Waiting for ultrasound after mammogram please comment

Rayanne114

new here very glad to have found this forum. I'm 31 mom of two family history of bc. I found alump top of right breast months ago told myself I'd keep an eye on it then noticed breast changing shape slightly bulged out aeroela seems stretched on bottom. Fam Dr felt lump sent for mam within three days called and said apt for ultrasound made for this coming Friday. Secretary said report said incomplete and shows assymetry in upper right quadrant of right breast. I'm not one to panic but I now am aware of symptoms I've had for months extreme fatigue feelings of heaviness or slight ache In rt breast. Rt side of neck sore lumpy constant bouts of nausea, please any thoughts I had posted in a previous forum but think this is where I should've posted to begin with thank u in advance for any replies x

MelissaDallas

Most women with breast cancer, even advanced breast cancer, have no symptoms at all, so the nausea and fatigue are more likely to be something else

BarredOwl

Hi Rayanne114:

Was the mammogram you had a "Diagnostic Mammogram"? Anyway, it sounds as if they saw an asymmetry by mammography, but additional information is needed, so the area is to be further investigated by ultrasound. Waiting and wondering what could be going on during these diagnostic procedures is very stressful. But you will find some good support here.

Radiologists use certain criteria to categorize what they see on imaging and their recommendations for follow-up (BIRADs score or classification). Here is a summary chart from bc.org about it:

http://www.breastcancer.org/symptoms/testing/types...

Here is information from the American Cancer Society regarding how mammography results can be characterized:

http://www.cancer.org/treatment/understandingyourd...

If the BIRADs score is "0" (zero), that means that further information is needed, and that may be what the nurse meant:

"X-ray assessment is incomplete

Category 0: Additional imaging evaluation and/or comparison to prior mammograms is needed.

This means a possible abnormality may not be clearly seen or defined and more tests are needed, such as the use of spot compression (applying compression to a smaller area when doing the mammogram), magnified views, special mammogram views, or ultrasound.

This may also suggest that the mammogram should be compared with older ones to see if there have been changes in the area over time."

In the USA, we can request a copy of the written report of the radiologist from mammography, ultrasound or MRI imaging. These reports include a written description of the specific findings, may include a "BIRADs score" (see above), and may include recommendations regarding further assessments (e.g., additional imaging) or biopsy. You could ask for a copy.

If you have not discussed your symptoms of extreme fatigue, right side of neck sore and lumpy, and constant bouts of nausea with your family doctor, please call the office to report each symptom and ask if you need to be seen again, as they may be symptoms of something else.

I see you are in Nova Scotia. Perhaps some fellow Canadians will pop in.

BarredOwl

Rayanne114

thank u! Yes it was a diagnostic mammogram. My family doctor felt the lump and sent me for one. I can agree normally I wouldn't think much of the other symptoms my Dr basically said get this done this done first thenwe'll talk...but looking back it jus seems a little too coincidental. Also I'm well aware a lot of women do not have any symptoms but in reading thru these posts I've seen lots have had similar things happen