Spiculated Mass

MTwoman

Oh my goodness Sherry, you have been through quite a lot in the last (almost) month! How are you doing? What do you need from us? Have you been to the IDC forum or the lumpectomy lounge yet?

Kaso

MTwoman I have viewed both- per your initial suggestion. I just wanted to clarify and I guess I need to believe in what ever path I am given & trust myself when presented with choices. I am not certain if my diagnosis will change after pathology from the lumpectomy & SN biopsy. I will wait to add my DX, surgery, & treatment until I definitively know more. Sherry

Kaso

Irwells: I was told by my MO that if the oncotype dx score I am awaiting returns in the middle range, as your score of 24, then she does not recommend chemo. Why would one MO recommend chemo with that score and another not recommend it. My PR is very low 5%, while ER is also 100%. My BS recommended a lumpectomy and margins and 5 SN were clear. My HER is negative. It will be 12 weeks from identification of the spiculated mass to results of the oncotype....the waiting to treat beyond lumpectomy is torture.

Quinian

On Tuesday there was a suspicious find in the left breast during screening mammogram. On Thursday, had diagnostic mammograms and ultrasounds which confirmed findings. 5-6mm spiculated mass. Biopsy scheduled for Tuesday... I'm 43 with no family history and scared/nervous. Any advice?

MTwoman

Quinian, welcome to BCO! So sorry that you are here worried about your breast health, but glad you found us. The term 'spiculated' is certainly concerning. My advice would be to breathe, and try your best to take one step at a time. Waiting (for what you fear may be bad news) is difficult. Try to keep yourself busy and do your best to get enough sleep, as you'll need to be able to think clearly to take in and process information. Many facilities insist that women return to discuss their pathology results in person, others will give results by phone. You can ask them about their protocol and then, if it is in person, schedule your follow up apt and make sure you have someone with you who is level headed and can take good notes. biopsies aren't typically painful for most of us, but plan on using ice packs and Tylenol, if you need them. Depending on how many samples are taken and if you have a problem bleeding, then a compression type bra (like a good sports bra) can help. You can do this! Please let us know if you have other specific questions.

Quinian

Thanks MTwoman for the extremely helpful information. The doctor after the diagnostic mammogram and ultrasound was extremely forthright with her concerns about what she saw in the images. She sat down with me for quite some time showing me exactly what she saw and where her conclusions were coming from. I am prepared, I think, but just the waiting to be over. That truly is the hardest part. Thank goodness football season started

MTwoman

So glad that the doctor took the time to explain what's going on. I respond to 'forthright' much better than ambiguous So biopsy tomorrow, then did she say how long before results? That will be a bit more waiting, but then you'll know what's what. Glad football can help keep you distracted in the meantime!

Quinian

No, no one addressed biopsy results, but it will definitely be one of my very first questions at the appointment tomorrow...

MTwoman

Good. IMO it is helpful to have clear expectation setting. Hopefully, they'll get pathology back quickly!

Quinian

Biopsy complete, again Dr. confirmed what she thinks it is and that the only other thing it could be is a radial scar and it is not a radial scar. Results appt scheduled for Thursday. Any advice on what to bring, questions to ask on Thursday. Hubby will be going with me...

MTwoman

So sorry Quinian! There are some forums that already provide a list of questions, so I'll give you the link instead of trying to remember them all

Here is a good place to start: Questions to Ask Your Doctor About Your Diagnosis.

This next one I would recommend after you have your initial meeting and the ultimate diagnosis is given as it is very comprehensive: https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/5/topics/748296?page=12#idx_352

so glad you're taking your husband. If good note-taking isn't his thing, think about asking to record the meeting as you'd be surprised how much info can just slip out of our minds.

We are "in your pocket" on Thursday!

Kaso

My call back mammorgram, a first for me, showed an "8mm spiculated mass" at the 12:00 position on my right breast. I told the radiologist to "shoot to the chase". He replied cancer or a radial scar. Biopsy was set for the following morning. When I left I called the Smilow Cancer Center and set an appointment with a breast surgeon. I knew this would be the little control I had in an awful unreal situation. When I showed for biopsy and told the radiologist to send pathology results to Smilow he was shocked I took action already.

The biopsy was to yield results with benign or malignant in 3 working days and with receptor if malignant in 5-7 working days. I got a call from both Smilow and my internist in 3 days that the result was benign, but atypical ductal hyperplasia and that would need to be removed. SO I was "lucky" as both parties replied and I was pleased I had my appointment with a breast surgeon set.

The receptors did not need to be run because I "did not have cancer". The receptors would have shown if the cancer was estrogen or progresterone driven or cause by a HER protien,or negative and or positive ER, PR, HER

Sadly at the appointment to discuss ADH cells the surgeon enterred with an "Oh my G-d the lab that the radiologist used made a mistake. You do have cancer. Infiltrating mammary carcinoma."

