Core needle biopsy today and nodule disappeared.

Shayvoe

Had a core needle biopsy today on a 7 mm nodule I found two days before my scheduled yearly mamo. This was exactly one year to the month of having an atypical intraductal papilloma diagnosed in the same breast, which was surgically removed last April. The current nodule is in a completely different location than the papilloma was. This nodule is at the 12:00 position in the middle of the 4 quadrants, and very close to the surface, and the papilloma was at the 9:00 position much deeper and closer to the nipple.

The radiologist first tried to draw some fluid, but couldn't...said it was hard to get the needle in too. He then used the core needle and after one punch, the nodule completely disappeared. He and the tech both said they thought that was going to happen. He said it was probably a complex cyst. I was feeling really good when I left there as he seemed not to be concerned, but said I still need to follow up with my BS for the results on Wednesday. Thinking it was just a cyst and that cysts are not malignant, I was relieved, but after coming home and reading that complex breast cysts can be malignant, I am back to worrying again.

Anyone ever heard of a nodule disappearing after one punch, and is this a good thing?

MelissaDallas

Complex cysts are only associated with malignancy 1-2% of the time. You are likely just fine.

djmammo

Shayvoe

There is a semantic difference between "complicated" and "complex" cysts both on imaging and prognosis.

A complicated cyst is one with septations and contains mobile debris but no solid elements. By definition a true complicated cyst is benign.

A complex cyst is said to "contain solid elements" or is a "mass with both cystic and solid components". The solid portions are evaluated by Doppler to determine internal blood flow. These are eyed with suspicion especially if there is blood flow.

I have many times seen small masses/nodules completely disappear after the first pass with a spring loaded biopsy device. A complicated cyst that is so filled with debris that clear fluid cannot be visualized can have an identical appearance to a small solid mass. We always rechecked in 6 months however, just to be sure.