Follow-up visit results

akc820608

Well the good nees is my excisional was benign. The crappy news is my biopsy said intraductal papillomatosis with atypia and the surgical said no intraductal pap w any atypia. Also on the same report a paragraph above said papilloma. I told my doctor none of that made sense and he agreed. He said he would speak to the pathologist. I told him my symptoms came back 2 says after surgery along with nipple discharge. And the best part of it all is he didn't want to do an MRI because more spots may show up that could be benign. Just come back in 6 months for US. I was very upset. What do you all think? Oh, also said I am high risk but would just US every 6 months. Grrr...

BLinthedesert

6 month follow-up, with diagnositic mammogram/ultrasound is pretty standard for high risk patients.  MRI does have a lot of false positives ... personally, I would prefer less versus more ... "chasing cancer" is not fun (e.g., biopsies every 3-6 months for B9 things).   Unless you already have an invasive cancer, there is nothing that is going to change "that" quickly (and most of the lower grade invasive cancers don't change that rapidly).   

akc820608

My first lump was found in December, complex cyst, which was aspirated. 5 months later in the same spot (markers from previous biopsy were in middle of growth) and pathology found intraductal papillomatosis with atypia. So if none of your symptoms stopped would you just let it go until next appt? Just curious as to what others would do. Thank you!

BLinthedesert

Excision is a viable option (which you have had) with papillopmatosis with atypia.  

If you are questioning the diagnosis, then you can have your slides sent out for a 2nd pathology opinion.  There are many places that do this - the one I used is Vanderbilt University: http://www.breastconsults.com/patient_info/patients.cfm, but your BS office probably has some other referral agencies that they use.  Second opinions, especially for pathology, is commonplace - and most insurance covers it.  

 Good luck.

akc820608

Thank you for all your feedback, BLinthedesert!  Very helpful!!

Anonymous

akc-----it's quite possible that the papilloma with atypia that was first  seen on your biopsy was completely removed;  (so that no more was found during your excisional)-----it does happen that way sometimes. If that is what happened, then waiting 6 months to do another US  (or mammo) sounds  pretty reasonable. As  BLinthedese said, a 2nd opinion is always an option if you don't feel comfortable with the recommendations.

Anne 

mawhinney

What type of doctor are you seeing? If you are not already doing so, you should consult a breast specialist.  I was told to think of atypia as the stage before cancer. My biopsy showed only atypia but after a unilateral mx, DCIS was found throughout my breast. I like to be proactive and gladly follow through with screenings & recommended tests. I'd rather find "something" early before it has the opportunity to develop.  When your doctor recommends a test or procedure be sure to ask why the test is needed & how you will benefit from the test. Take care.