Troubling Ultrasound- need advice please!

rwtahir

Hello everyone,

Ive recently had some troubling ultrasound results and am contemplating what to do next. Meanwhile, I thought id share my story here to get some feedback and just get a load off my chest (and possibly get some advice).

Im 28 years right now and back in 2009, I was diagnosed with a fibroadenoma in my right breast (detected by a doctor during an annual physical exam). I became more aware of aches and pains and later the same year, I was diagnosed (ultrasound) with fibrocystic disease- having multiple cysts in both breasts. At the time, some doctors said I didnt need a biopsy, the ultrasound was good enough to prove it was a fibroadenoma while others said the best thing to do was to take it out. I decided to leave it in and monitor. Its been a few years since and nothing really changed. I did get ultrasounds done regularly to monitor it.

Two years back I moved to another country (courtesy: marriage) and started going to a new doctor. She insisted that I should get a fine needle biopsy done on my fibroadenoma. I did and the results confirmed that it was in fact a fibroadenoma. During this ultrasound guided needle test, the doctor saw two more fibroadenomas at the 1 'o clock position in the same breast. However, she said a needle test wasnt required and they looked like typical fibroadenomas...plus since i had one, i was likely to have more in the same breast. She told me to come back in a year and we could see whether the fibroadenoma had grown or changed and we could consider excision then. The year went by sooner than i thought...and i went for my ultrasound yesterday. The results have scared me: while the old fibroadenoma has not changed in size or position, I now have a total of 4 in the same breast! Furthermore, previously, the doctor had detected 2 fibroadenomas at the 1 o clock position but now the 1 o clock position appears to be clear and I have 3 (2 o clock, 4 o clock and 6 o clock). As always, multiple cysts detected in both breasts: 4 cysts in the right breast (couple with 4 fibroadenomas) and 6 cysts in the left breast!

I called my doctor in panic. However, she says thats its not unusual to have multiple fibroadenomas. She also said needle tests werent required and she was pretty confident that the ultrasound report shows benign fibroadenomas. I also discussed whether all these crazy growths increased my risk for cancer...and she said no. However, Im just confused. I dont know if i should insist on more tests or take a hiatus for 6 months to a year, as she recommended. I also have trouble believing this doesnt increase my chances for breast cancer.

Therefore, I thought id share my story here....get your opinion on this. There are people on this board who have gone through similar situations and taken tough decisions. Please let me know what you guys think!

p.s: no breast cancer history in my family. however, my 30-year old sister in law was diagnosed with breast cancer right after she delivered her first baby and her experience has petrified me!

Moderators

Hi rwtahir,

We are sorry that you are having so much stress with the fibroadenomas! If you trust your physician's assessment, we would recommend you follow it, or consult another doctor for a second opinion. Also, you may want to discuss any changes that you could make to reduce the risk of their development (e.g. are you taking the birth control pill, which has been discussed as possibly be connected to their development). Keep up with your follow up, and let's see if others have a different opinion.

Warmly,

The Mods

libra79

 hello rwtahir, your story sounds similar to work im currently going through. In December I was diagnose with two  fibroadenoma at the 9 and 11 o'clock positions went  last wk for a follow up ultrasound and diagnostic mammogram and they say something else at the 10 o'clock position. I feel ur concern they wanted me to wait for six months to see if there was any changes because they felt it was also a  fibroadenoma. But I am one of those person tht wry abt the smallest let things so I opted to go get a second opinion because I felt like six months is a long to be waiting I wnted to get a biopsy for it too. So the second doctor ended up talking  the radiologist so now I will be hving a biopsy which makes me feel a little better so if u feel tht getting a second opinion will ease ur mind I say do it

mothree

I think if you're uncomfortable waiting, you should insist on making sure for peace of mind, but it does sound like you may just be prone to getting these. I have one as well, and most likely have had more that I didn't know about. I have read that having them can increase our chances, but not sure if that is due to them turning cancerous, or mistaking one for the other. I have also read that they are more common in woman under 30 but I'm over 40 and was just diagnosed with one. Take care!