Mammo/Ultrasound/MRI concern

[bgruder]

I recentlty had a breast MRI that changed my BI-RADS to a category 2 from a 0 that was on the Mammogram that I had, the Mammogram that I had stated that I had a 1.5 mm oval shaped nodule in my right breast, this was done on 4/29/2011 the MRI states that the oval shaped smoothly marginated enhancing nodule is 11 mm, why is there such a change if they think it is Benign? that is 9.5mm in change in a month and a half, I will include both reports and would appriceate if someone could tell me more about them, also I must state that both my sister, and my mother had breast cancer, my sister's was considered to be Benign as was my mothers, My sister's cancer was caught very early, because her dr. choose to do a biopsy and because of her breast cancer my mother's dr. choose to do a breast biopsy on hers both were cancer.



Okay here is the results from the breast mammogram done 4/29/2011


FINDINGS:
Scattered fibroglandular densities are seen, which may obscure a small lesion on the mammogram. There is a 1.5mm stable nodule in the upper aspect of the right breast. Asymmetry is also noten in the upper=outer aspect of the left breast.

IMPRESSION:
No mammographic evidence of malignancy. However, a targeted ultrasongraphy of the reight breast is reccommended to further evaluate the clinical findings of a lump.


The ULTRASOUND REPORT completed on 5/6/2011

FINDINGS:
Heterogenous echogencities are seen, consistent with fibroglandular tissue.
There is no evidence of a discrete solid mass or cyst in the retriareaikar area where the lump had been felt.
There is a 9.1 x 6.3 x6.1 mm oval nodule with mantel with blood flow through the hilum. it remains unchanged as compared with the examination from 7/2/2008


THE MRI  done 6/16/2011

FINDINGS:
The examination is somewhat limited.

There is an approximately 11 mm oval shaped smoothly marginated enhancing nodule within the prosterior aspect of the ipper outer quadrant of the right breast and corresponding well with the mammographic finding and which has been presant since 2008 and on prior sonogram has been described as a lymph node. There are small benign appering axillary lymph nodes seen bilaterally.

There is noted some asymmetric breast parenchyma within the upper outer quadrant of the left breast and corresponding well with mammographic findings. There is otherwise no focal mass or area of archutectural distortion.

IMPRESSION:

1. No MRI demonstrated malignancy.

BI-RADS Category-2 Benign Findings

BREAST MRI DISCLAIMER:

"A normal MRI report does not exclude the presance of DCIS. Invasuve lobular carcunima or cancers under 3mm in size. MRI does not replace mammography and should be used as an adjunct to mammography and physical exam."

[ncmichigan]

Hi, Beth,
I just wanted to add my best wishes to you and hopes for a benign result. I know from experience and from so many women here that the wait for results can be really, really difficult. Please try to stay busy to make the time go faster and keep those positive thoughts, as japdip said. We'll be thinking of you and wish you all the very best.
nc

[japdip]

It more what is seen under the microscope than the color of the specimen ... the needle must go thru other tissue to obtain the actual specimen and may contain bits of that also; bleeding can also affect the color of the specimen .... I wouldn't base any opinion at all on the color. Yes, it will be a long, long weekend but try to celebrate the 4th of July and think about BBQs, picnics, and fireworks to help make the time go faster. I'm holding good thoughts and will be anxious to hear your results when you get them on Tuesday. Think positively now ... Kindest regards ....

[bgruder]

I had my breast biopsy this morning, they did an ultrasound guided core biopsy, and I seen the tissue samples in the little jar, they were yellowish/gray, and some were a pinkish/gray, does the color of the sample mean anything? I won't have my results until next tuesday which means a long long weekend, any information on this would be of major help to releive my mind. Thanks once again
                        Beth

[ncmichigan]

I'm sorry to hear about your mother and sister, but I'm glad they're doing well. Your statement that your mother and sister's cancer were "considered to be benign" is contradictory--I am guessing you meant their screenings were considered benign, but biopsies found their cancer. I would just like to assure that all your findings appear to be benign, as japdip indicated. The 11 mm nodule appears to be  a lymph node that has been stable since July of '08. (Have you had mammograms between '08 and '11? It might be helpful to have the radiologist compare all your films.) I am also wondering if the nodule on the mammo was 1.5 cm, NOT mm. since they report on US that the nodule is "stable". That would certainly be something to check out because 11 mm is smaller than 15 mm, (or 1.5 cm)  and sometimes the measurements can be slightly different on mammo and MRI. My understaning is that the smallest lesions mammo can detect are 3-5 mm. It could just be an error in transciption of the report and the radiologist or another radiologist would be able to determine that. It's possible for lymph nodes to enlarge and shrink ,or if it's a fibroadenoma, they can also grow and shrink. I can certainly understand your concern if the 1.5 mm to 11mm size is accurate and would definitely recommend a second opinion as japdip advised. Are you at all close to Baltimore? Johns Hopkins has an excellent
breast care center and would be good for a second or even third opinion, because of your family history.  You can even ask an expert there online at this web site: http://www.hopkinsbreastcenter.org/services/ask_expert/
BIRADS 2 is benign and biopsy isn't recommended for those, but you can certainly express your fears to your surgeon and see if he/she would perform a biopsy to give you 100% assurance.
I hope you'll get resolution of your concerns and you should do what you need to do to accomplish this.
I wish you all the very best,
nc

[bgruder]

Thank you so much, yes I do have such a high leval of concern, from the mammogram it said that the nodule was 1.5 mm and the MRI says 11 mm that is a big change at least it seems like one to me, also I am seeing a general surgeon, I don't know if there is a breast specialist in my area? I am not really sure how to find that out and I have major concern about the radiologist that read my report, unfortunatly it seems that our hospital, and most dr.'s in this area don't really have the best reputation for patient care, I know if I do have breast CA. as my sister and mother did, I will be on my way to Illinois to CTCA, which is where my sister treated, she is in remission, as is  my mother, but my sister in law, she is so sick stage 4 and is approaching the end stage of that, she is down to 95 lbs. now, I just have seen so much of this, and none of them had there CA. found on any of the imaging they had done, it was not until biopsy that they had it discovered, that is why I am so scared, and concerned. Thanks for taking time to answer my questions concerning my report.

[japdip]

After reading the reports I see that they indicate benign findings .... it is stated that on MRI the findings were the same as on the Mammogram ... the change from BIRADS 0 to BIRADS 2 merely states that from not having enough information to having sufficient information to determine that the findings are BENIGN. A BIRADS 0 means that additional studies are needed to make a diagnosis ... it DOES NOT mean "negative". I presume that you are seeing a Breast Specialist; if not you should and if you are and you're not content with his/her opinion then don't hesitate to get a second opinion from another. If there are doubts about the imagery then you can always have your films read by another Radiologist. I can see that you might have more than normal concern due to your family history so do whatever makes you comfortable.   Regards ....