So scared again ....

Snowy899

in 2011 I was diagnosed with atypical hyperplasia.   In November 2011 I underwent a lumpectomy in each breast with no cancer found.  

My breast cancer specialist/surgeon recommended that I have an mri once a year ... And one mammogram a year ... Approximately six months apart.  Which I did ...  In January of last year 2013 ... They only did one view of the mammogram because the radiologist thought I was getting too many mammos.  I had a mri in June of 2013 and my doctor said all was fine.  In addition my dr did physical exams of my breast every six months.    

In July of 2013 I noticed a bit of discharge in one nipple ...I calls my doctor who reviewed my file and said that the mri did show a cyst close to the nipple and that it was probably leaking but that there was No cause for concern.  

On Wednesday I went for my annual mammo and this time they took the two views per breast ... The technician indicated that there was no change from previous time however yesterday I got a call back to get another mammo and ultrasound on Jan 22.   

I am beside myself in fear ....  I was up all night ... And am totally petrified.   What does it all mean ...  I thought MRIs were very thorough ....   what does it all mean 

Does this nipple discharge mean cancer?  What will the ultrasound show that the mri didn't?

Please help 

Thank you

Momcat1962

I had a mammo, ultrasound, and galactogram that all showed things as being "clear, just fine, looks good", etc..after having black discharge (positive for blood). .The MRI came back with a report of "proteinaceous debris"...I was told it was "probably just the blood". The BS doesn't like the wait-and-watch so she did an excision and lumpectomy and it turned out to be ADH. Well, that was in July and the black discharge is back and from a different duct now. The mammo was "clear"...haha...I have extremely dense breasts. I saw the BS and I am going to go ahead and have my annual mammo in April then a recheck MRI in June. So....I don't know WHAT is in the breast now. Message me anytime! I would love to keep updated! XO

Snowy899

thank you momcat for taking time to reply.  It means so much.

I am scared that the mri in June missed something ...  I trusted that it was a good diagnostic tool.  Now I am fearful .... I was comforted that the nipple discharge was really related to that identified cyst so this whole bit is just so disheartening and frightening.

I thank you again ...so much for reaching out.   

I will keep in touch 

I 

Silvermist

snowy899-

I am on the same mri/mammo schedule as you - every 6 mos- since I am high risk with family history. I think being checked so often is a good thing- if there is anything, they are sure to locate it - hopefully when it is small my dr says. Also, she had told me that mris often find things that are actually fine since it is such a sensitive machine. I am thinking about you- hoping the ultrasound shows nothing.

Snowy899

Silvermist ,  Thank you for  sending this.    It is gratefully received and much appreciated.  Everything you said is totally true.   I will keep in touch and thanks again.

Beesie

Does this nipple discharge mean cancer?  Most likely not.  Nipple discharge is one of the most common complaints from women about their breasts.  There are many benign conditions that can cause nipple discharge, and most often nipple discharge is not a sign of cancer.  Was there any blood in the discharge?

What will the ultrasound show that the mri didn't?  MRIs, mammograms and ultrasounds each use a different technology to 'see' into the breast.  Because of that, each 'sees' the breast tissue differently, and shows different things.  MRIs tend to be fairly good at identifying cysts.  Mammograms, on the other hand, can't distinguish between a cyst (which is fluid-filled) and a solid lump - mammos just show the lump.  Ultrasounds however are very good at 'seeing' cysts - they often clearly show the fluid inside the lump, identifying with certainty that mass is a cyst.

So, let me speculate here:  First, you know from the MRI that you have what appears to be a cyst near your nipple.  Your mammo most likely showed this cyst as being an unidentifiable mass - the mammo wouldn't be able distinguish this mass as being a cyst vs. something that might be solid.  So it could be that you are having the call-back and the ultrasound just to confirm that the mass is in fact the same cyst that was on your MRI.  It might be nothing more than that. In the past I've had MRIs that were followed up with an ultrasound for exactly that reason - just to confirm the findings with another screening modality.

Try not to worry and try not to jump to any conclusions.  Because you have atypical hyperplasia you get extra screenings and they are being extra careful.  That's good, but it also means because they are being overly cautious, you will have more call-backs than the average woman and you will be called back in situations where they might not call back someone who doesn't have atypical hyperplasia.  But having a call-back is a very long way from getting a diagnosis of breast cancer - most call-backs (93%) do not end up with a breast cancer diagnosis.

Good luck on the 22nd.  Try to think of this as the radiologist just being overly cautious, which is a good thing!

Snowy899

Bessie,   The tears were running down my cheeks by the time I finished reading your post.

I  cannot thank you enough for taking the time to reach out to me.  Your logic, knowledge and sensibility propped me up so very much and is so gratefully appreciated.  

Thank you again

brejim

I am going through the same thing as you. Just got a call back myself for another mammo tomorrow. I was so happy they had an appt and I don't have to wait. That's the hard part. Of course we all say try not to worry but we worry no matter what! I hope it all goes well for you!! Keep us posted?

Snowy899

all the best best for you tomorrow!   I will be thinking of you ...  

Please let us know?   

Snowy899

Bessie .... 

You were right ... Thank you.

And thank you to all of you who reached out to me ... Angels write here 

Hugs to you all