[benderbabe]

A related discussion, Small hypoechoic Lesion was started.

[Montana girl 06]

I'm so glad your biopsies were benign. Thanks for sharing the good news!

[anxious4]

Hi
I just wanted to let you know that I had to have two separate biopsies (found out about the second one when I went in for the first)- Thank God both turned out to be benign.
Thank you so much for your comments and support.

[Montana girl 06]

Yes, that is pretty vague. My last report was very vague, too. Must depend on the radiologist. Friday can't come soon enough, I'm sure. But then there's another wait for the results. Do you work or have activities to keep you busy? That really helps me.

[anxious4]

Thank you for the information
the letter I received from the Radiologist, just says your right breast mammogram and digital AV Unilat and right breat ultrasound show features that could be abnormal and require further evaluation (nice and vague)
I have a biopsy scheduled for October 27th. I have been unable to eat or sleep I am so worked up.

[Montana girl 06]

My understanding is that dark areas on ultrasounds are more suspicious than lighter areas. My radiology report says I have a hypoechoic (meaning less echo, denser tissue, darker looking) with slightly ill-defined margins. Yet, my surgeon never spoke to me about this, all he talks about are having the calcifications biopsied. (Just trying to let you know that they're not always a big deal.) Suspicious usually means Birads 4, but you probably need to get the radiology report to find out. You should be able to get that from your doctor. Can you askk the nurse to make a copy for you?
It's definatly something I'd want to check up on to find out what they recommend.

[anxious4]

have any of you had what is called a "suspicious" lesion
that appeared (at least in my eyes) to be like a dark circle shaped lump.
I have been so afraid, and have really heard nothing from my doctor.
Are these always considered a category 4 ?
thank you

[Montana girl 06]

I also have very dense breast tissue, cysts and a variety of lumps including one that is hypoechoic, plus calcifications. A biopsy was recommended, but I was also given a 2nd alternative of waiting 3 months. My surgeon assured me that 3 months was a short amount of time. I chose to wait since I just had a biopsy in Jan. 06. I'm guessing that they want to see how much change there is (if any) in your breast in 3 months which may guide what type of biopsy to do.

[cyn17]

I think anytime we hear there is an abnormality, it's natural to worry. I think you have two choices: either ask to have the biopsy now for peace of mind or go ahead and wait 3 months. From other posts answered by the nurse, it sounds like waiting 3 months is not unreasonable to see if any changes occur. I wonder though, if they said the area looks abnormal, why wait??

[jer-bear]

Hi I just wanted to say thanks to all of you your postings have really helped me to understand my results a bit more.  My doctors have not really explained it well, and I felt a bit in limbo.  I have a 1 o'clock hypoechoic lesion on ultrasound measuring 5x11 mm, with some internal echoes.  I also have a cyst at the 3 o'clock to 4 cm and the nipple measuring 4 mm.  My OBGYN palpatated the cyst on examination, and sent me for the mamo, and ultra sound, and I had very dense breast tissue so they did a ultrasound same day and found the cyst, and then brought the radiologist in after seeing something eles, and he told me there was a area of concern and that they needed to have me back in 3 months to re-do the u/s and and at that point a biopsy.  Would this be a concern for all of you, or do I need to worry.  Thanks for your input everyone, sorry for the long post.

[Montana girl 06]

I thought I posted to you last night but it's not here. (?) I'll try again. To look at this from a different view I'd try to find out if the hyperechoic lesions on your first US are worrisome or suspicious.  If these lesions are considered benign you could try not to worry about them (easier said than done) and just follow-up with regular mammograms to see if there is any change in that area.  What do they think the lump in your other breast is?

[cyn17]

Well, that certainly is a frustrating situation to be in! I would get another opinion and ask if an MRI is an option (not all insurance companies will approve as they are very expensive and your doctor may think it's not necessary at this time). If an MRI is not an option, I'd ask to have all tests redone in 3 months. As we've all learned from this site, waiting 3 months won't make much difference if it is cancer and perhaps whatever is going on at that site will be more clearly seen.

Keep your chin up!!

