2nd Opinion for Biopsy?? Abnormal mammo/ultra -

Question: I'm new here just looking for answers. Maybe i'm overreacting but just want your take on it.

Just went for mammogram. Came back abnormal, dense breasts, wanted additional views and ultrasound. I'm 48 yrs. Old. Had additional views and ultrasound.

Showed the following on ultrasound:

right breast:
9 o'clock - 11 cm from nipple, 11x3x9 mm ovoid, hypoechoic mass with central echogenicity compatible with intramammary lymph node.

9 o'clock - 5 cm from nipple, 8x3x8 mm intramammary lymph node.

Left breast:
3 o'clock - 11 cm from nipple, 8x2x4 mm intramammary lymph node.
2o'clock - 4 cm from nipple, 6x3x6 mm intramammary lymph node.
3 o'clock - 4x3x4 mm intramammary lymph node.

Impression:
benign appearing bilateral intramammary lymph nodes, three on left, two on right.

Birads assessment: category 3 - probably benign

recommendations: advise 6 month sonographic follow-up of both breasts.

I'm a wreck! I don't like the "probably" benign finding. To me that's not definitive enough for my peace of mind. I don't know why biopsy is not recommended to get that "definitely" benign finding. I've read that any lymph nodes larger than 1 cm should be biopsied which is the case with the one measuring 11x3x9mm. Isn't that 1.1 cm?

Does anyone know if "benign appearing" lymph nodes can one day become malignant?

What do you think? Take their recommendation or pursue further. I need peace of mind. I have no breast cancer history in my family. Although there is history of cancer of maternal and paternal grandparents. I think the reason this scares me the most is that my mother-in-law was diagnosed in march with metatastic breast cancer (she was feeling okay but just didn't feel 100% so she went for check up). She sadly passed away 3 weeks later.

Thanks,

Diana

Hi:

 

Welcome to the board.  I just had to respond to your post because I found out I had cancer when I had a lump and a normal biopsy.  The doctor told me to wait six months but I went to a breast surgeon for a second opinion right away.  he did a needle biopsy, guided by an ultrasound right there and I found out that day because he was leaving for Japan the next day and wanted me to be able to make a decision instead of waiting.  He was wonderful.  If you're near NYC, I'll give you his info.  I would definately go with my gut too.  I know nothing about the medical jargon, but I'd want to feel safe and if my insurance didn't cover the second opinion, I'd go anyway.

 

 

Ellen,

I'd like to clarify. Did you mean that you had a a lump and a normal MAMMOGRAM? Cause you wrote biopsy. I have a lump that I've noticed has grown and changed, The mammogram and ultasound were both normal.

I hope by now you have decided to push for a biopsy. Not all masses are cancer, certainly, but not all cancer masses look the same nor do benign ones. The best way to know is to have a biopsy. There is a needle biopsy which is easier than surgical biopsy which is not a difficult surgery at all. Personally I would want a surgical biopsy because the needle could possibly hit off the mass, especially if it is a movable mass. However, if cancer is suspected and a needle biopsy confirms it, so much the better. In your case they seem to be saying they believe it is benigh. Keep us posted as to what is happening, please. We care. Hugs MK