Spot on Mammogram, not showing on Ultrasound

TDM1975

Hello everyone, i have a question. I had my first mammogram about a month ago (i am 41) they called me back within a hour and said i needed to come back the following week for a diagnostic mammogram. they did the diagnostic and still see the spot. they showed me on the films and said that the radiologist was concerned and I needed to go to ultrasound. Well, the ultrasound was completely normal. they couldn't see the spot from mammogram at all. So the Radiologist said since they don't see it on ultrasound he recommends i just wait and have another diagnostic mammogram in 6 months. I am trying not to worry but i just hate not having an answer as to what it is. is it possible to have breast cancer and it not show on ultrasound? or am i just worrying myself for no reason? They did say i had dense tissue.

MTwoman

Hi TDM, so sorry you're finding yourself with so many unanswered questions. Have you gotten the official report yet? If so, if you post the specifics, we'll try to help you decipher it. In any case, mammograms and ultra sound technologies are better at detecting different types of phenomenon. They are used together to get the best combination of information. Sometimes, when even that combo leaves questions, an mri is recommended. Typically, the Radiologists are good at knowing what "looks suspicious" from what doesn't, but knowing exactly what he thought about it could be important when advocating for yourself. Did they give you a BIRADS score? or any other information? Try not to worry, but understanding WHY the radiologist isn't concerned may give you better peace of mind.

TDM1975

MT woman, thank you so much for responding. i did not get a copy of my report. i will call and request one, that is a great idea. My doctor's office followed up with me and all they said was. the findings were "PROBABLY" Benign but that i needed a follow up mammogram in 6 month to make sure there were no changes to the area in question. i don't want to make it a bigger deal than it is, but 'Probably" doesn't really give me peace of mind!

MTwoman

Your report will clearly state what they found, so that is important for you to get. It should also contain a BIRADS score, which comprises the following:

The BI-RADS assessment categories are:

• 0- incomplete
• 1-negative
• 2-benign findings
• 3-probably benign
• 4-suspicious abnormality
• 5-highly suspicious of malignancy
• 6-known biopsy with proven malignancy
  

Only a BIRADS 4 (sometimes with a, or b) calls for biopsy or other further assessment. That is the lowest score for which insurance will reimburse. Even with the BIRADS 4 abnormalities, 80% of them are benign upon biopsy. There are very specific criteria for defining the BIRADS scores, so look carefully at your report, and if something doesn't make sense to you, ask your doctor to go through it with you and explain. You can also copy portions of it here and the amazing experienced women (and men) of these boards will give you their understanding of what it is saying. Good luck!

Tresjoli2

it is possible to have cancer that shows up on a mammogram that does not show up on an ultrasound. Please get access to a copy of your report and find out your birads score. And don't be afraid to push for a biopsy now if you don't feel comfortable with the watch and wait approach.

worriedandscared

Hi, I am 40 and I had my first mammogram and I was called back and told that I have dense breast and needed breast ultrasound so a week later I got my breast ultrasound but its been over a week and I still don't know the results of my breast ultrasound, the place I got it done has policy where they don't give any results good or bad all results are sent to the DR, I have been calling my DR everyday and no callback with my results, I am worried sick of the results, When I got my mammogram my BIRAD was a 0, I was wondering if anyone had to go thru same thing, I am really worried

dtad

TDM1975...Hi there. You don't say how old you are but if you are young and/or have dense breasts you might want to ask for a beast MRI. They are the best screening tool for dense breasts. Good luck and keep us posted.