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Posted 1/4/2006 9:19 PM (GMT 0)
I was just hoping I could get some answers to ease my mind. My mother went for a mammogram, six months ago. They found a little lump, 3.5mm. She had to go back in 6 months for another. They said that they were going to send her to a specialist and for a biopsy as they don't know what it was, but that in grew only slightly to 5mm (pea sized), and that it may be, what she thought he said, something about calcuim. She was told by the specialist that there doesn't seem to be anything else around there, just this one lump, and everything else looked good. She went for a biopsy today, but has to wait until probably tuesday to get the results. She is 61 years old, and I am probably worried just as much as her. Since of her age, and since they probably would have known it was a cyst from the mammogram, what else could it be? Should we be worried that its definitely cancer? What are the odds that since they sent her for the biopsy that it could still could be non-cancer? If it turns out to be cancer, is the size of this mass caught soon enough to give her a good prognosis?
thanks all!

 

Posted 1/4/2006 10:01 PM (GMT 0)
Hello,
I'm sorry to hear the fear you are both faced with! I'm pretty new at this game myself, but I can tell you that nearly 80% of biopsied lumps are benign, which is great! So try not to worry. There are many different things the docs look at for prognosis, so it is hard to say. Especially since I am praying that it is just a benign lump in your mom.

Keep the faith and ask as many questions here as you want. Everyone is very helpful, and of course we've all gone through the fear and the waiting game.

Love & Hugs,
Laure'
Posted 1/5/2006 1:42 AM (GMT 0)

Laure

The doc was probably talking about microcalcifications, which are common and are sometimes the precursor to cancer. The operative word being SOMETIMES. And, alas, a mammogram can't tell you what is inside there, just that there is something there that should be looked at further. A biopsy is really the only way to tell what you're dealing with.

And it's true that almost all are benign. Will that make you or her feel better or stop worrying...absolutely not. I hope you can at least take comfort in that we are all praying that it is just a benign spot.

Hang in there!

Wish you could get those results faster.

Hugs,

Erin

Posted 1/6/2006 2:07 AM (GMT 0)
I agree with what has already been said. My motto is not to worry until you know you have something to worrry about. The doctor was right to do the biopsy, that is the only way to tell for sure what it is. Even if it turns out to be malignant, pea sized in a 61 year old woman would be very manageable. I was 58 and my lump was the size of the end of a thumb, considerably more than pea sized. I am now 67. I did have a mastectomy, but that was my choice. I am convinced probably radiation would have done just as well. That is what my aunt had and hers was about 15 years ago, she is now nearly 80 and doing just fine. So keep your mom's spirits up and both of you try not to worry. Hugs MK
Posted 1/6/2006 3:59 AM (GMT 0)
Hi, you have every reason to be optimistic about your mom. First, like Laure' said, the overwheming majority of breast lumps are not cancer. However, that said, 5 mm is very small. My cancerous lump was 6 mm when it was removed in 1996. It has been almost 10 years for me, and I am doing fine. Keep us posted and best wishes to your mom. Lauri
Posted 1/12/2006 4:28 PM (GMT 0)

Just an update.

Thanks all for your prayers, but we found out today that it is cancer. She is going to have it removed next Friday. And to  make sure it hasn't spread to the lymph node. The doctor told her that it is about the size of a "chick pea" (hope you all know what that is). I really could use some support on this, as she feels its over and done for her,and thinking the worst. Please assure me , if you can, that at this stage, of being so small, that all were turn out ok. 

Thanks

Posted 1/12/2006 5:47 PM (GMT 0)
Sorry to hear this news. Please tell your mom that breast cancer is very treatable and beatable for many many people!

It is standard to have the lymph nodes checked. They have to know that to determine the next steps. if it has spread and how to attack the cancer. Statistics are just numbers, but they offer an idea of what to expect...and survival rates for early stage BC are great, something like 80% or better! I am 6 years out of treatment and still cancer free. THey make advances in medicine all the time and there are new tests and treatments out today that I did not have access to just a few years ago.

Small cancers can still have spread, but definitely, the smaller the better. We can;t tell you that it has not, but odds are more in her favor if it small. Mine was 2.5 cm and had not spread.

Breast cancer is more like a chronic disease now. Even when cancer-free, many survivors are on medications to keep it from recurring, allowing us to manage just fine.

Bring us your questions, we'll help where we can. And if your mom is computer savvy, send her to us too...