My partial mastectomy (after hearing BRCA was negative) and sentinel node biopsy was 7/5. 5 nodes and margins came back clear 7-10 days later and the cancer was termed invasive ductal carcinoma. 1.5 cm Grade 1 and stage 1

My advice- no question should NOT be asked. I printed my questions and gave a son/s (I do not have a husband) who came to all the first appointments (surgery, first breast surgeon post surgery, first radiologist oncologist, first medical oncologist) the same list so they too knew what I needed answers too. One son also took notes and I was able to read my notes and his afterward.

My "journey" is still raw, but the diagnosis is slowing sinking in.I didn't "feel" cancer so I was in denial/shock. I have yet to start therapy because the receptors had to be done, genetic testing needed to be done, and then the MO appointment was set for last (7/31) and that was the one that authorized the oncotype dx- a must have (unless you can get the mammaprint) test to truly determine despite receptors if chemo is in fact needed. (If HER + or BRCA + chemo is necesary and you don't need the oncotype dx) If estrogen driven (I am 100% +3) then an inhibitor is prescribed after treatment.

Unfortunately I have taken many detours. The CT SCan for simulation for radiotherapy found a spot on my lungs.I needed a lung CT scan and then I needed to see a thoracic oncologist..

I am more than willing and would be happy to guide you every step of the way. I wish I had someone who could have guided me.

Sherry

PS be sure to go on facebook and sign up for breast cancer is knowledge group. It is the most amazing group of women throughout the nation. You will learn so much and you will feel so loved.

Quinian

Mtwoman and Kaso... Thank you!

Quinian

It came back as invasive ductal carcinoma and ductal carcinoma in situ, hormone positive and HER2 negative - I am probably sayin that all wrong but I know you all will understand. Next step, breast surgeon appointment on Monday.

Minetta57

Hello friends, hope your all doing good. I was called back to my Imaging Center for spot compression views and left breast ultrasound for a nodular density. However, the radiologist on 4/2, found a spiculated mass. She told me it must come out. I see the surgeon on Monday 4/9/18 for consultation. I hope she will do the biopsy any day soon after the consult. I asked the radiologist, what about the nodular density the first radiologist had seen? She said that may be a satellite lesion, and that they want to do an MRI after the biopsy of the spiculated mass and we can see everything after the MRI. I’m very nervous and hanging in there. Jjust moved to Florida in the Fall. Recently lived in CT my whole life. I’m 56. In 1999, had a benign lesion removed in CT. I had a benign microcalcification around 2006. Had mammo every year for the past 15 years in Connecticut. I read few stories here and I wish you all the best. Now, waiting is hard but I’ll keep busy with things. Will talk to you all soon. Sorry I’m longwinded. But I feel better after writing this. Take good care.

Okkate75

Waiting is the worst part, @Minetta57! I'm so sorry you have to go through this, but I promise whatever happens, you can handle it. This really is the worst part--the waiting. I'm sending good thoughts your way.

Minetta57

Thank you OkKate57. I should have the results in 1 or 2 days. Trying to stay calm. I will deal with it and have good questions for doctors.

Widmt

Bad mammo on 5-18. Diagnostic mammo an Us on both breasts (wasn’t expecting that) this past Tuesday. 0.8 spicuolated with microcalicications in right, 2.7 spicuolated mass, deep, in left. I do have fibrocystic disease, 3 maternal aunts with breast cancer, no kids at 46, and PCOS. Bi Rads score 4, biopsies under ultrasound this Tuesday. I’m freaking out. Both sides. Lord, have mercy.

mustlovepoodles

Widmt, you do have some risk factors, but your age is in your favor. It's much less common for BC to show up in both breasts at the same time and BIRADs4 is roughly 80% benign. So I'm crossing my fingers for ya! Let us know how it goes.

jrg0607

A little more than worried. “Asymmetric somewhat spiculated mass" measuring 2.18 x 2.16cm on my mammogram. I found this lump on a self exam and went right in to have it checked. I know I have heterogeneously dense breast tissue, I was told on prior mammograms. Ultrasound findings showed multiple anechoic structures and also an irregular shaped prominent node in the right axilla 1.63cm.

Still waiting on auth from insurance for MRI and biopsy. I'm 44, and single Mother to severely disabled twins. No family within 1100 miles.. I'm terrified ..

marie5890

JRG,

Hello and welcome.

Of course you are terrified. First piece of advice. DO NOT GO GOOGLING. Until you have an actual diagnosis, one way or the other, what you will come across will NOT be helpful.

Do you have questions we can answer here for you in the meantime? What do you need?

Keep breathing

Moderators

Hi jrg0607-

We're so sorry you find yourself here with such worry. We know it's a scary time! But we second what Marie5890 said about not googling. We hope the insurance authorization comes through very soon, and you can start to figure out what you're dealing with. In the meantime, we're all here for you!

The Mods