Hypoechoic Mass

[lady4law]

I just recieved a print out of my mammogram and it says, I have a "slightly irregularly marginated hypoechoic mass" (I don't think the "ly" belongs in irregular...but that's the way it is printed on my imaging report. Also it states, "suspicious for neoplasm' and rates my BI-RADS as catagory IV.

I understand the BI RADS, and located a vague defination for neoplasm, but cannot find any information relative to the hypoechotic mass. DOes anyone know what these mean? I have an appointment to see a surgeon Monday but he generally won't perform one for 2-3 weeks and my report is requesting one ASAP. (my mother and gradnmother died from BC.) Any comments will be helpful as I am sure the next few days will be close to unbearable.
Jean

[mav38]

I have had my first mammogram and it has come back with suspiscous of maligncy.  I have hyperechoic mass and persistant shadowing as well as a cyst.  Can anyone explain this to me.  I went to a surgeon who is sending me back to the radiologist to perform a ultrasound guided biopsy. Help!

[BhumikaMD]

Hi,

A lesion which is described as hyperechoic means that it bounces back more waves than the surrounding tissue. It is a way to find out tissues which appear different from the surroundings and therefore are probably "suspicious".

The definition of a cyst is defined as before. You can trust your surgeon to give you the best advise and getting a biopsy is the next step for "suspicious lesions".

Let me know if this answered your queries and if you have any more queries. Also tell us what the biopsy report says.

Regards.

[mav38]

I have looked at the report again... it says hypoechoic mass and  microcalcifications and persistent shadowing.  What does the persistent shadowing mean?  and are the microcalcifications somethng that I need to be concerned with?  They have scheduled me for a core biopsy ultrasound guided for next week - but, they are not sure if they can get to the cyst with that or they will have to do a stereotactic biopsy next...

[mav38]

P.S.  None of these are felt by examination.  They are all located around 1:00

[BhumikaMD]

Hi,

Shadowing means the usual, its the dark area created where light, and in case of mammograms or ultrasound, the rays cannot enter because of some intervening matter.

I am not sure why your doctor used the term persistent. Perhaps he did multiple exams and noticed the same pattern and wants to convey to his colleagues that he is sure of the findings. There could be other reasons too and only your doctor would be able to tell you what exactly he meant.

Micro calcifications are small collections of calcium and in a concentrated or speculated pattern help detect "suspects".

Its normal procedure in suspected lesions as I told you earlier to have a biopsy after the imaging.

Let us know if there are any more queries.

Regards

[mav38]

I had my US guided core biopsy this past Thurs and got the results today.  The path report states Malignancy is not identified.  Final diagnosis:  Extensive schlerosing adenosis with microcalcifications. Focal atypical ductal hyperplasia.  The Radiologist stated it still needed to come out with surgery.  Do I have anything to worry about?