Hang in there!
Lori
Posted 1/12/2006 6:33 PM (GMT 0)
Your mom is very lucky to have found her cancer early! That is our best defense against this disease. Once she has her cancer classified as to type and stage (whether or not it has spread) she will know what to expect. Her age and whether or not she is post menapause can also influence how aggressive the cancer is.  My cancer was also about the size of a chickpea; it had not spead out of the breast and was found 5 1/2 years ago! I am still cancer-free! She is lucky to have such a supportive daughter to help her through this uncertan time.  We are her to help both of you get through this! Good luck! Frayda

Posted 1/12/2006 8:58 PM (GMT 0)
Hey Bearly,

I'm so sorry to hear about the dx on your mom. I will keep her in my prayers tomorrow during her surgery. I remember all too well the initial shock and feelings of doom when I first heard the words. Know that she will go through several stages of different feelings, and the ones that will help alot will be the fight against the cancer. I hope that the lymph nodes are clear! Remember, you will have to wait, probably, for the final pathology and that wait can be very hard. Try to keep busy so your (and her) mind won't have time to dwell on the worst case scenario! Write us any time! We care!!!

Laure'
Posted 4/23/2010 11:49 PM (GMT 0)

cry  Me too, 6mm oblong lump just 10 days ago.  My doctor called me, I haven't received the letter from the hospital, but I called for a diagnostic mamo with a radiologist for Monday.  It's going to be a verry long weekend.  I asked about getting a biopsy that same day.  It was just the receptionist and she said "uuh, no, they need different tools for that".  It sounded like an uneducated guess.

With a lump that small you would think the docs could take it out with one of those big bi-opsy needles.  Just get it out!  anything that shouldn't be there; calcification, cyst whatever!  One invasion into my body should do it, as soon as possible.  Cut it out, the whole thing and then tell me what it WAS.  And by the way, leave the rest of my breast alone.  If there's more crap in there, amputate my arm pit, I really won't miss it!

I am 47.  I have a 10 year old to raise, even if I have a mountian and a mole hill. I am a D cup and can't find anything.

Post Edited (isbell) : 4/23/2010 5:52:42 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 11/21/2010 3:13 PM (GMT 0)
Hi isbell,

How are thing going since aril (your last post). I just found this forum and I read your post.
i am 25 years old and I found out (after an ultrasound) that I have a lump (6mm). I have an appointment with a surgeon next week for a first contact, and he will set another appointment for a biopsie. I want to tae it out ASAP, I don't know yet what it is but I want it out!

Let me know how are things going for you!

I hope you are doing great!
Posted 11/21/2010 11:51 PM (GMT 0)
Free, I'm sorry you have to deal with this at such a young age. Hope your surgeon takes out the lump and all is well. Keep us posted. Well be sending good thoughts your way.

Hugs...
BEV
Posted Yesterday 2:33 AM (GMT 0)
Dear free2010  I successfully went through the biopsy without any signs of cancer.  It seems cruel for  them to make you wait until next week for the biopsy, then you have to wait for the results!  Not fair.  The doctor seemed pissed about something or just life in general (he).  The nurses were kind.  I got to watch the whole thing (ultrasound in a dark room).  No pain but I could feel them pushing the needle through my dense flesh.  The wait was not the worst thing, it was the pain after the anestetic wore off.  Ask for pain medication!!!    God bless you and keep you strong.  They didn't take it all in the biopsy but I'm not worried any more.  Kinda mad.  Now, I have a new gyno and they want me to go for another mamo.  I moved.  Hear we go again.  I feel stronger as a patient and won't go for their money generating, invasive tests again. 
Posted 12/4/2010 3:39 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Bearly, Know that a lot of people is praying for you and so am I. I'm glad the lump was found while small, that way not to spread. May God guide the doctors hands and fingers while the removal is being done.
Posted 6/12/2012 10:19 PM (GMT 0)
Hello everyone! I'm new to this forum and found it very interesting and helpful for my concerns. I am 33 years old. Just yesterday had a mammogram done on me upon my Doctor's request. It was my very first one ever so was not sure at all of what to expect there. After my first images were taken, I was called in again for a second set, then a third set of images were requested. I started to freak out towards the end of the third set because I just thought this is just way too much in a day! So yes, Doctor at the radiology center had found something abnormal. I was then waiting to finalize my visit with an ultrasound in which the ultrasound tech called the doctor to let him proceed with the ultrasound himself. Doctor was there talking to me about some damaged tissue on my left breast, and a 5mm lump on same breast which was detected through ultrasound. I don't know what all this means now. He just told me that I have to previous test records to compare my new results with, and that I will need to go back in 6 months for a new test. I truly need some advice, if anybody could help will be greatly appreciate it! I'm thinking if wouldn't it be better if they check if is malignant first, instead of waiting 6 long months?
Thanks so much from the bottom of my heart!
Will be anxiously waiting for some of your Replies :)
Posted 6/12/2012 10:23 PM (GMT 0)
My damaged tissue was found through the mammograms...
Posted 6/14/2012 12:13 AM (GMT 0)
What does your doctor say about the test results? If you are going to be worried about this for the next six months, then I would ask the doctor about a biopsy to determine exactly what this lump is. Sometimes a small scar is worth a lot of peace of mind.

Why did your doctor send you for a mammogram at 33, to begin with?

Hugs....
BEV
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