Dimpling

[Jazzercise]

Hello, I know that I should be paitient and wait for biopsy reports.  But I do believe that I am going to go crazy first. Could you tell me the chances that this is cancer?  I am 46, no children, perfectly healthy and without any weight concerns.  About 3 months ago I found a dimpling on my rt breast.  I could not feel a lump and felt no pain or burning.  I did get a digital mammogramm and an ultra sound.  My results from those test indicated that I did have a small hard lump and 4-5 calcium deposits. Bi-Rad 4. Biopsy needed.  Ok. That was 2 weeks ago and I am going for a biopsy consultation tomorrow.  Could you just tell me - does this look like it's cancer??  Any information will be so greatly appreicated.  I feel like 'they' are not telling me everything.  They won't even say if it solid or fluid.  And I thought that that was what the ultrasound was for.  Any information for the 'silently going crazy' woman in Georgia would be great!  Thank you!

[Jazzercise]

Well, I do have cancer. It is infiltrating ductal carcinoma.  My doctors will do a sentinel node biopsy to make sure that the cancer is not in the lymph nodes.  He said that right now it's looking like a lumpectomy or a mastecomy.  I have very small breasts and he said that the lumpectomy will leave me deformed.  Now I have to make the decision as to which one to do.  Of course, if there is cancer in the lymph nodes, then I'm sure that the mastecomy will be the choice.  Can you tell me about the reconstruction after mastecomy?  Is this an implant?  Or is it my own tissues?  I'm 5'3" and about 115lbs.  Where would they get extra tissue from?  My doctor said it does not appear to be in the lymph nodes so why is he doing the sentinel node biopsy?  Thank you for your replies!

[Denise L. Johnson, M.D.]

The biopsy should be completed soon and I will be able to answer any questions at that time.