Radiologist told me it was cancer based on ultrasound

Fiddler

I had a follow-up ultrasound from my regular mammogram and the radiologist came right out and told me it was cancer. I said "I know you wouldn't say this if you weren't pretty sure," to which she agreed. They then put me into a rapid assessment and diagnosis program, I had a biopsy the very next day and then an MRI the day after that.

Now just waiting for biopsy results.....just wondering if anyone had ever had the radiologist say this just based on the ultrasound? She said the good things were it has not broken through the skin and they couldn't see anything in my lymph nodes. Tumour size is 1.8 cm.

I'm not as freaked out as most people would be because I have been living with a precancerous blood condition for many years which has been extremely difficult....however still a little freaked out that she said that just based on the ultrasound!!!!

tangandchris

Hello Fiddler-

Sorry you had the need to find us, but this is a great group to have for support.

When I had my diagnostic mammogram and US the radiologist told me on the spot it was cancer as well. He was right, the biopsy confirmed it.

Wishing you the best and sending you ((hugs))

Fiddler

Thanks for your reply! Well even though it agreed with my experience it was still good to hear it.

My first reaction when I left was so much anger...been dealing with this blood disorder for 16 years and now this! (It is the precursor condition to Multiple Myeloma, which if I only get a Stage 1 Breast Cancer diagnosis, would be far worse)
When I had my biopsy on Wednesday, it was the 7th one I have had...so of course from prior experience I know that the waiting for results is the worst part. At least they are being very quick which the opposite of all the other biopsies I've had.

So glad I have found this discussion board.

Merymete

Hi Fiddler and welcome! Yup, same thing happened to me. The radiologist took one look and diagnosed me. It was something about the cancer being well defined with feathery edges (!). It sounds like you've heard this a hundred times but this really is the hardest part. Once you and your doctors have a plan in place it gets SO much easier.

Hang in there!!

momand2kids

Hi

I did have a radiologist tell me before my biopsy that she was pretty sure it was breast cancer--but she also said--this is curable- you will do fine (which I totally needed to hear at that moment).... so, it was bc and I did get through it- now almost 8 years out!!! Best of luck--you will be able to handle whatever comes your way.

wallycat

I had 2 radiologists "guarantee" I did not have cancer. They were both wrong.

Fiddler

thanks everyone for the answers and support. The radiologist did try to emphasize the positives, there being so many strides in treatment, though I noticed she used the word "treatable" not " curable" Hoping that's not specifically about my case. I was actually very glad that she was honest and told me what she thought, giving me time to get used to the idea.

I've been trying to convince myself it will be a Stage 1 cancer but of course at times heading into panic thinking about the worst case scenarios.

Tomorrow I have an appointment with my family doctor, hoping she may have the biopsy results. (Tomorrow is Tuesday and biopsy was last Wednesday.) Friday I see the surgeon. This is all SO much faster than all the other tests and biopsies I've had so that is a blessing

Meow13

yes I was told after ultrasound.

debiann

I was also told it was cancer based on the ultrasound. In my case it was pretty evident just from the mammo. I took one look at the mammo and thought "oh that can't be good".

marie5890

Are there things seen on imagining that, based on a radiologist's experience, pretty much scream cancer? Yes, there are. And biopsies are the actual confirmation of that.

Smurfette26

I was also told directly after a diagnostic mammo and ultra sound. Though it was a Dr that told me, not a Radiologist.

The Dr said he was so certain that if the biopsy came back negative; he would re biopsy.

Of course it wasn't negative.

Kicks

Smurfette - the Radiologist is an MD (Doctor who is a specialist) the ones who do the initial scans/tests are Technicians - can NOT giive a DX. (pos or neg). Only the Radiologist (MD) can after the path. result is in. It takes a path. report to DX even when highly suspicious.

I was told by the Radiologist (MD who is a Specialist, not a Tech) that he felt sure that it was IBC and needed to do biopsies then. It takes biopsies to confirm cancer. I left there about 3 that Thurs afternoon and he called me at 8 the next morning with the path. results - as expected IBC.

Smurfette26

The Dr who gave me my results was a specialist breast surgeon and went on to perform my mastectomy.

He definitely knew what he was looking at.

Momof4gramof3

I wasn't told directly at the time of my ultrasound. It came in the report of my ultrasound and the radiologist stated that there was a >95% chance that it was malignant. I had my biopsy one week later and he was correct. It was small and according to my breast surgeon, had very subtle markings, but he noticed it and made the call. I am a fortunate woman to have had such a superb radiologist read the ultrasound. I guess not all of them would have seen it. In fact, I was told that the hospital used my ultrasound during radiology rounds one day as an example of subtle changes that can be really important.

Fiddler

so I saw my family doctor today but she did not have the results of either the biopsy or the MRI. She read me the radiology report from the ultrasound. There is a smaller mass adjacent to the tumour which is "highly suspicious" and also "debris going up the duct." So these two things made me really nervous as I was hoping it would just be a lumpectomy, I'm now worried they will recommend a mastectomy. By the time I see the surgeon on Friday she will have the test results. Also my family doc said the surgeon I am seeing is excellent so that made me feel better.

I think it will be a long two days. I've told my two kids but have not told my parents and siblings as I want to know more when I talk to them. Dreading that phone call.

Fiddler

Oh, and also she said on the biopsy they did not take anything from the smaller mass and the surgeon will need to biopsy that as well....so it is called "multi focal" (also adding to my nervousness)

Smurfette26

Thinking of you Fiddler.

I had multi focal disease. Unfortunately mastectomy was my only surgical option. Hoping that's not the case for you.