How normal is this? (Test results)

Kenda1L

Hi, I'm new here, and just got done having a mammogram for the first time. On the mammogram, the radiologist found a cyst (tech's word) which they wanted to look closer at so they did an ultrasound, but didn't find anything on that. They said they were going to classify it as a 3 and that I should come back in 6 months. My question is, how normal is it for them to find something suspicious on a mammogram but not an ultrasound?

A little background: I'm 31, and went in for an ultrasound because I found a lump in my right breast. They didn't see anything, but because of some posts I saw on here, plus the fact that my aunt has a lump they are monitoring, I insisted on a mammogram just to be sure (I actually had to fight my doctor on it! I was so angry. Anyways, I went back again and got the results from up above (Also, I apparently have fatty breasts, which is good I guess). Funny thing is, they still don't see anything where the lump I felt was; this is in a completely different area. I'm glad I insisted though, because otherwise who knows when I would have gone back for a mammogram otherwise(probably in 9 years when I was 40!)

I'm so glad I trusted my instincts. It's probably nothing, but it was a bad feeling that made me do a self exam when I hadn't done one in over a year, and it was a bad feeling that made me insist on looking further.

Anyways, done rambling, but yeah, how common is it to see something on a mammogram but not the ultrasound? I don't think it's palpable, so even if they wanted to, a biopsy is not likely an option.

LisaAlissa

Fairly common. Each imaging modality sees different "things." MRI, mammogram, ultrasound, etc. might all see different "things." It's one of the reasons they will often ask for a different imaging modality when they have minor concerns about something they've seen, but not sufficient concern to justify a biopsy.

On a first mammogram (when they don't have earlier imaging studies for comparison), it's actually fairly common for them to flag things that they'd like to take a look at, given a bit of time. When you go back, they'll be looking to see if it's changed from the first set of views.

They may well keep you on a semiannual screening schedule for a couple of years, before concluding that "there's nothing to see here...move along!" You'll have to ask your doctor what you can expect.

HTH,

LisaAlissa

Kenda1L

Thank you for the info! I wasn't expecting to have to worry about all of this for a while, so I'll admit my head is still spinning a bit. I'm definitely feeling much better now though, than I was this morning!

Thanks again!

Kendall