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Abnormal Mammogram Question

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Posted 11/20/2006 6:14 PM (GMT 0)
I have a question to anyone.

I went for a mammogram last week. When the got done doing the xrays they brought me into a room to do an ultrasound. I had no clue what was happening. No one would tell me anything. When the first ultrasound tech. came in and she started I noticed a black round picture on the screen and I asked her what that was? Ans of course she told me nothing. The second technician came in and I saw here measuring this thing I saw. I ask her if that was a nodual? She said to me let me take some pictures and I'll have the radiologist come in to answer my questions. At this time I got very upset. I know I saw something. When the radiologist came in and stsrting doing the ultrasound I asked him what it was. When he was done, he told me not to worry, that it was a fluid filled cyst and he'll see me in a year. I went home and called the doctor and told the nurse that works for him what was going on. She told me she would get back to me when she got the report. Well today is Monday and I had to call them because they never  called me back. I also requested a copy of the written report from the radiologist. The nuse told me that the doctor is not concerned because the report said to follow up in a year. This is what the report reads:

Both breast are moderately dense in radiographic apperance. Mild nodular changes.

Questionable nodular density at the medial right breast and another density close to the chest wall superimposed upon the skin fold. Sonography demonstrates the presence of several small cysts. No suspicious mass close to the chest wall.

IMPRESSION of the RADIOLOGIST: benign modular and fibrocyctic changes. Annual follow-up is recommended.

How do I take this? Should I get a second opion? Do I wait unitl next year and hope it doesn't turn into anything? I am not 100% satisfied with what a radiologist conclusions are. How can he be 100% sure its nothing. Am I over reacting. Please help me understand this better. What should I do? confused

Posted 11/20/2006 11:38 PM (GMT 0)
Im new to this too, found out about 3 weeks ago now that I have invasive ductal carcinoma, had a lumpectomy last wensday and will get the result of the sentinal node biopsy tomarrow...I felt the lump in my breat about 2 weeks before I saw the Dr. now I wonder if I had gone right away if maybe it wouldnt be this way...although Im so new to this that I really dont understand much of it, am hoping that the appt tomarrow will give me a better grip on things...the surgeon did tell me that I will have to have chemo and radiation and possibly hormone therapy, but really wont know how bad the cancer is until these test results.

If I were you I would get a second opinion and request they do a diagnositic mammogram...my primary Dr. told me that screening mammograms miss abou 30% of cysts and tumors....

Please get a second opinion, just to be on the safe side....

Let me know what you decide and what the second opinion shows if you decide to have one done.

Take Care

Jule

Posted 11/21/2006 7:13 AM (GMT 0)
Well, I think that many of us here now have a firm belief that we won't take "maybe" for an answer. If they are fluid filled cysts, then why can't they aspirate them to be sure. I just hate "maybe ok, probably nothing," etc. I like 100% sure. Too many ladies here were told to come back in 6 months or a year. Please get them to check further. Hang in there, we are here for you.
HUGS, Gail
Posted 11/21/2006 3:30 PM (GMT 0)
Dear Jule and Gail..... Thank you for responding and advising me in a direction I was not sure about. I have made an appointment for a second opinion. I go on Dec. 8th to a breast center near me. I also found out this morning that my prolactin levels were normal, but I still have clear discharge coming out. I forgot to mention that when I posted the question the first time. I told my doctor and the radiologist that I had a discharge on both breast. It doesn't come out when they are pressed or squeezed nor do I feel it happening. But I see it in my bra's. I'm getting tired of buying bra's :-) This has been going on for about 8 months. They also don't seem to be concerned about that. I am only 41 years old. I am so scared I have no idea what is going on. Did you guys have nipple discharge?
Thanx for all your support and hugs, Lisa
Posted 11/21/2006 4:17 PM (GMT 0)

Lisa,

Ive learned being scared is a HUGE part of this. I found my lump during a shower but never have had any kind of discharge although during my readings about all this it is mentioned, so it is definately worth getting it checked out!!!!

I go here in a couple of hours to get the results of my sentinal node byopsy that they did last week during me lumpectomy so will hopefully know more on my side of things....As everyone here has warned me about: The waiting is the worst there is....they say to try to stay in the day and not worry or look ahead until you have something definately confirmed....believe me it takes ALOT of energy to worry about the things you do not know for sure...some days I am able to do as they suggest but then other days all I do is dwell on all this..

Im sorry you have to wait so long to get that second opinion, those days are going to be rough for you, but you can ALWAYS come here to vent with us and that helps alot.

Please let me know what they tell you and how things are going for you

L&H

Jule

Posted 11/21/2006 9:24 PM (GMT 0)
Miney,

I had discharge that they watched for 2 years. However, it was confined to the one breast. Eventually, mine was a cancerous tumor, but during the testing/watching, they were looking for an intraductal papiloma which is a benign condition. My discharge was clear but with a yellow tinge. Eventually, right before I was dx, some blood mixed in. I'm not talking lots of discharge, either.

I have heard that discharge out of both breasts is not a bad thing, but rather when the discharge is out of only one breast it is more worrisome. I was 40 when I was dx back in March 2005. Keep us posted, and keep being your own advocate. I made sure to have the doc check me every six months and my cancer was caught early! It's a scary road, but we're here for you. Remember, 80% of these things are benign conditions, so keep positive!!!!!

Hugs,
Lauré
Posted 11/21/2006 11:34 PM (GMT 0)
Miney, Do NOT wait until next year. I was told on June 30, 1995, the very same thing. By the time I disregarded that letter and got to a dr, I was in dire straits with many months left for the "next year".

First, if it doesn't sound right to you, it isn't. If they are indeed cysts, then they should have aspirated them to be sure. Go for another opinion. Please, there is no point to waiting. Do they expect you to worry about this for a year? I'm sorry but the first word that comes to my mind is "dickheads".

As any member of our board will tell you, you have to be aggressive in your treatment. Let us know what happens.

Jo-Ann
Posted 11/22/2006 2:20 AM (GMT 0)
Miney-
Keep in mind that since most of us here already were diagnosed with BC, we are more hypervigilant than the rest and we are mot likely to tell anyone to not wait and see. Taht does not mean we are hearing alarming news in your information...please don't add to your stress because of our comments. I agree with the others though...if you have any doubt, you are right to get a second opinon. Your doctor was probably right, that they are fluid filled cysts. We'll hope he is right...bring your films and reports to the specialist, who will probably take their own films and go from there.
Hang in there, and keep in mind that 80% of breast lumps are benign.
Lori
Posted 11/22/2006 1:11 PM (GMT 0)
Jule, Gail, Laure, Jo Ann & Tavish,
You guys have been a big help and very compasionate and I just want to thank you for being here. My husband is trying to understand and being there for me, but it's hard for someone to know how you feel unless you have been there. I have made an Appointment for Dec. 8th. I picked up all the films that were taken. I tried to look at them and of course I don't know what I'm looking at. I had only 2 mammograms done in my life and I did notice I went from BiRads 1 to BiRads 2. I understand the Bi Rads thing. And I'm not going to sit around till next year to wait to see if I go to a 3. You guys have no idea what strength you have given me by your replies. Screw these doctors. They are not god and they do not have eyes to see abnormal cells in a human body. I'm taken over my body and doing what I feel is best. To them I'm nothing but a chart. But to my family I'm a person they love and need. So once again THANK YOU :-) and I hope everyone is doing well themselves. And I am here for you guys as well. I hope everyone has a Happy Thanksgiving Day!!! Hugs Lisa
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