Aa
growth rate
Hi,
I wasn't sure whether to ask this in the community or forum section, so here goes anyway....
Two questions, I guess. 1) If a vague hypoechoic 6mm area with some spiculation was seen on ultrasound last August, (an area of increased density had also been seen in 2005 but was less prominent), and nothing has been done since August, till now (March), is this a significant delay, since August? Could this make a significant difference in what I'll be dealing with in the coming months or longer term? I know it's hard to say for sure, but I was just wondering. (My mother died of breast cancer which became bone cancer).
2) Also: They have also just found "something" in my lung on the opposite side; they don't know if it's infection from my pneumonia that doesn't want to go away (it's been the same size since Nov), or a tumour. At the small size of 6mm (or whatever size the breast tumour is now), could it possibly have jumped over to the other lung?
Thanks.
Nancy
I wasn't sure whether to ask this in the community or forum section, so here goes anyway....
Two questions, I guess. 1) If a vague hypoechoic 6mm area with some spiculation was seen on ultrasound last August, (an area of increased density had also been seen in 2005 but was less prominent), and nothing has been done since August, till now (March), is this a significant delay, since August? Could this make a significant difference in what I'll be dealing with in the coming months or longer term? I know it's hard to say for sure, but I was just wondering. (My mother died of breast cancer which became bone cancer).
2) Also: They have also just found "something" in my lung on the opposite side; they don't know if it's infection from my pneumonia that doesn't want to go away (it's been the same size since Nov), or a tumour. At the small size of 6mm (or whatever size the breast tumour is now), could it possibly have jumped over to the other lung?
Thanks.
Nancy
Hi,
Spiculations means the borders or margins of the lesion are not smooth.
About the biopsy - needle biopsy is usually the first option because of being less invasive, less painful and an OPD procedure.
You could talk to your doctor about getting a needle aspiration done before going ahead with the biopsy.
You could consult for a second opinion, because it is important that you are convinced.
Let us know if you have any other doubts and post us about how you are doing.
Regards.
Spiculations means the borders or margins of the lesion are not smooth.
About the biopsy - needle biopsy is usually the first option because of being less invasive, less painful and an OPD procedure.
You could talk to your doctor about getting a needle aspiration done before going ahead with the biopsy.
You could consult for a second opinion, because it is important that you are convinced.
Let us know if you have any other doubts and post us about how you are doing.
Regards.
Hi Bobby,
Thanks for responding; it was helpful, and so nice to hear from someone (I'm new here). I'm 54, and my mother developed cancer when she was in her 50's as well.
I read the link you mentioned about the BIRADS system. I'm in Canada, so I don't know if they use it here as well (it's not mentioned anywhere on the report), but it still gave me an indication of things.
Despite its small size in August, the report did mention its concern about some spiculations.(Do you know what spiculations are?) Apparently the area had shown some increased density in 2005, but now it's more prominent, and has these spiculations. It's in the upper outer right breast. The report recommended surgical consultation with a view to fine-wire localization and excisional biopsy of the area, or, to get a biopsy of the area seen on ultrasound for histology first. Would that mean a needle biopsy? Wouldn't that make more sense and be much less invasive, do you know, or is the invasiveness not that much different? Personally, I would prefer to try the needle biopsy first if I can (for obvious reasons), but my GP is always so gung-ho to cut. (I'm also in the process--again--of trying to find a different GP. This is the 2nd time she has dropped the ball and let a report sit on her desk, or wherever, for too long (the 1st being last Nov/Dec, when she held onto a pneumonia X-ray report for 10 days before calling me in.) They're just way too busy these days, and don't take the care they should, I think. Anyway, thanks for responding. I appreciate it.
nancy
Thanks for responding; it was helpful, and so nice to hear from someone (I'm new here). I'm 54, and my mother developed cancer when she was in her 50's as well.
I read the link you mentioned about the BIRADS system. I'm in Canada, so I don't know if they use it here as well (it's not mentioned anywhere on the report), but it still gave me an indication of things.
Despite its small size in August, the report did mention its concern about some spiculations.(Do you know what spiculations are?) Apparently the area had shown some increased density in 2005, but now it's more prominent, and has these spiculations. It's in the upper outer right breast. The report recommended surgical consultation with a view to fine-wire localization and excisional biopsy of the area, or, to get a biopsy of the area seen on ultrasound for histology first. Would that mean a needle biopsy? Wouldn't that make more sense and be much less invasive, do you know, or is the invasiveness not that much different? Personally, I would prefer to try the needle biopsy first if I can (for obvious reasons), but my GP is always so gung-ho to cut. (I'm also in the process--again--of trying to find a different GP. This is the 2nd time she has dropped the ball and let a report sit on her desk, or wherever, for too long (the 1st being last Nov/Dec, when she held onto a pneumonia X-ray report for 10 days before calling me in.) They're just way too busy these days, and don't take the care they should, I think. Anyway, thanks for responding. I appreciate it.
nancy
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Hi,
How old are you? At what age did your mother develop cancer?
The hypoechoic area in your breast is not necessarily a breast tumor. These days, radiologists report mammograms using the BIRADS (details available at: http://www.jabfm.org/cgi/content/full/19/2/161#SEC4). If indicated, the lesion will be biopsied.
Annual mammograms and clinical breast examinations, along with monthly breast examinations are recommended for you.
Also, it is reasonable to follow the lung lesion serially by imaging, although it is very unlikely for a 6 mm breast lesion to be in any way related to this lung lesion on the opposite side.
How old are you? At what age did your mother develop cancer?
The hypoechoic area in your breast is not necessarily a breast tumor. These days, radiologists report mammograms using the BIRADS (details available at: http://www.jabfm.org/cgi/content/full/19/2/161#SEC4). If indicated, the lesion will be biopsied.
Annual mammograms and clinical breast examinations, along with monthly breast examinations are recommended for you.
Also, it is reasonable to follow the lung lesion serially by imaging, although it is very unlikely for a 6 mm breast lesion to be in any way related to this lung lesion on the opposite side.
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