[contentedsammy]

Well I went to see the surgeon on Friday and he did a manual breast exam and said he couldnt feel the lumps either? Is it just me or does the Ultrasound lie? My doctor and the surgeon felt with there hands and said they couldnt feel anything, now for some reason I dont feel comfotable with this(Im starting to second guess myself and feel paranoid) What Im not getting is why did the ultra sound pick up on two well defined hyperechoic lesions at the three oclock position possibility of being lymph nodes that are 2.4 cm in size? Now when they did the mammo they said it was dense tissue and they had to take extra film to see but on the report it didnt mention these two lumps? Am I being peranoid about this? Now I have to wait for another doctor that does pap tests and ask her to refer me to a specialist on breasts since my doctor wont say two words to me.
My question is this "what would yous do in my situation"?
I dont feel at ease with the way they did there exam and there findings compared to the Ultrasound.
Thanks
Tammy

[contentedsammy]

Hi Just to let you know I did the mammogram results back and they show a new lump on the opposite breast but it does not refer to the two hyperechoic lesions on the left breast.So again im in limbo. My has been no help since he was in one of his moods and didnt want to answer any questions and referred me to a surgeon.(not a specialist) So now I have an appointment on Friday with the surgeon and hopefully he can try to make sense out of the Ultrasound vs Mammogram. My question would be if the Ultrasound (I had this first)showed two lesions 2.4 cm big and the mammogram has no mention of them what should I do?
If the Mammogram had a least mentioned the two lesions in question then maybe I would of been ok. But it seems that it missed them and brought up another lump on oposite side.
Does anyone have a ideas?
Thanks
Tammy

[Montana girl 06]

You may just have to ask the surgeon on Friday. In our community general surgeons are as close as we get to "breast specialists." Hope you get some answers. I'll watch for your post.

[contentedsammy]

Hi Montana Girl
I went yesterday at 3:00 and they said it will be at least 10 days before the results come in.
They had to take extra film it seems where the lesions are it didnt show up as well as they wanted.
But as soon as I hear my results I will let you know.
Thanks for talking with me on here :)
Tammy

[Montana girl 06]

Let us know what you find out.

[contentedsammy]

Hi thank you so much its nice to hear.
I have my mammo today at 3:00 so I will keep my fingers crossed.
Our long waiting time could be due to the fact that I live in a small town, we are short doctors and vacation time makes it worse.Now the Tech.that does the mammograms is off on parental leave and we have to have someone come from out of town once a week to take over. But usually it takes a while to get any answeres back from them it doesnt matter what the health reason.
I have read so much on hyperechoic and hypoechoic on the net that I get a lot of mixed answers which makes it all the more confusing. Im hoping maybe the Tech. can tell me something today.
Im sure i 20 more grey hairs from this. :)
Thanks again
Tammy

[llp]

I am also from Canada. Hang in there. Our wait times are longer but I would think that if there was something suspicious it would be put at the top of the pile. That's what my tech said. Your situation sounds alot like mine back in February. Mine had alot of benign features but I chose to have a biopsy anyway. I drove myself crazy with worry and it turned out to be totally benign. When my mother was diagnosed with breast cancer they could tell right away by the ultrasound. It was highly suspicious and she was in for a biopsy right away. Take it from someone who's been there, don't drive yourself crazy like I did! Your situation sounds very encouraging.

[Montana girl 06]

I can't understand why it would take a month for results. I had trouble getting my results this summer and wrote a letter to the place that did my mammogram. I wrote very positively about everything except the fact that I didn't get notified for 7 business days that I needed more views and an ultrasound. Plus, two weeks after my initial appointment my doctor and surgeon had received no report. I told them that was unacceptable and I would take my business somewhere else if I the problem continued in the future.I received an immediate phone call assuring me the delay was not acceptable. The man asked many questions so he could find out where the problem was. According to records the radiologist read my mammos the day after I had them taken and they were transcribed the following day. (I've been told this is the typical proceedure) so I should have been called within 3-4 business days and my doctors should have received reports within that time. Even if it takes more time to get results in Canada, a month seems extremely long.

I also have cysts and hypoechoic lesions (which the radiologist "thinks" are fibroadenomas.) They don't talk about removing mine because they're very spread out and they seem more worried about my calcifications. There's a good chance yours are benign so "try" not to worry. (Ya, I know how hard that is.)

[llp]

If you are really worried about the wait time you may consider getting a referral to a major hospital. If your doctor makes the call you can usually get in fairly quickly. Alternatively, maybe your doctor can ask for a 'stat' report and they will get the results as soon as possible. That is what they did for my son with his kidney ultrasound and they called with the results same day even though there was nothing concerning. Be assertive!

[Montana girl 06]

Woops. I see your lesions are hyperechoic and mine are the other kind. It sounds like hyperechoic lesions are usually benign, and that sounds like its in your favor.

[boninclyde]

I agree with the doctor a month is extremely long to get mamo results. I recieved mine right then. Looked strange and was immediately given an ultrasound. Next, few days later, a biopsy and so on. Find another doctor. If it is something,  getting treatment soon is very important.